Law firm Ashfords’ private wealth offering in Bristol has been boosted with the arrival of Mike Westbrook as a partner in its trusts and estates team.
Mike, pictured, is SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) regulated, having qualified in 2008. Not only is he a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 directory, but also a full member of the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Mike’s arrival from Thrings, where he spent just under six years, strengthens Ashfords’ expanding Bristol office, bringing expertise of strategic Inheritance Tax and succession planning advice to its private wealth team.
Having also worked at Burges Salmon and Trethowans, he has wide experience in advising landowners, of landed estates and farmers/rural business owners, around strategic land, including Inheritance Tax issues and tax-efficient structuring on solar leases and land sales, such as land pooling and cross-options.
In addition to this, Mike advises entrepreneurs, family and rural businesses and landed estates on Wills, Trusts and pre and post-business sale estate planning.
This includes family investment companies and family partnerships. He also advises on business exits, including employee ownership trusts and inheritance tax planning around ownership prior to sale.
Mike said: “I am delighted to be joining Ashfords, to assist with the growth of the excellent private wealth offering in Bristol. It is a very exciting opportunity for me to develop and grow my practice in Bristol with the support of the very strong team in Exeter, London and Plymouth.”
Ashfords partner and head of the private wealth division Michael Alden said: “We’re thrilled to have Mike join the firm. His knowledge and expertise will be an excellent addition to the trusts and estates team, as we continue to provide our clients with an outstanding service.”
Alongside Mike’s appointment, Ashfords’ private wealth offering in Bristol has grown substantially over the last year with several senior appointments including Hannah Brittain (senior associate) into the disputed wills and trusts team and Katie Shire (senior associate) and Anca Seifer (associate) joining the residential and rural team.
The team has a longstanding history of advising a wide range of individuals and their families helping them to manage often complex estates and businesses interests so that wealth is protected today and for future generations.
Ashfords, which employs more than 500 people and also has offices in London, Exeter and Plymouth, is part way through a five-year strategy focused on growing its core legal advisory work for commercial, real estate and private clients.
