Two law firms with major offices in Bristol have been reappointed by the National Farmers Union (NFU) to its legal panel of expert law firms following an extensive re-selection process.
Foot Anstey and Clarke Willmott will work closely with the NFU to support its 9,000 farming member businesses in the South West. 
Foot Anstey will be the nominated panel firm for members in Devon and Cornwall while Clarke Willmott will continue to cover Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
The service will encompass all areas of law relevant to farming and growing, including succession planning, diversification, renewable energy, dispute resolution, planning, probate, family and conveyancing.
Legal advice from Foot Anstey, which also has offices in Exeter, London, Plymouth, Southampton, Taunton and Truro, will be led by partner Edward Venmore, who is the firm’s head of farms, estates and rural land, along with experts from its private wealth team.
Edward, pictured, said: “We are thrilled to be reappointed to the NFU’s legal panel. With experts in the farming sector across the firm we are well placed to provide pragmatic legal advice and have a deep understanding of what the NFU’s members need to support them in their business and personal affairs.”
The firm recently launched a podcast series called Experts in the Field to support farmers and landowners with topical insights to help address the challenges they face and to make the most of opportunities available to them.
The team at Clarke Willmott, which also has offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton, is led by its head of the agriculture Esther Woolford, pictured.
She said: “We have been on the NFU panel since its inception, and we are delighted to have been renewed for a further three years.
“This reflects our excellent relationship with the NFU generally and recognises the strength of the specialist legal offering Clarke Willmott has and can provide to the agricultural community. It highlights our status as one of the largest agriculture teams in the country.”
The NFU legal panel is recognised as a vital part of the services made available to NFU members, offering a total discount of more than £500,000 to its members in the past financial year
South West NFU director Melanie Squires said: “Our legal panel firms are an important part of the service we offer to our farmers.
“We work closely with them throughout the year and very much welcome the re-appointment of Foot Anstey and Clarke Wilmott and the continuation of our relationship for the benefit of members.”
