Foot Anstey, the South West and South of England-focused law firm with an office in Bristol, has expanded its geographic reach and strengthened one of its key specialisms by acquiring part of Clarke Wilmott’s intellectual property (IP) team.
The deal includes Clarke Wilmott partner and head of IP Roy Crozier, who has worked for the firm for 12-and-a-half years, and his team of four experts based in Manchester. 
The team has significant experience in contentious and non-contentious IP law and has acted for many of the world’s best-known brands, fashion houses and businesses in the retail sector, which is a core focus for Foot Anstey.
Roy and his colleagues will boost Foot Anstey’s IP team, headed by partner Paul Cox, which itself has gone from strength-to-strength over the past five years.
It acts for many national and international clients, such as Wise Payments, which it advised on its worldwide rebrand.
Foot Anstey managing partner Martin Hirst, pictured, said the acquisition was testament to the firm’s strategy to enhance its reputation as a growing high-quality national law firm. 
“This is an exciting time to be welcoming Roy and his team to the firm to strengthen our IP offering to clients in one of our focus sectors,” he added.
“Not only is this acquisition a strong strategic fit for us, but it is our first hub based outside of the South and South West, which presents many opportunities.”
Roy Crozier, who trained and worked with Paul Cox at London firm Baker McKenizie, said he and his team were “very excited” to be joining Foot Anstey’s IP team and be part of the firm’s next stage of growth.
“I know that the merging of the two practices will be a great success,” he added.
Foot Anstey, which also has offices in Exeter, London, Plymouth, Southampton, Taunton and Truro, advises clients in sectors spanning development, energy and infrastructure to Islamic finance and retail and consumer.
Clarke Willmott has offices in Bristol – where it employs around 300 staff, including more than 40 partners – Birmingham, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.
