CMS is highly lauded for its corporate offering, advising on a range of deals spanning from local acquisitions to multi-billion pound cross-jurisdictional deals. The team is commended for its breadth, with the ability to work closely with other departments to provide a comprehensive service. Members of the team regularly advise on landmark deals, for a range of impressive clients. Ben Hendry leads the practice, with experience advising on high-value domestic and international transactions. Luke Chapman is also a key name to note.

DLA Piper is commended for its ‘knowledgeable and straightforward commercial advice’, with extensive sector expertise spanning the energy, industrials, financial services, and infrastructure spaces. Cross-border and complex M&A transactions along with multi-jurisdictional group restructurings are strengths of the team. Based in Sheffield, Rob McKie and Amanda Pilkington head up the practice, with experience spanning IPOs, secondary fundraisers, and takeovers for listed companies, as well as international supply arrangements. David Beech is key to the practice, with expertise in cross-border M&A and equity investments, and Anna Lewis, Joe Masson, and Daniel Lavender are also noted.

Freeths LLP’s corporate and commercial team acts on extensive supply chain issues, with particular knowledge of the manufacturing and engineering industries in Sheffield. The practice is well versed in acting on private acquisitions, disposals, and investments, with vast experience advising on complex private equity transactions. Team head Peter Crawford is an ‘excellent, experienced lawyer who is easy to work with’, with broad experience acting on company acquisitions and disposals. Roger Gough also heads up the ‘very hardworking, reliable, high quality and client-focused team’. Lisa Wallis is ‘always positive and proactive’, and a key name in the department, along with Caroline Thomas.

According to clients, what differentiates the practice at Hemingways Solicitors Limited is its ‘knowledge, approach and professionalism, which are second to none’. The team has expertise in both private company corporate advisory and non-contentious financial services regulatory work, and members of the group work closely with other practices of the firm, namely the competition and banking teams. Chris King heads up the team, advising on a range of complex matters including restructurings and private equity work, working closely with SMEs through to national and international companies. Laurence Gavin also leads the practice, with a focus on financial services regulated clients including fund managers and listed companies, as well as charities and academy trusts.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP‘s corporate and commercial practice stands out for its ability to handle cross-border acquisitions, disposals, equity capital market IPOs, and venture capital transactions. The team has a broad focus, and is particularly skilled at handling matters in the healthcare, tech, and industrials sectors. Having joined in May 2024 from Knights plc, Matt Ainsworth leads the team and is skilled at handling complex corporate finance matters, advising public and private companies on domestic and cross-border M&A. Leading the commercial side of the practice is Carys Thompson, with particular expertise in manufacturing sector mandates.

Wake Smith Solicitors Limited has a ‘solid and reliable corporate team’ that benefits from its ‘excellent heritage’, particularly in the manufacturing sector. The firm regularly acts for medical professionals and care home providers locally and nationally, advising on all aspects of corporate and commercial matters. The ‘experienced commercial team’ is led by Tom Goff, and Rebecca Robinson is a ‘hardworking, knowledgeable and reliable corporate partner’, specialising in demergers and group reorganisations, and acting for a number of local charities and charitable incorporated organisations.