Leading law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has been appointed to the panel of legal advisors for footwear manufacturer and retailer, Clarks, to support the management of their national retail portfolio and is one of the two firms dealing with legal matters throughout England and Wales.

Clarke Willmott will be advising on property issues for the business that designs, manufactures, and sells more than 40 million pairs of shoes a year.

The shoe retailer, founded in 1825 by brothers Cyrus and James Clark in Street, Somerset, has 1,150 branded stores and franchises in 80 countries around the world.

Amanda French, commercial property partner and head of retail and leisure sector at Clarke Willmott, said the appointment was proof of the firm’s high standing in the sector.

“Our experience in the retail and leisure sector, acting for brands such as Lidl and Burger King for more than 15 years, means we understand the challenges and pressures businesses in this sector face. We are also delighted with the symmetry between ourselves and Clarks. Like them, we were founded in Somerset, just a few years later in 1888, and continue to have an office there today.”

Andrea Livingstone, a commercial property partner who recently joined Clarke Willmott and will lead on the Clarks relationship said: “I am delighted to be able to continue my 10-year relationship with Clarks. The Clarke Willmott commercial property team has an excellent reputation and a fantastic client base, and I am thrilled to be able to carry on supporting Clarks in managing its property portfolio alongside members of this team.”

In recent months, Clarke Willmott’s commercial property team has worked with clients including Cornish Bakery, Fat Face, Turtle Bay and Farrow & Ball.

Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton, and Taunton and is this year celebrating its 135th anniversary.