A leading regional law firm has boosted its Private Client team with the appointment of two new partners.
Awen Mellick and Stuart Crippen are the newest members of the Private Client team at Thrings, which works across the five main UK offices of the firm in Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Southampton and London.
Formerly an associate, Awen was also a succession and tax team manager at regional law practice, Blake Morgan. In addition to advising on estate and succession planning matters, she also specialises in the administration of high-value and complex estates through intestacy and probate.
Having been ranked by Legal 500 as a ‘leading individual’ in the field of personal tax, trusts and probate, Awen also has experience of putting protective trusts in place for clients who have received personal injury compensation.
Commenting on her enthusiasm for the Bristol based role, Awen stated: “Increasingly, clients are seeking genuine, transparent and trusting organisations to help them deal with their private legal affairs. Thrings is a firm that truly recognises the importance of long-term relationships, and I am looking forward to working with like-minded people who advise their clients in a supportive, compassionate and sensitive way.”
Previously working for Thrings as a private client solicitor between 2009 and 2011, Stuart has made a return to the firm’s London office. He’s made the move from Mischon De Reya, a City-based firm where he worked in the private tax group as managing associate.
Stuart is known as an expert in wealth planning and personal taxation and has also had his work recognised by the Legal 500. With his practice covering UK and offshore tax as well as trust and estate planning, Stuart has a specific interest in contentious probate work and the UK tax aspects of resolving estate and trust disputes. He is also a full member of the worldwide body for trust and estate professionals, STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).
He stated: “Thrings is a dynamic and ambitious firm which has experienced rapid growth over the last few years. I am tremendously excited about the wealth of opportunities here, and to have the chance to engineer the expansion of Thrings’ private client offering while building on the firm’s strong reputation for giving clients the very best service.”
Signifying the most recent stage in the continuing expansion of Thrings’ Private Client team, the appointments follow the arrival of agriculture, landed estates and tax planning partner Rachel Brooks from Blake Morgan. This is in addition to Michael Westbrook, tax planning and trusts partner from Burges Salmon as well as experienced legal and tax professional, Stephen Horton from Kings Court Trust.
Things’ head of Private Client, Fiona Kellow, added: “We are very pleased to welcome Awen and Stuart and see them strengthen our burgeoning Private Client team. In addition to their vast experience and extensive referrer groups in the south of England and Wales, both will continue to nurture and grow their respective networks while working closely with Thrings’ commercial teams to offer tax and planning advice to private clients.
“As a result of ongoing investment in clients, our Private Client teams continue to prosper, anticipating and responding to the ever-changing legal needs of landed families, agricultural clients, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals and other private individuals across the country.”
