Birketts LLP fields a large team that frequently advises on high-value acquisitions, including those backed by private equity and with capital markets elements, alongside restructurings, demergers and employee incentive matters. Rafael Ruiz spearheads the firm-wide corporate team, leading on cross-border and domestic transactions for private and institutional investors. Adam Jones, described as ‘extremely diligent, experienced and hard-working’, is a key contact for private equity houses and oversees the Chelmsford team, with expertise in complex group reorganisations, demergers and corporate governance matters. Heidi Bond specialises in the corporate aspects of employee ownership transactions, while Alex Forwood advises on acquisitions and company disposals by shareholders, as well as shareholder investments and partial exits.

‘Able to draw on company-wide specialists’, Birkett Long LLP routinely advises on demergers, restructurings and the incorporation of employee ownership trusts, in addition to handling acquisitions, joint ventures and a broad range of commercial agreements. Tim Field leads the practice and focuses on mergers and acquisitions, with particular experience in the insurance and construction sectors. David Wisbey advises on cross-border transactions, complex reorganisations and demergers, while Thomas Emmett acts for both buyers and sellers in share and asset deals and also assists with commercial contracts and company restructures. Described as ‘relatable and trustworthy’, Chloe Vertigen provides specialist advice on data protection matters, particularly for clients in the technology and e-commerce sectors.

The ‘solution-focused’ team at Ellisons is lauded for providing ‘London expertise in the provinces’, with a broad offering spanning a wide range of corporate and commercial transactions. Paul Forsyth leads the team, working on a variety of share sales, including sales to employee ownership trusts, as well as demergers, reorganisations and the implementation of enterprise management incentive option schemes. Abigail Williamson supports the practice on transactional matters, with a particular focus on employee ownership trusts and management buyouts.

The team at Tees Law is known for ‘fighting hard for clients’, with extensive experience in high-value corporate transactions and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements, including intellectual property licensing, data protection and distribution agreements. Lucy Folley oversees the practice, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions and restructurings, while Tracey Dickens has particular expertise in the healthcare sector, advising on transactions involving care homes as well as veterinary and dental practices; she is also frequently sought after for family and farming demergers and employee ownership trusts. Baljeet Kaur handles share and asset acquisitions as well as joint venture and partnership agreements.

Thompson Smith and Puxon fields a ‘very professional and knowledgeable’ practice, particularly noted for advising manufacturing, family and agri-businesses, as well as hospitality and healthcare clients, on complex and high-value reorganisations, demergers, acquisitions and succession planning. Practice head Mary Anne Fedeyko is highly experienced in succession planning and corporate transactions, including those with cross-border elements. Nick Mayles advises corporate clients on establishing and implementing enterprise management incentive schemes and supports agri-business clients with restructuring matters, while Caroline Nicholls specialises in acquisitions, private equity investments, as well as public company equity capital markets listings.

The team at Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP provides clients with support across mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance matters, commercial contracts and regulatory compliance. Tony Fisher is executive chair of the firm and has extensive experience in corporate restructurings, while Ashton Carter heads up the corporate and commercial department, specialising in transactional work, including the acquisition and sale of businesses, shares and securities. Carter also routinely negotiates and drafts various commercial contracts and advises on corporate finance matters.

Working closely with its employment and litigation practices, the team at Palmers advises on acquisitions, corporate financings and a broad range of commercial matters, including shareholder agreements, partnership agreements and terms and conditions. The practice is co-led by Matthew Johnson, who specialises in commercial transactions, and BJ Chong, who primarily acts for clients in the banking and finance sector. Jonathan Hol supports Johnson on transactional matters and brings additional expertise in media and advertising law.

Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP’s offering spans mergers and acquisitions, providing advice on a range of commercial contracts, as well as banking and finance security documentation. The practice is co-led by Mark Deans, who specialises in mergers, acquisitions and restructurings, and Fiona Colwell, whose workload covers transactional matters and the preparation of commercial agreements, including partnership agreements and terms and conditions.

Led by Julien Pritchard, Pinney Talfourd LLP‘s corporate and commercial department often collaborates with the firm’s employment and commercial property teams, providing SMEs with advice on founder exits, succession transactions and group reorganisations. Under the direction of Pritchard, Julian Royle focuses on corporate transactions as well as drafting a range of commercial agreements, including shareholder and share buyback agreements.