M4 corridor law firm Thrings, which has an office in Bristol, has appointed two partners to its new Southampton base.
Initially focused on agriculture, landed estates and private client work, the office is a key part of Thrings’ ambitious expansion plans to address changes in the legal market.
The firm, which also has offices in Bath, Swindon and London, sees a gap in the market on the South Coast and the South East, where it already has strong links with the farming community and is a member of the NFU legal panel for seven counties.
Joining the new office are rural and agriculture specialist Mark Charter and private client expert Rachel Brooks, who both previously worked in Southampton for regional law practice Blake Morgan.
Thrings said they would use their combined expertise and complementary skills to provide a complete service package to clients requiring legal support in the closely related practice areas of agriculture, landed estates and private affairs.
Mark Charter, who was real estate partner at Blake Morgan and led its rural and agriculture team, specialises in the sale and acquisition of estates, farms and equine property, landlord and tenant issues and rural business structures, and property work associated with tax and estate planning arrangements.
He also acts for large agri-businesses, landowning organisations and government bodies.
Rachel was a partner and head of succession and tax at Blake Morgan and, with Mark, led its estates and farms sector team.
She is a private client specialist with a focus on agriculture, landed estates and tax planning. With extensive experience of drafting wills and the administration of complex estates, tax planning and trusts, Rachel has also acted as a deputy, executor, trustee and attorney for a range of clients.
Their arrival further strengthens Thrings’ specialist agriculture team – the largest of any UK law firm. Mark and Rachel will also work closely with the corporate, commercial, family and private client teams in the firm’s other offices.
Mark said: “Thrings is a well-established law firm in the South of England that has developed a reputation for consistently providing first-class legal advice to clients.
“The firm’s ethos of building and maintaining long-term relationships, both with clients and professional colleagues, is one which Rachel and I share. We are very much looking forward to continuing our working relationship, complementing Thrings’ offering and taking it to clients in Hampshire and the surrounding area.”
Rachel said: “Mark and I are very pleased to be joining Thrings, and to be adding our knowledge and experience to its existing agriculture and landed estates practice.
“The firm has a strong presence in London and the South West, and we are tremendously excited to have the opportunity to contribute to its geographical expansion and play a key role in the ongoing provision of specialist legal advice to new and existing clients.”
Thrings managing partner Simon Holdsworth added: “Mark and Rachel are hugely experienced, highly regarded legal professionals, whose cross-discipline expertise will enable Thrings to build on the strong links it has in the region, strengthen its national reputation as agriculture experts, and complement the firm’s landed estates and private client offering in the south of England.
“The opening of a new office in Southampton is very much part of the firm’s strategic plan for growth and increasing its geographical presence.
“Mark and Rachel will use their extensive knowledge and experience to expand Thrings’ high-quality client base, bring a substantial caseload of existing clients, and work collaboratively with their colleagues across the firm to provide a seamless, integrated legal service.”
Thrings is expected to announce details of further appointments at the Southampton, which is on the city’s International Business Park, in the coming months.
Blake Morgan also has offices in Cardiff, London, Oxford, Portsmouth and Reading.
Pictured, from left: New arrivals Mark Charter and Rachel Brooks with and Thrings managing partner Simon Holdsworth
