England - South West • Private client
Clarke Willmott LLP
Clarke Willmott LLP fields ‘a first-rate team of contentious probate lawyers’. The practice benefits from close relationships with the agriculture litigation team and private wealth team to offer clients a fully comprehensive legal service. The team is led by Bonita Walters and Esther Woolford; Walters has over 20 years of experience, with specific expertise in complex succession disputes, while Woolford is an expert in contentious probate matters concerning agricultural estates.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Sarah O’Grady and Esther Woolford are both outstanding in skill and manner with client.’
‘Polly Ridgeway is excellent and marshalled the case to the Supreme Court.’
‘A first-rate team of contentious probate lawyers.'
‘Bonita Walters and Esther Woolford are very experienced and provide an excellent service in contentious probate disputes and Court of Protection work. They have a team of excellent and experienced lawyers, including Emma Ironside, who stands out as a top performer in this sector along with Robert Mullen.’
‘A team which is going from strength to strength as a result of its genuine expertise and strong leadership.’
‘Bonita Walters is a leader in her field. She knows the law inside out and is one of the toughest negotiators I have seen. Highly recommended.’
‘Rob Mullen is fantastically hardworking and all over the detail. Gets to grips with the knotty legal issues. Fights his clients' corner and good in a mediation.'
‘Esther Woolford is superb: technically excellent, sound commercial judgment and lovely client handling skills. Bonita Walters is a highly experienced contentious trust and probate specialist, and she is a very safe pair of hands. Emily Jenkins is making a name for herself in her efficient handling of complex trust dispute matters.’
Key clients
- Andrew Guest
- The National Farmers’ Union
- The Countryside Alliance
Work highlights
- Advised on a proprietary estoppel claim brought by our client, Andrew Guest, against his parents for an equitable interest in the family farm (Tump Farm) and the farming business carried on there.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Bonita Walters, Esther Woolford