Chambers & Partners singled out FBC Manby Bowdler’s Anne Thomson, who is Head of the Family department based in Telford, and Elizabeth Cleverley, a Partner in the same team in Shrewsbury, for the honour in its 2016independent guide to law firms.
Steven Corfield, Head of Agricultural & Rural Services for FBC Manby Bowdler, and his colleague Sarah Baugh, a lawyer in the same department, were also named as “notable practitioners”.
It is not the first time the duo, who are based at the firm’s regional office at Juneau House on Shrewsbury Business Park, have been ranked in the guide, which covers more than 70 specialist areas of law. Only the top lawyers in their sector are chosen for the prestigious Notable Practitioners list.
FBC Manby Bowdler retained its top Band 1 rankings for its Agricultural and Rural Services and Family departments and attained a Band 1 ranking for its Private Client team in the ‘Shrewsbury and Surrounds’ area for the first time.
Wolverhampton based partners Tracy Worthington, who is head of the Employment Department, and Head of Litigation Guy Birkett, were also on the Chambers list of notable practitioners.
FBC Manby Bowdler Kim Carr said: “To have four Shropshire partners listed in Chambers is a great achievement for them and FBC Manby Bowdler.
“This is validation of their expertise and commitment to the delivery of a stellar customer service as it is based on independent research and customer feedback.”
About Anne Thomson
Anne qualified as a solicitor in 1986. Since 1988, Anne has specialised in family work and has headed a rapidly expanding Family department since 1992.
Anne deals with all aspects of the breakdown of relationships including cases involving jointly owned assets and complex commercial issues involving family companies, farming cases and disposal of pensions. Anne is recognised as the leading matrimonial Solicitor in the region. Anne also sits as a Deputy District Judge.
The Chambers listing says: Anne offers experience in matrimonial finance issues relating to areas such as prenuptial agreements, farming cases and businesses. Clients describe her as "unbelievably dedicated and very knowledgeable," noting: "She was supportive of my situation and emotional state. She was fantastic and I would recommend her to anyone."
About Elizabeth Cleverley
Elizabeth joined the firm as a Partner in June 2007, specialising in divorce and other family matters. She came from an agricultural practice in Suffolk where she gained vast experience dealing with farming cases.
Elizabeth has over 30 years' experience in family law and obtained a Masters Degree in Law (LLM) in 2000. She deals with all types of family matters with particular expertise in high value divorce cases including family trusts and nuptial agreements. She has considerable experience in cases involving businesses and has specialist knowledge in farming cases.
The Chambers listing says: Elizabeth’s expertise includes civil partnerships and prenuptial agreements, as well as farming cases. According to one client, she is "very knowledgeable" and "answered any questions I had with a well-rounded and sensible answer."
About Steven Corfield
A solicitor since 1981 and a partner at FBC Manby Bowdler since 1992, Steven offers a wide range of advice on all property related matters with an agricultural bias.
Head of the Firm’s Agricultural & Rural Services Team Steven is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association, the highest specialist qualification that the organisation grants.
Steven has built up an equine side to his legal practice acting for a number of trainers and sits on the Shropshire and National and Parliamentary Committees of the Country Landowner’s Association.
The Chambers listing says: Clients say he is "very personable" and "able to instantly grasp any issues raised." He is noted for his specialist advice on matters combining aspects of commercial and agricultural property law.
About Sarah Baugh
A Law and French graduate of Birmingham University, Sarah joined FBC Manby Bowdler in May 2012. Shespecialises in all aspects of property based agricultural and landed estate work.
Sarah provides clients with a detailed knowledge and understanding of matters arising in the acquisition and disposal of freehold land as well as agricultural, residential or business leasehold matters with particular emphasis on Agricultural Holding Act tenancies, estate management, refinancing, subsidy advice and agri-environmental schemes.
She has built her reputation acting as legal adviser to some of the largest landed estates across the Midlands and into Wales as well as multi generational family farmers in reorganising their farming business structures and partnerships. Sarah is a member of the Law Society and Chair of the Staffordshire Committee of the Country Landowner and Business Association (CLA). She also serves on the CLA’s National Legal, Parliamentary and Property Rights Sub Committee.
A longstanding member of the Agricultural Law Association, Sarah successfully completed the organisation’s Fellowship examinations in 2012.
The Chambers listing says: Clients consider her "very experienced particularly in agriculture-related tax matters."
