Singled out for its ‘commercial approach and flexibility’, the team at Aaron & Partners LLP continues to work on leading transactions involving reorganisations, acquisitions, equity and debt investments. The team is regularly engaged by national and international corporates, as well as owner managed businesses across a wide range of sectors. Practice head Stuart Scott-Goldstone, praised for his ‘wealth of knowledge’, specialises in corporate finance transactions and corporate reorganisations and restructuring. He is supported by Jamie Hawley  who stands out for his ability to advise on corporate matters, including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and general company law issues. Jennifer Harrison handles commercial law matters which includes supply agreements and partnership law.

Described as a ‘well-oiled machine’, Forbes Solicitors advises clients on the full scope of corporate and commercial matters, excelling particularly in commercial contracts. The team caters to corporates and financial institutions in the IT, construction, tech, retail and charity sectors. The practice is jointly steered by David Filmer and John Pickervance. Filmer focuses on high value deals, including complex demergers and EOT buyouts, while Pickervance heads the manufacturing and engineering sector group, as well as the commercial department, and takes an active role in the firm’s construction sector group. Elsewhere in the team, the ‘excellent’ Jenny Burke advises on M&A, internal restructures, demergers, banking work, investments and implementation of tax schemes. Managing partner Pauline Rigby is also recommended.

Gorvins Solicitors draws considerable praise from clients for its ‘amazingly friendly and knowledgeable’ team. The practice handles a wide range of matters from acquisitions, MBOs, and disposals to outsourcing, e-commerce and agency arrangements. Andrew Curwen oversees the practice alongside Christian Mancier; Curwen advises clients across the media and publishing sectors, while Mancier acts for owner-managed businesses and family-owned businesses in the SME sector. They are supported by Paul Lupton who regularly advises on complex demergers, and senior associate Rowan Uren, who focuses on transactional work including share and asset acquisitions, MBOs, corporate re-organisations and joint ventures.

Praised as ‘responsive, proactive and practical’, the team at Napthens LLP provides clients with a ‘one-stop shop’, handling a wide range of corporate and commercial matters. Entrusted by a diverse roster of banks, private equity firms, and public companies, the practice regularly advises on corporate finance work relating to mergers, equity investment and restructurings. Keith Melling heads the team and is recommended for his experience acting for clients in a host of transactions, while co-head Jon Esner regularly drafts commercial agreements of all kinds, notably in IT procurement, large-scale outsourcing agreements and distribution agreements. Elsewhere, East Lancashire-based Richard Robinson is key port of call for private equity-backed and owner-managed businesses, banks and financial institutions and individual shareholders, while Robert Dobson leads multi-disciplinary deal teams on complex corporate transactions, lending, and reorganisations.

The ‘approachable‘ team at Brabners LLP stands out for its expertise in the IT and construction sectors, acting for a range of private companies, SMEs, entrepreneurs and family businesses. The practice is jointly led by Nikki Whittle and Richard Hough. Whittle is a key port of call for large corporates and SMEs seeking advice on a broad range of corporate transactions, while Hough specialises in the healthcare sector. Michael Winder is noted for his expertise in public procurement, commercial and contract matters, and senior associate Mairead Platt advises on all corporate legal matters such as company incorporations, shareholder protection, company restructures and sales and acquisitions of businesses.

Singled out for its ‘outstanding knowledge and customer service’, the corporate and commercial team at Butcher & Barlow LLP stands out for its expertise in the healthcare sector, regularly advising clients on employee share schemes. A mix of SMEs, corporates and individuals turn to the team for its ability to advise on the full scope of transactions. Practice head Justin Kelly handles asset sales and purchases, share sales and purchases and general commercial contracts for a diverse roster of clients.

Well-regarded for its ability to combine ‘commercial expertise’ with a ‘very responsive’ approach, DTM Legal LLP regularly advises banks, alternative funding organisations and investment companies on corporate restructuring, share schemes and governance issues. A litany of banks and overseas companies turn to practice head Edward Barnes for his expertise on the full spectrum of corporate and commercial matters. He is supported by Alison Brennan who specialises in advising corporate lenders and borrowers on finance and security arrangements.

Lauded as ‘extremely professional and reliable’, the corporate and commercial team at Farleys Solicitors LLP routinely receives instructions from clients operating the healthcare sector, handling complex corporate restructurings and de-mergers. Debbie King , who is based in Manchester, oversees the practice alongside Blackburn-based Richard Bell. King earns praise for her ‘thoroughness and attention to detail’, while Bell advises clients across the SME market, particularly owner-managed businesses, family businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Standing out for its ‘specialised expertise, client-centric approach, innovative solutions, and strong reputation‘, HM3 Legal handles the full spectrum of corporate and commercial matters, including contractual matters, M&A transactions and joint ventures. Practice head Anne Scheland routinely undertakes large-scale, complex transactional work and has been praised for her ability to make ‘complicated matters seem effortless.’

With offices in Chester, Stockport, Macclesfield, and Congleton, SAS Daniels LLP handles a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, specialising in advising SMEs. The team is led by Jeremy Orrell who is noted for his experience across the full range of transactions for clients in a variety of sectors. Kaye Whitby regularly advises local businesses on corporate transactions, as well as their commercial and operational requirements, while Andy Booth stands out for his expertise in the music industry.

Operating across myriad sectors and industries, including manufacturing, hospitality, retail, and not-for-profit, the team at Harrison Drury & Co handles shareholder agreements, M&A and corporate governance matters. Praised for its ‘tireless work ethic’, the team is often instructed by SMEs and owner-managed businesses on a range of corporate and commercial matters. Jack Stephenson is noted for his specific expertise in advising retailers, manufacturers and petrochemical companies.

Jointly steered by Stephen Attree and Rachel Owen, the corporate and commercial practice at MLP Law LLP continues to advise business owners, SMEs and local corporates across the tech, hospitality, catering, healthcare and insurance sectors on a wide range of matters. Attree is frequently instructed by the firm's NHS client base, while Owen is noted for her expertise in restructures and insurance broker sales.

‘Attentive, diligent, enthusiastic’, the corporate and commercial team at Fielden Marshall Glover Strutt advises clients across the hospitality, retail, professional services, transport, manufacturing and construction sectors. Practice head Nicholas Fielden handles M&A, investments and reorganisations for a diverse roster of clients. He is supported by associate director Anneka Traynor, who regularly advises on mergers, share sales, company reorganisations and shareholder protection arrangements.

Praised for its ‘commercial mindset’, Jolliffe & Co LLP assists clients on the full gamut of corporate and commercial matters, working across the telecoms, leisure, healthcare, construction and e-commerce sectors. The practice is jointly steered by Ryan Marr and Sharon Auld. Lauded for his ability to always put clients ‘at ease’, Marr acts on the negotiation of energy from waste (EfW) projects, biomass waste and fuel supply agreements, while Auld stands out for her expertise in contentious and non-contentious employment law matters.

Noted for its technical proficiency and commercial expertise, Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall (WHN) is lauded for its capabilities in a broad range of corporate and commercial law matters, including share sales and acquisitions, shareholder and partnership agreements. Practice head Paul Matthews is praised as a ‘seasoned expert in his field.’