Dentons retains its strong reputation in the region across a full range of both corporate and commercial transactions, acting for a stand-out client base including the UK government, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, and Marks and Spencer. Christopher Colclough and Sarah Lima jointly head the practice: Colclough is a specialist for corporate and finance work, particularly on transactions involving cross-border issues. Ryan Chia is a key contact for corporate matters, with recent focuses including warranty and indemnity insurance coverage issues.

Freeths LLP handles the full suite of corporate finance and transactional work on behalf of a diverse client roster ranging from SMEs and individual entrepreneurs to listed public companies. The group also offers deep sector expertise across healthcare, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, technology and software, automotive and transport, TMT, and hospitality and leisure. Managing partner in Milton Keynes, Jonathan Hambleton, leads the department and has considerable experience in M&A, MBOs, joint ventures and corporate restructuring with a particular focus on the hospitality industry. Gary Smith's robust practice continues to emphasise private company sales and acquisitions as well as private equity investments and MBOs. Natalie Drought  is a key name for matters in the drinks, hospitality and leisure sectors, where she counsels key clients on complex transactions including solvent and insolvent M&A, restructuring and commercial contracts. James Cowell remains sought after for his experience on M&A, acquisition finance, and private equity transactions; he comes recommended as ‘very understanding’ and for always having ‘the client at the centre of his thinking’.

Howes Percival LLP's Milton Keynes-based corporate, commercial and banking team routinely advises on a broad range of matters including acquisitions, disposals and private equity transactions. The group remains known in the marketplace for its expertise regarding work arising out of the motor retail automotive sector. Tom Redman now heads the practice and comes highly recommended for his ‘approachability and readiness’. Former practice head Andrew Harris remains a key member of the team, lending his demonstrable expertise to M&A, private equity transactions and corporate reorganisations. Technology and automotive expert Chris White is an important point of contact on the commercial side of the practice.

Harriet Jones and Adam Dowdney lead the corporate and commercial team at IBB Law which is praised for its ‘depth of legal skills to cover all areas’ and for inspiring ‘confidence that there is a partner and lawyer group suitable for every eventuality’. Dowdney has considerable expertise across a broad range of corporate finance matters, M&A and private equity transactions, restructurings and joint ventures, among many other areas. Jones is a go-to name for the entire gamut of commercial and data protection work. Joseph Jarvis is another important contact within the group.

Moorcrofts LLP has a strong track record for representing multi-national corporations on M&A transactions, with particular expertise when it comes to technology law – including specialist areas of open source software and hardware as well as intellectual property issues. Teri Hunter and Andrew Katz jointly lead the Marlow-based team. Hunter lends her considerable expertise to M&A and disposals, corporate restructuring, employee share schemes and management buy-outs. Technology expert Katz is a go-to name for all things pertaining to open source licensing, open hardware licensing, technology law and intellectual property.

The team at Shoosmiths LLP is praised as ‘reliable, always available, and has the client’s best interests in mind’. Corporate head Claire Checketts has significant M&A expertise and frequently represents major private equity houses. Head of private equity Amit Nayyar is known for his ‘great commercial mindset’ and spearheads many of the firm’s relationships with blue-chip PE clients, focusing on mid-market transactions. Robin Webb leads the commercial team, whilst Wayne Gibbard is another key contact for work in the financial services sector.

B P Collins LLP is known for being ‘proactive and extremely responsive’ and provides the full range of corporate and commercial advice to a range of clients, spanning high net worth individuals, SMEs and major listed companies. Alex Zachary heads the team and is a key name for clients in the waste management, renewables, technology, chemical supplies, and healthcare sectors. David Smellie is an important contact for sales and acquisitions, shareholders agreements and investments, whilst experienced practitioner Simon Deans is a specialist in the technology sector. Business and share sales and acquisitions, joint ventures and shareholders’ agreements are the focus areas of Beth Miel.

