Thrings Appoints New Partner

Thrings appoints tax planning and trusts specialist Michael Westbrook as partner.

Leading law firm Thrings has added to its tax planning and trusts offering with the appointment of Michael Westbrook as partner.

Joining from Burges Salmon, Michael brings a wealth of experience gained from his 12 years of law practice. Michael will draw on his expertise in strategic tax and estate planning for family business owners, entrepreneurs, landowners and farmers to advise on a wide range of private client issues. 

Thrings’ corporate and commercial teams and their clients will also benefit from further specialist advice on cross-cutting matters. These include the availability of tax reliefs, gifting, the setting up and restructuring of trusts, as well as advice on wealth planning structures such as family companies and partnerships.

Michael is based at Thrings' Queen Square offices in central Bath. He will be working closely with recently-appointed estate management senior executive, Stephen Horton, as part of the Bath-based private client team led by tax and trusts director, Michael Young, and private client director, Ann Carlton.

Although focusing on clients across Bath, Bristol, Swindon and the south west, Michael will also collaborate with colleagues in London and in the firm’s recently-established Southampton office. The new Hampshire practice is being led by Rachel Brooks and Mark Charter, specialists in private client affairs and the management of landed estates, rural and agricultural matters.

Michael said: “Thrings enjoys a great reputation for private client work and I am very excited about being able to build on that, providing top quality advice to our clients on their private wealth planning matters. 

“It is a very interesting time in the world of tax and estate planning, with high-profile tax-avoidance cases hitting the headlines often. As a result, there’s mounting public pressure to change legislation and we can see more complicated rules emerging.  It is therefore hugely important that people know where they stand in the current climate and what their options are.”

Thrings managing partner, Simon Holdsworth, said: “Michael Westbrook is a high-calibre lawyer with a great deal to offer our private and commercial clients. His expertise complements that of our new office in Southampton, further expanding Thrings’ specialism in private financial matters, landed estates and tax in the south of England.”