Praised by clients for its 'high-quality, strategic advice with exceptional service', Addleshaw Goddard works with a host of major corporates on big-ticket transactions across a host of sectors. UK M&A head Chris Taylor is the key contact for a number of the firm's leading clients, particularly in consumer goods, life sciences, and renewable energy. Noted for his considerable takeover experience, Simon Wood's recent engagements cover the transport and real estate sectors.  Other key practitioners include Ben Koehne and Hugh Lauritsen, who also co-head the financial services sector, and Graham Cross , noted for his private equity focus.

Specialising in complex, high-value corporate transactions, Dentons has amassed extensive experience assisting multinational businesses with public and private M&A, disposals, and investments, as well as spin-offs, corporate real estate, and restructuring. Its breadth of expertise and cross-border capabilities have amassed an impressive and expanding client roster which consists of notable names from a wide array of sectors such as automotive, professional services, and technology, among others. Darren Acres co-heads the practice alongside Jayne Schnider and specialises in advising US companies looking to acquire UK, European, and African entities. Schnider stands out for her skill handling business combinations. The department also benefits from the aptitude of multijurisdictional transaction authority Neil Nicholson, who concentrates on publishing and outsourcing M&A. Another key practitioner in the group is private M&A expert Joseph Collingwood, who focuses on the technology, sport, and manufacturing sectors.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP offers a comprehensive M&A service, enabling the team to advise on both public and private transactions, across buy- and sell-side mandates, at both domestic and international levels. The group has extensive experience assisting multinational clients on acquisitions and disposals, mergers, and tender offers, as well as stock and asset acquisitions, restructuring, and spin-offs. Its breadth of capabilities continue to attract new clients to its roster, which consists of impressive names from the aviation, energy, and financial service sectors, to name a few. Co-leading the department are global M&A specialist Antony Walsh and energy expert Stephen Hill; Walsh stands out for the scope of his practice which encompasses traditional M&A, alongside spin-offs, carve-outs, and reorganisations, with a particular focus on the industrials and technology industries. Focusing on US transactions within Europe and the UK is Robin Johnson, while Lee Harris concentrates on deals within the life sciences sector. Other key practitioners in the team include energy specialist Jubilee Easo, takeover expert Chris Halliday, and financial services authority Ankit Chhabra.

Noted by clients for its ‘pragmatic legal advice,’ Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is a strong choice for businesses seeking assistance with both public and private M&A, disposals, and share sales and purchases, alongside carve-outs, share purchase agreements, and joint ventures. The group has particular experience advising on high-value, high-profile, cross-border transactions, which, together with its broad industry coverage, continues to attract new clients to its roster which consists of notable names from the consumer, media and entertainment, and real estate sectors, among others. Spearheading the department is Benjamin Lee, who specialises in multijurisdictional M&A with a particular focus on the media industry. The practice also benefits from the aptitude of Jinal Shah, who is adept at handling international transactions across the telecoms, retail, and energy spaces. Andrew Hart is another key member of the team.

With expertise in domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and demergers, as well as reorganisations and disposals, Greenberg Traurig, LLP is home to a solid M&A practice, praised by clients for its ‘outstanding team of highly commercial and pragmatic transactional lawyers.’ The group has a growing client roster and regularly advises notable names from the real estate, financial services, and logistics sectors, among others. Spearheading the department are Paul Maher, Fiona Adams, and Henrietta Walker, all of whom bring a wealth of experience to the team. Maher is sought after for his aptitude for handling cross-border M&A, both public and private, while Adams specialises in multijurisdictional joint ventures and share purchases and sales. Walker is the go-to for acquisitions and disposals, and joint ventures. Other indispensable members of the practice include Shashank Krishna, Sarah Moyles, and Joel Wheeler.

Pinsent Masons LLP is home to a solid corporate team with an aptitude for high-profile, high-value transactions both domestically and internationally. The group is sought after by public and private companies from the energy, sports and entertainment, and financial services sectors to assist with M&A, investments, and disposals, as well as business combinations, share buybacks, and public takeovers. Edward Stead heads up the practice and is supported by financial services expert Hannah Brader who has deep experience advising on M&A, joint ventures, and reorganisations. On the corporate real estate front, Robert Moir is the name to note, while Jonathan Woolf is the key contact for cross-border M&A and joint ventures in the oil and gas sector. Other central members of the team include James Kaye, Sunjay Malhotra, and Adam Cain.

