National law firm Clarke Willmott has taken on two new partners in its Bristol office to bolster its fast-growing housebuilder and financial litigation teams.
Alistair Wallworth is a commercial property partner with a focus on residential development and strategic land while experienced litigator Darren Kidd specialises in high-value and complex disputes.
Alistair, pictured, who was previously a partner at Thrings in Bristol and has also worked at Hill Dickinson, joins a team that offers expertise in areas spanning land buying, planning and construction to site set-up and plot conveyancing.
It is regarded as a leading adviser to the residential development sector, acting for many of the UK’s largest volume housebuilders as well as for strategic land companies, smaller traditional builders and niche start-up ventures.
Clarke Willmott commercial property partner Philip Thompson, who heads the housebuilder team, said Alistair was client-focused, energetic and commercially minded solicitors and, as such, was an excellent addition to the team.
“As a firm, we act for some of the nation’s largest housebuilders and we are continually expanding our practice to meet demand,” he added.
Darren, pictured, who will also work from Clarke Willmott’s London office, has experience across a broad range of domestic and international matters, including in the areas of banking/financial services, fraud, insolvency, professional negligence and tax.
He has acted for a variety of clients, including high net worth individuals, airlines, banks, financial authorities, hedge funds, insolvency practitioners, insurance companies, law firms, telecommunications companies and trustees.
At his previous firm Stewarts, Darren’s caseload included advising more than 350 individuals, a number of them well-known personalities, in group litigation involving claims in fraudulent misrepresentation, conspiracy and negligence against various parties including a number of large banks.
The claims arose from investments in various tax-efficient investment vehicles focused on films and video games. The case was listed in The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2018 and 2022.
Darren said: “Clarke Willmott’s financial services litigation team has a strong track record in resolving financial services disputes for clients, and I am looking forward to developing the varied and often complex cases the firm handles.”
Clarke Willmott partner and managing director Philippa Hann added: “We’re delighted to have Darren join our busy and growing team.
“We go to great lengths to fully understand the regulatory environment and markets in which our clients operate, and I know Darren has a firm grasp on this as well as a commercial appreciation that sets him apart.
“He will be a great asset to our clients and the wider team alike, particularly in this, our 135th anniversary year, which promises to be busy and exciting.”
Clarke Willmott also offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.
