Phil Brown has been appointed the new head of office for the Taunton branch of national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP.
A partner in Clarke Willmott’s commercial property team, Phil undertakes a wide range of property work with a particular emphasis on commercial and residential development, acting for both landowners and developers in relation to both immediate and strategic development projects.
He joined the firm in January 2012 and was made a partner in 2015, assuming full equity membership in 2019.
Phil succeeds clinical negligence partner Chris Thorne, who took over the role in 2019 and steered the Taunton office through the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as overseeing a refurbishment process at the site in Blackbrook Business Park that has led to the creation of a low carbon environment fit for the new era of hybrid working.
With more than 190 staff and 22 partners, Clarke Willmott’s Taunton office is known in particular for its expertise in commercial property (and particularly development), agriculture, debt recovery and private client work, advising clients across the South West and nationally.
On taking over the head of office role, Phil said: “I am delighted to be appointed to this important role at an exciting time for the office and the firm generally, and thank Chris exiting the role with the office in a healthy position.
“As we continue our exit from restrictions brought about by the pandemic and settle into our new office environment, while simultaneously embracing hybrid working practices, there has never been a better time to drive forward our strategy as a Taunton partnership. While our local partnership may have changed over the years that I have been with the firm the strategy remains the same; to continue to embed ourselves in our local community and to support individuals and businesses, both big and small, local and national, by the provision of the very best legal advice at a competitive rate.
“I look forward to working with my partners to ensure the continued success of our Taunton offering.”
Clarke Willmott CEO Stephen Rosser said: “Having been established for more than 125 years, Taunton is the firm’s second largest office. I would like to thank Chris for successfully steering it through the last three challenging years and look forward to Phil being able to build on the foundations made.”