Noted for its ‘combination of deep sector expertise, cross-border execution strength, and a genuinely collaborative, client-focused approach,’ Reed Smith LLP is a solid choice for media and entertainment, technology, and financial services businesses seeking assistance with high-value and high-profile multijurisdictional transactions. The corporate group is well-equipped to handle cross-border M&A, investments, and carve-outs, as well as joint ventures and disposals, and its breadth of practice continues to attract new clients. Michael Young heads up the team and specialises in cross-border M&A, public and private takeovers, and joint ventures, with a particular focus on the technology, media, financial services, and energy sectors. Concentrating on transactions within regulated sectors is M&A expert Philip Taylor, while Milan Thakker is the go-to for all healthcare and life sciences deals. Other key members in the department include Daryl Cue and Matthew Bowen.

Simmons & Simmons' corporate department has a robust offering which encompasses public and private M&A, takeovers, and investments, as well as disposals, reverse takeovers, and management buyouts. The team has considerable experience advising on transactions across a wide array of sectors such as financial services, energy, and technology which, together with its aptitude for high-value, high-profile multijurisdictional deals, has amassed an impressive client base consisting of notable names, including the likes of BT and BP. Arthur Stewart co-leads the group alongside Ania Rontaler and concentrates on domestic and international M&A, joint ventures, and restructuring, with a particular focus on regulated sectors. Rontaler is the main contact for asset management transactions. Jason Daniel is adept at advising Japanese businesses strategic alliances while Sean Geraghty regularly assists financial institutions with public and private M&A.

Squire Patton Boggs has a comprehensive corporate offering, allowing the team to advise on domestic and cross-border M&A, disposals, and investments, alongside buy-outs, share sales and purchases, and exit transactions. With considerable experience assisting with various high-value and high-profile deals, the group is instructed by an impressive client base which consists of notable names from the professional services, technology, and real estate sectors, to name a few. Mark Yeo heads up the practice and is adept at handling multijurisdictional M&A, joint ventures, and deals backed by private equity and venture capital across the healthcare, media, and sports sectors. He is supported by private equity authority Ben Squires who concentrates on leveraged buyouts, acquisitions and sales, and continuation vehicles. Other key members of the team include Jane Haxby, James McKay, and Tim Stead.

The corporate team at Taylor Wessing LLP, well-regarded by clients for being ‘very practical and business-oriented,’ is regularly instructed by real estate, technology, and financial services businesses to advise on UK and cross-border transactions ranging from public and private M&A to business combinations and investments. With multijurisdictional capabilities and vast experience assisting on both the buy- and sell-side of deals, the group continues to grow its client roster, further cementing its reach into the software, food and beverage, and manufacturing sectors. Emma Danks spearheads the department and is supported by Philip Shepherd who specialises in international M&A and reorganisations. Financial services, life sciences, and energy M&A expert Chris Cowley is a key contact within the practice alongside Edward Chapman who focuses on M&A, joint ventures, and restructuring. Angus Miln left the firm in September 2024.

Covington & Burling LLP is well-equipped to handle various high-value, cross-border transactions including public and private M&A on both the buy- and sell-side, divestitures, and disposals, as well as carve-outs and joint ventures. With a broad scope and international capabilities, the group is sought after by notable names from the life sciences, financial services, and energy sectors, including the likes of AstraZeneca. Leading the corporate practice is the ‘pragmatic and commercial’ Gregor Frizzell, who is adept at advising on multijurisdictional M&A and joint ventures. He is supported by takeover expert Phil Cheveley — who joined from Sidley Austin LLP in December 2024 — and life sciences authority Louise Nash. Other key members of the team include Lyndsey Laverack, Brandon Thompson, and Camilla Rogers.

Fieldfisher is home to a well-experienced corporate team which offers advice on domestic and cross-border M&A, both public and private, disposals, and auction sales. The group also has wide sector coverage that spans the media and entertainment, financial services, and insurance sectors, as well as the mining, aviation, and technology sectors. Neil Matthews and Tim Bird sit at the helm of the practice and have expertise in public company transactions and US-UK tech M&A respectively. They are supported by media specialist Carlton Durrant, life sciences expert Janita Good, and Nodir Sidikov, who concentrates on M&A involving businesses from Kazakhstan. Other notable names in the department include Keith Woodhouse, Philip Watkins, and Natalia Schuster. Ruth Lewis was made partner in March 2025.

