Weightmans hires top Private Client lawyer

National law firm Weightmans LLP has hired Richard Bate as Partner in Manchester to head up the wills, tax, trusts and probate team.

Formerly a Partner at Brabners where he was Head of Private Client in Manchester, Richard specialises in estate planning, focusing on Wills, Trust creation and administration, Power of Attorney and Probate work.

Richard brings a wealth of expertise to Weightmans, advising the firm’s commercial as well as individual client base. Noted by legal directories Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners UK as a specialist in this area, Richard advises owner-managed businesses, wealthy individuals and a number of high-profile sportsmen and well-known entertainers on estate planning issues.

Richard acts as a professional executor and trustee for various family trusts and has also been the High Court-appointed independent administrator in complex contentious Probate matters.

He joins Weightmans as the firm announces an ambitious restructure and five year strategy, with Private Client identified as one of six key client markets for growth.

Partner Carole Atkinson said:

“Richard is a highly respected individual, well known for his work across the North West and further afield. He is an extremely strong addition to the team and we are delighted to have him on board as we continue to build our Private Client offering across the UK.”

Richard added:

“Weightmans is an ambitious firm with a growing Private Client team and client base – their client care and success rate is commendable and I’m delighted to be joining at such an exciting time for both the team and the firm as a whole.”

The news comes during a positive period for the Weightmans Private Client team, as James Knowles has been made up to Partner in the latest round of firmwide promotions, and solicitor Linzi Perriman joined the team in March 2017.