New partner hire strengthens Mills & Reeve’s family and children team
Matt Heyworth joins from BDB Pitmans, Reading, and is a leading family lawyer who specialises in complex cases involving business interests, trusts, foreign assets and property portfolios. His arrival coincides with principal associate, Claire Burton and associate, Kerry Haugh, also from BDB Pitmans.
Matt is ranked highly in leading legal directories, Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, who note that he “provides an excellent divorce and family disputes service, giving practical advice, wide experience and an empathetic approach to the client.” He was also recommended as one of the ‘Best Family Lawyers for High Net-Worth Clients’ in the Spear’s Family Law Index 2022 and praised by clients for his “expertise and tactical, focused approach”.
Matt will support Mills & Reeve’s private wealth sector growth in Oxfordshire, and the wider Thames Valley region, following the opening of the firm’s seventh UK office in Oxford last year.
Claire Burton is highly recommended by Legal 500 and known for her expertise in complex private law children cases. Kerry Haugh is commended by clients for being “exceptionally knowledgeable and competent” across all family law matters.
Tim Whitney, current head of family in Mills & Reeve’s Oxford office, said: “As we prepare to celebrate Mills & Reeve’s first anniversary in Oxford, it is incredibly exciting to welcome Matt, Claire and Kerry to the team. They are three very talented additions to our nationally recognised family and children team and bring a wealth of experience across all areas of family law, as well as a breadth of local knowledge to provide outstanding service to clients.”
Peter McLintock, head of Mills & Reeve’s Oxford office, said: “I’m so pleased Matt, Claire and Kerry have joined our Oxford office. Their arrival further supports our ambitions to create strong sectors and build on the successful private wealth work we have done in the region over recent years.
“Our central focus for Oxford is delivering outstanding service to our clients. Matt and his team joining Mills & Reeve provides a really exciting opportunity for our newest office and I look forward to working with them all.”
Matt said: “In my opinion, Mills & Reeve has one of the finest family teams in the country. It was, therefore, an easy decision for me, Claire and Kerry to agree to join this innovative and client focussed firm. We are very much looking forward to working with our new colleagues to continue the growth of the Oxford office and provide outstanding service to our clients who come to us from across the Home Counties and London as well as internationally.”
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