Praised for being a ‘highly experienced and solution focused team that provides practical commercial advice’, Blake Morgan LLP is noted for its expertise in handling complex, multi-faceted matters across the technology, healthcare, charity and education fields. Commercial lead Alison Patten-Hall possesses a wealth of experience in advising a multitude of clients on outsourcing and IT procurements, while corporate lead Simon Staples harnesses his vast expertise in M&A, private equity and IPOs to assist public and private companies, financial advisers and brokers. Other key contacts in the team include Elisabeth Bell, who deploys her extensive knowledge of innovative technologies within the financial services and healthcare sectors, and experienced practitioner Penny Rinta-Suksi, a commercial partner who is particularly active in franchising, energy contracts and telecoms. Timothy Coles is recommended.

Capable of managing mandates across a diverse array of corporate finance, commercial contracts and transactional work for a varied multitude of clients, Freeths LLP maintains its position at the forefront of the Thames Valley region for corporate and commercial expertise. Leon Arnold helms the corporate side of the practice, with a client roster which encompasses healthcare, technology and food businesses, among others. Supply chain management and beauty specialist Rebecca Howlett leads the commercial side of the practice, which is a favoured choice for global cosmetics brands. Tom Walker maintains a strong practice which includes joint ventures, corporate governance, and shareholder matters, while Malin Svanberg Larsson demonstrates considerable prowess in assisting clients with private equity and early-stage investment in the tech, consultancy and manufacturing industries.

Recommended for its ‘exceptionally knowledgeable and pragmatic team’, Gateley Legal is regularly engaged by a plethora of clients within the TMT sector, including private equity and corporate groups, for assistance with a selection of equity fundraising and restructuring mandates. The team also enjoys an active presence across the food & beverage, recruitment and financial services industries. Steering the practice is Andrew Peddie, who advises a myriad of technology businesses on complex transactional mandates. Another key figure in the practice is Nicola Bennett, whose arsenal of skills includes post-acquisition restructuring work and sell-side M&A. Former co-lead Mailin Bala  departed for Keystone Law in November 2023, and Sarah Souter departed for Trowers & Hamlins LLP in January 2024.

Noted for having an ‘extremely professional, practical, hard-working and friendly’ nature, Osborne Clarke LLP possesses a strong grounding in mid-cap private equity, growth capital and corporate reorganisation related mandates. Co-lead Sara Valentine is noted for her expertise in cross-border M&A transactions and is well-versed in the field of technology, while fellow co-lead Greg Leyshon is equipped to handle a broad range of transactions, with particular strength in the communications sector. Robert Wood deploys his expertise in venture and growth capital market to assist growing companies in the technology, media and communications sector, while Rob Hayes is an established presence within technology and life sciences industries. Mike Freer leads the firm’s specialist management advisory group.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP maintains a strong offering in venture capital, working with a growing roster of tech and life sciences companies. Will Axtell is capable of managing multi-faceted and high-value mandates, with a particular specialism in M&A, venture capital funding rounds and spin-outs, while James Went is noted for his prowess in the realm of corporate transactions. Venture capital expert Kathy Potter further enhances the firm’s bench offering, and Dominique Sabatini holds a wealth of experience in spin-out and venture capital matters.

With an esteemed presence across tech, retail, energy and mobility industries, Shoosmiths LLP operates for a plethora of clients that encompasses large corporates, public companies, private equity houses and venture capital firms. On the corporate side, Sanjeev Sharma leads the team with his wide-ranging experience that includes multi-jurisdictional mandates, while Thames Valley office leader Nina Smith frequently handles matters pertaining to sell side mandates, buy and build acquisitions and a variety of investments. On the commercial side, Nick Holland heads up the group, with his particular capabilities in global outsourcing transactions. Transactional practitioner Fiona Teague is routinely entrusted by a stable of blue chip multinational clients for advice on commercial issues such as outsourcing transactions. Ami Bhatt is also recommended.

Highly active in the tech sector, ‘proactive’ and ‘focused’ Boyes Turner also enjoys a strong reputation in the water and agricultural industries, assisting clients with a diverse host of commercial, transactional, regulatory and contentious issues. Media and data protection expert Sarah Williamson and experienced cross-border practitioner Chris Dobson co-lead the practice, while Helen Dobson is well-versed in the realm of IP.