Blaser Mills Law is chiefly recognised for its presence on M&A transactions in the region, but is also frequently engaged on venture capital investment matters. Edward Lee leads on the corporate front, whilst Colin Smith  spearheads the commercial side of the practice. Lee is a key name among the technology, FCA regulated deals, real estate and motoring industries. Smith routinely lends his expertise to joint ventures, management buyouts and M&A transactions.

Debenhams Ottaway is known for its M&A expertise, specifically private company asset and share acquisitions, as well as disposals. Andrew Yates  leads the St Albans-based team and is recognised in the marketplace for his knowledge when it comes to acquisitions, disposals and transaction finance, garnering praise for his 'commercial understanding'. James Brawn is equally adept on both non-contentious and contentious corporate mandates, with a specialist focus on matters involving an insolvency element.

Machins Solicitors LLP is jointly spearheaded by Jon Alvarez and Max Lesser: Alvarez is an important contact for a broad range of transactions including M&A, disposals, solvent construction, corporate insolvency and distressed sales as well as corporate governance, corporate finance, and private equity investment; Lesser is an M&A expert but also acts for clients on corporate and asset finance, and private investment transactions, among many others. Elsewhere within the group, Sarah Liddiard predominantly handles commercial contract drafting, data protection law and employee share schemes.

SA Law LLP‘s corporate and commercial offering is led by ‘excellent lawyer’ Vincent Billings who is recognised for his extensive corporate and M&A expertise. Sharon Mitchell handles complex IP, IT and data protection matters. Professional services, high tech and IT, and real estate are core sectors of focus for the St Albans-based team.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP acts for a both regional and nationwide client base, which includes education institutions, residential and commercial developers, healthcare operators, energy providers through to large corporate occupiers. Mark Thompson is an expert when it comes to work emanating out of the hotels and leisure, information technology, energy, construction, healthcare, logistics and professional services sectors. Jordan Glackin is a key contact for the acquisition and sale of healthcare businesses, and also advises education sector clients on governance issues.

Sherrards Solicitors LLP is recognised for its M&A prowess, but also sees a steady deal flow across private equity transactions and other transactions involving public companies. Providing regulatory advice is another core focus of the St Albans-based group. Jean-Paul Da Costa and Jean-Paul Da Costa collectively lead the practice group. Head handles M&A work, including private equity deals, banking, financial and corporate restructuring, whilst da Costa has strong credentials when it comes to corporate work involving intellectual property and IT law issues.

 

 

Simon Hughes and Peter Kouwenberg head the corporate and commercial sides of Taylor Walton LLP's Luton-based team, respectively. Hughes is an important name for advice on M&A, joint ventures and equity investments, among other corporate transactions. Kouwenberg predominantly focuses on commercial contracts but also provides specialist advice on a broader range of commercial issues. Jeremy Brockis is another important port of call, as a highly experienced corporate practitioner.

 

VWV's 'best in class' corporate and commercial practice group offers a 'personal and professional' service which spans a full range of matters from transactional corporate work to general advisory commercial matters. Watford-based Richard Phillips heads the corporate and commercial department in the South East and is an M&A and corporate finance expert. Emma Cameron  and Paul Gershlick  are other important points of contact.

Carter Bond Solicitors acts on a broad range of matters with a sector-specific expertise when it comes to healthcare related transactions. The Harrow-based team is praised for its ‘personal service and ability to deal with complex issues’. Reena Popat and Kate Beech jointly lead the practice: Popat focuses on healthcare business acquisitions, refinance and disposals, whilst Beech is a key name for a broad range of transactional corporate work.

Longmores Solicitors LLP undertakes a wide range of both corporate and commercial work, spanning restructurings and corporate finance to commercial contracts including IT and business process outsourcing agreements. Michael Budd heads up the group, with his expertise including advising on early stage fundraisings and investments, management buy-outs and buy-ins, among many others. Lena Hale is another important name to note on the team.

Neves's expertise encompasses M&A, investment, fundraising, and lending agreements to corporate reorganisations. The team also covers shareholder protection, employee incentives and options, franchise agreements, management agreements and partnership matters. Stewart Matthews leads the department and comes recommended as 'proactive, responsive and honest'.