Praised by clients for its ‘incredibly collaborative approach,’ the M&A and private equity practice at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is a good choice for businesses seeking assistance with public and private M&A, on both the buy- and sell-side, disposals, and public takeovers. The group is instructed by a growing client base made up of impressive names from the financial services, healthcare, and technology sectors, to name a few. Leading the team is Ian Lopez who specialises in public and private M&A, alongside distressed sales, across a wide spectrum of industries such as media and entertainment, insurance, and telecoms. On the joint venture and restructuring fronts, Nicholas Skill is a key contact in the department alongside James Frecknall. Both are also adept at handling investments and co-investments.

Specialising in energy and infrastructure transactions, Gowling WLG — praised by clients for ‘adding value and thinking outside the box,’ — offers assistance on domestic and cross-border M&A, share sales and purchases, and disposals. Sunil Kakkad chairs the corporate group while the ‘outstanding’ Gareth Baker leads the London M&A and private equity practice; he specialises in acquisitions, financing, and disposals in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The transactional capabilities have been bolstered by the arrival of Will Glover, who joined from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in September 2024. He brings with him considerable experience advising renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure businesses on M&A, joint ventures, and project development. Other key members of the team include Neil Hendron, Siân Dewing, and Chelsie Taylor.

King & Spalding LLP covers a wide array of corporate transactions, including public and private M&A, public company takeovers, and share sales and purchases, as well as investments, divestments, and joint ventures. With a robust offering and cross-border capabilities, the group has amassed a growing client roster which consists of notable names from the financial services, professional services, and technology sectors, to name a few. Heading up the department is William Charnley who stands out for his expertise advising private equity, hedge funds, and financial institutions on complex acquisitions and divestments. The practice also benefits from the aptitude of Amit Kataria who is noted for his negotiation skills in multijurisdictional M&A.

McDermott Will & Schulte's mergers and acquisitions practice has considerable experience advising on high-profile, domestic and cross-border M&A, disposals, and real estate financing. Its transactional expertise, alongside its multijurisdictional capabilities, have amassed an expanding client base which consists of notable names from an array of industry sectors including oil and gas, digital infrastructure, and real estate, to name a few. Aymen Mahmoud spearheads the group and is supported by Fatema Orjela who stands out for her breadth of specialism which spans leveraged buyouts, M&A, and divestitures, alongside joint ventures, minority equity investments, and equity and debt restructurings. Other key practitioners in the team include Eleanor West, Usman Khan, and Elisabeth Moseley.

The corporate and business transactions group at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP has a robust offering which encompasses public and private M&A, disposals, and share sales and purchases, as well as investments, capital markets deals, and joint ventures. With vast experience advising on both domestic and cross-border transactions, the practice is also well-equipped to support multinational businesses on complex, multijurisdictional mandates. Tim Corbett spearheads the team and specialises in international M&A, private equity and debt offerings, and financing. The department also benefits from the aptitude of Olivier Chambord — who focuses on oil and gas M&A — and Mark Geday — who concentrates on investments. Other core practitioners in the group include Robert Hutton, Allison Soilihi, and Luciana Griebel.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP's corporate, M&A, and private equity group is recognised for its expertise in technology transactions, although it is also capable of advising clients from a wide range of sectors including financial services, video games, and aerospace, among others. The team regularly handles high-profile M&A, investments, and share sales and purchases, as well as disposals and financings at both domestic and cross-border levels. Heading up the department is cross-border specialist Shawn Atkinson who concentrates on technology M&A, exits, and late-stage venture transactions, alongside early-stage private equity deals, reorganisations, and disposals. He is supported by Katie Cotton who is adept at assisting investors and technology companies on multijurisdictional M&A and venture capital investments.

Stephenson Harwood, described by clients as ‘honest, transparent, pragmatic, unflappable,’ has a comprehensive corporate finance offering which spans domestic and cross-border M&A on both the buy- and sell-side, joint ventures, and disposals, alongside takeovers, divestments, and share sales and purchases. The group receives mandates from an extensive and expanding client roster comprised of public and private companies from the financial services, energy, and technology sectors, to name a few. Heading up the department is Jonathan Bridcut who specialises in private M&A, joint ventures, and reorganisations. He is supported by transportation and trade expert Ben Mercer, UK-US transaction authority Duncan Stiles, and financial services specialist Sam Gray. Other key members of the practice include Michelle Gomes, Tom Finden, and Zoe Yuile.

