Issue 3 2019

Acquisition International - Issue 3 2019 47 1808AI28 ollen Michelmore is one of the leading law firms in Devon, with offices in Torquay, Exeter, Dartmouth, Newton Abbot and Barnstaple. The firm has a love for Devon, as well as a passion for the work it does, as Chief Executive Officer, Chris Hart, explains. “We’ve been serving the Devon legal community for the last 150 years and during the last decade we’ve grown significantly,” he begins. “We now have six offices that stretch from coast to coast in Devon and we employ 185 staff.” The services offered by Wollen Michelmore have been recognised externally as in 2017 the firm was nationally acclaimed on two occasions. In October, the Law Society’s prestigious Excellence Awards took place at the Hilton, Park Lane in London where the firm’s Private Client team was awarded the Excellence in Private Client Practice award distinguishing the team as England and Wales’s industry best. The firm was also shortlisted for Excellence in Law Management and Wollen Michelmore Partner, Rachel Carter, was shortlisted in the Solicitor of the Year – Private Practice category. In 2018, the firm was once again shortlisted for Law Firm of the Year by the Law Society and won Law Firm of the Year at the Devon and Somerset Law Society Legal Awards. More recently, Wollen Michelmore, and in particular Chris Hart, has been awarded the prestigious title of UK CEO of the Year 2018 – Legal Services in the 2018 Global Excellence Awards. “But it’s not just about winning awards, or expanding our brand,” elaborates Chris. “It’s about harmony and lasting connections. It’s about working with you in the community, it’s about helping protecting, fighting, and serving you. It’s about being known here in Devon as Devon’s own.” WollenMichelmore is a very activemember of the local community and sponsor many local clubs, events and sports teams. One of its many sponsorships includes Western Storm, Somerset County’s women’s cricket team. The team won the KIA Super League Tournament in 2017 when The Firm were back of shirt sponsors. Since their rise to success, the firm announced their new deal as front of shirt sponsors for years 2018 and 2019. Chris tells us more about his time with the firm and his rise to the position he currently occupies. “I joined the firm in 1986 and became a partner in 1992. Initially specialising in commercial litigation, I became the firm’s Managing Partner in 1999 and am now Wollen Michelmore’s Chief Executive. I have specialist expertise in licensing and gambling work and in the field of commercial contract drafting.” Chris is also the Honorary Secretary of the Devon and Somerset Law Society and a past President of the Devon and Exeter Law Society. In We speak to Chief Executive, Chris Hart, of Devonshire Law Firm Wollen Michelmore about his time with the firm and how it endeavours to uphold the local community. Community Spirit W Company: Wollen Michelmore March 2016, he was awarded the Leader/Law Manager of the Year at the inaugural Devon and Somerset Law Society awards, and he is the immediate past Chair of the Law Society’s Law Management Section and continues to sit on the LMS Committee. “I have a keen interest in the tourism industry of the English Riviera and Devon generally,” he continues. “I am the former Chair of the English Riviera Tourism Company and now sit on the board of the English Riviera BID. I am also a member of the Executive of the Torbay Business Forum, and a member of the Devon and Cornwall Committee of Somerset County Cricket Club.” In what little leisure time Chris has, he is an enthusiastic follower of football (supporting West Ham United and Torquay United) as well as enjoying cricket (being President of South Devon Cricket Club). “It’s about working with you in the community, it’s about helping protecting, fighting, and serving you. It’s about being known here in Devon as Devon’s own.”