The ‘versatile and practical’ team at Field Seymour Parkes LLP, which is led by Rachael Maunder, advises start-ups and multinationals across the tech, insurance and manufacturing sectors, among others. Managing partner Jeremy Parkes routinely advises on corporate finance transactions and restructurings, while Penelope Garden’s wide range of experience comprises complex M&A, disposals, private equity and venture capital investment. Ian Wood-Smith‘s practice covers corporate finance transactions, M&A and joint ventures.

Helmed by Rachel Turner and Nicolas Groffman, Harrison Clark Rickerbys is highly active in private equity transactions, in addition to coverage of M&A, restructurings, and compliance issues. The group's sector expertise spans e-commerce, film, and manufacturing, among other areas. Turner leverages her considerable experience handling corporate mandates to assist international companies, PE investors and various other businesses, while Groffman’s fluency in Mandarin enables him to excel in international scale matters.

A prominent choice for tech companies and leading investors in the space, White & Black Limited demonstrates particular proficiency in handling high-value M&A transactions and private equity mandates. The team is praised for being ‘genuinely charming and the epitome of a trusted adviser’. John Allen heads up the group, specialising in the tech and marketing services industries and bolstering the practice with his high-tech M&A expertise. Another key figure in the practice is Jonathan Williamson, who is well-positioned to manage domestic and cross-border transactions for a range of clients, from entrepreneurs through to established companies.

Active across the full business life cycle, ‘incredibly commercial’ BDB Pitmans draws strength from its offices in London, Cambridge and Southampton to advise a diverse client base on corporate and commercial issues. John Hutchinson heads up the practice, with notable experience in handling M&A transactions and private equity investments. Philip Weaver is equipped to handle M&A and fundraising work, while Stephanie Perry is active in buy-outs and buy-ins, alongside a multitude of investments and agreements.

Ashan Arif leads the Clarkslegal LLP corporate department, with wide-ranging capabilities which span private equity, M&A, asset and business transfers, as well as more general corporate matters. The team is noted for its strength in employee ownership transactions, and is active for global corporations and FTSE companies in M&A, private equity investments and shareholder issues. Corporate transactional expert Stuart Mullins is another name to note in the practice.

KPMG Law‘s arsenal of skills encompasses M&A and investments, joint ventures and partnerships as well as a diverse variety of cross-border transactions. The practice is jointly led by Emma Gibson, whose practice consists of M&A, corporate reconstructions and private equity transactions, and Tim Sydor, who is especially knowledgeable in relation to private equity matters.

On the corporate side, Blandy & Blandy LLP is capable of advising clients on joint ventures, corporate finance and restructurings, among others, while on the commercial side, the team assists with commercial contracts, data protection and regulatory issues. Debbie Brett leads the team, contributing her expertise across commercial disputes and transactions to the practice, alongside her specific IP capabilities.

Routinely operating for SME clients and large owner-managed businesses, Clifton Ingram LLP Solicitors is praised for its ‘customer focused’ nature. ‘Top quality’ practice head Barry Niven possesses a wide range of experience, extending from M&A and venture capital investments to shareholders’ agreements and restructuring mandates.

Philip Humphreys leads the corporate team at Gardner Leader LLP, utilising his experience across M&A, buyouts and reorganisations. On the commercial side, Peter James is the key name to note, bolstering the practice with his wealth of experience across commercial contracts, IP and IT related mandates.

Adam Dowdney and Harriet Jones co-helm IBB Law‘s corporate and commercial practice, which is praised for being a ‘close and dynamic team’. Dowdney’s wide-ranging capabilities include private equity and M&A, while Jones is increasingly active in data privacy work.

Active across a diverse range of sectors including food, security, and technology, ‘experienced’ SE-Solicitors leverages its domestic and international experience to advise clients on a varied multitude of mandates, encompassing M&A, sales, lending financing and commercial agreements. The team is led by ‘knowledgeable, experienced and approachable’ Hitendra Patel, who includes high-value corporate transactions in his arsenal of skills. Catherine O’Riordan is also recommended.

Mishcon de Reya LLP’s Oxford office is able to draw upon the expertise of its corporate practice across London and Cambridge to assist tech companies, digital health businesses and venture capitalists with a diverse range of corporate and commercial mandates. Nicola McConville heads up the group with her particular proficiencies in handling university spin-outs, as well as investment rounds on both the investor and company side.