Well-regarded by clients for being 'thorough, highly experienced,' and 'clear and concise in their advice,' Akin's corporate group employs a multidisciplinary approach to support on complex, domestic and cross-border M&A, leveraged buyouts, and tender offers, as well as auction processes and hostile takeovers. The team, under the joint leadership of Sebastian Rice and Shaun Lascelles, is instructed by clients from a variety of sectors including consumer products, financial services, and media and telecoms. Rice is noted for his expertise in international M&A, joint ventures, and disposals, while Lascelles is adept at handling public and private M&A, with a focus on the oil and gas and energy sectors.

The corporate team at Baker Botts (UK) LLP is well-equipped to handle high-profile transactions both domestically and internationally. The group has particular expertise assisting clients from the technology and energy sectors on M&A, exits, and joint ventures, as well as restructuring, disposals, and share sales and purchases. Heading up the practice is the 'exceptionally strong' Derek Jones who specialises in multijurisdictional acquisitions and disposals, takeovers, and mergers and demergers. He is supported by Sian Williams and David Marshall, both of whom are adept at handling M&A, joint ventures, and public takeovers.

With a wide industry reach spanning hospitality, hotels and leisure, and energy, as well as technology, financial services, and transport, Burges Salmon LLP is capable of handling corporate transactions for an array of businesses. The team has extensive experience advising on high-value, high-profile deals both domestically and internationally, including M&A, strategic partnerships, and investments, among others. Co-heading the department are public and private M&A specialist Nick Graves and cross-border M&A expert Rupert Weston. They are supported by management buyout authority Mark Shepherd, and Camilla Usher-Clark, who concentrates on renewable energy and energy transition transactions.

Healthcare, financial services, and life sciences companies turn to Cooley (UK) LLP for assistance with a range of corporate transactions including domestic and cross-border M&A, stake sales and purchases, and disposals. The group is also capable of advising on definitive agreements, financing, and portfolio sales on both the buy- and sell-side. At the helm of the practice is Ben Shribman who stands out for his considerable experience acting for public companies, private equity funds, and VC-backed businesses on multijurisdictional technology deals. Other key members of the team include Simon Amies, Russell Anderson, and Rita Sobral.

HFW handles a variety of corporate transactions, ranging from multijurisdictional M&A and disposals, to joint ventures and restructuring. With a robust offering and cross-border capabilities, the group has amassed an industry-wide client base which consists of infrastructure, financial services, and port management companies, as well as underwriters, funds, and shipping businesses. Alistair Mackie co-heads the practice alongside Alex Kyriakoulis and focuses on infrastructure and energy M&A. Kyriakoulis is noted for his breadth of experience which covers insurance M&A, takeovers, and flotations. Audrey Hsieh is another key practitioner in the department.

K&L Gates LLP advises on cross-border deals for clients across technology, infrastructure, and energy sectors. Paul Tetlow's practice covers a range of corporate transactions, including joint ventures, public takeovers, and venture capital deals. Tom Wallace focuses on technology and fintech clients, while James Green is noted for his M&A expertise in mining, oil and gas, and energy. Other key figures include Craig Fraser, whose experience includes deals in consumer goods and technology.

Mishcon de Reya LLP's corporate and M&A team is geared to support businesses on the full corporate lifecycle, from venture capital fundraising to private M&A and takeovers. The group is sought after by a growing client base which is made up of corporate real estate, technology, and life sciences companies, among others. At the helm of the practice is Kevin McCarthy , who specialises in cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. He is supported by the 'knowledgeable and approachable' Mark Thompson, who concentrates on M&A, joint ventures, and corporate real estate deals. Other key members of the department include Saul Sender, Ross Bryson, and Lydia Kellett.

Praised by clients as a ‘complimentary team of diverse but intermingling talents,’ RPC is sought after for its expertise in public and private M&A at both domestic and cross-border levels, investments, and restructuring. The group is capable of advising businesses from diverse industry sectors including retail and consumer, insurance and financial services, and technology and media. Retail and technology specialist Karen Hendy leads the department and stands out for her aptitude for international M&A. She is supported by insurance M&A authority James Mee, joint venture expert Neil Brown, and Nigel Collins, who concentrates on M&A, disposals, and investments involving Japanese companies.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP's corporate department specialises in transport and infrastructure transactions and has considerable experience advising on domestic and cross-border M&A, investments, and share sales and purchases. The group is under the leadership of Chris Kilburn who is seasoned in joint ventures, M&A, and corporate finance across the energy, mining, and commodities sectors. On the maritime and oil and gas fronts, Daniel Saunders is the name to note, while Thomas Newlyn focuses on advising French companies on multijurisdictional M&A and joint ventures. Shaun Young is another key practitioner in the team.