Birketts LLP has a deep bench of talent in the Cambridge office, with corporate finance partner James Allen, private equity specialist Adrian Seagers, and M&A expert Greg Allan, who also works from Norwich, all co-leading the practice. The firm serves as 'a trusted source of expert advice and a resolver of obstacles and problems'. Quentin Golder is a key adviser on early-stage funding, Andrew Priest has in-depth knowledge of the ICT sector, and emerging partner talent Nick Burt has notable experience in M&A transactions  involving software or tech businesses. Allan recently acted for Cambrionix Holdings Limited in its multimillion-pound sale to Foresight.

The Cambridge office of Goodwin is an important centre of excellence in the firm's international network, and it handles high-value M&A and investment transactions for companies in the technology and life sciences sectors. 'The team is well respected in the market and has extensive knowledge of VC, which means they deliver an excellent product and deal experience', remarks one client. Lead partners David Mardle, Malcolm Bates and Tim Worden are acknowledged experts in licensing, M&A, IP commercialisation, financing and regulatory matters. Up-and-coming partners Adam Thatcher and Elizabeth Rhodes  also play key roles in VC and M&A transactions. Thatcher recently assisted shareholders of cloud email security platform Tessian Limited with its acquisition by Proofpoint Inc.

Mills & Reeve LLP has a deep bench of lawyers in its Cambridge corporate M&A practice, which frequently handles high-value regional and national transactions. Head of corporate Tom Pickthorn, head of commercial Kevin Calder and head of life sciences James Fry oversee 'a very strong practice, with excellent depth of understanding of UK Corporate law, and great ability to distill it down to a practical approach'.  Private equity partner Anthony McGurk 'has a very good sense of market practice'. Claire Clarke has particular expertise in education work and formation of investment funds, and Jonathan Greenwood focuses on mid-market M&A and PE investment. Senior associate Charlotte Bull also plays a key role in the team.

Mishcon de Reya LLP maintains a strong corporate finance and M&A practice in Cambridge, where Charles Fletcher co-leads the firm-wide group with London-based Erika McIntyre. The firm has 'the 'go to' team for advising on venture capital transactions', and is prominent in high-value M&A deals for fast-growing, IP-rich and innovative companies. The 'commercially pragmatic' Adam Bradley recently assisted wealth management firm Evelyn Partners Group Limited with two multimillion-pound acquisitions. Sian Scanlon plays a key role in deals for founder-led businesses. 'His expertise in startups and growth stage life science and biotech companies is profound', remarks a client of emerging companies specialist Chris Keen. Sarah Ilic is just one of the firm's standout managing associates.

The Cambridge office of Withers LLP serves as its main UK hub for work in the technology and life sciences sector, which encompasses advice to established healthcare and tech businesses, start-ups and market disruptors, venture capital investors, family offices, charities, and university spin-outs in the local Cambridge ecosystem and around the world. 'The team is brilliant and we feel like we're always in safe hands', remarks one client. Lead partner Susanna Stanfield and senior associate Mary Harley are the key contacts in Cambridge, where IP specialist Richard Penfold, global head of venture capital James Shaw and other VC partners frequently work. Stanfield recently advised Molten Ventures on its £5m investment into Zaptic.

BDB Pitmans has 'a rounded team, with depth of experience to really look after clients and get the job done'. Rather than taking a sector-specific approach, the firm is focused on serving a broad base of regional private-client entrepreneurs, SMEs and large corporate organisations across East Anglia and beyond. The 'exceptional' Duncan Walker leads the practice. Clients remark that he has a 'calm pragmatic approach to getting deals done'. 'Ruthlessly efficient' associate Ross Fletcher plays a key role in the firm's M&A, joint venture, and corporate restructuring work.

HCR Hewitsons is a long-established player in the Cambridge market, and it maintains a strong bench of partners who advise both large and early-stage companies. Head of the Cambridge office Inger Anson leads the corporate practice, while Rebecca Quinn is head of the commercial team. Partners James Lawrence, who is a key adviser on corporate finance matters, and Laurence Evans, who frequently handles M&A deals, private equity transactions and venture capital investments in the technology sector, are highly regarded by clients and peers. Anson assisted Immaterial Ltd with its £13.5m Series A funding round, and Lawrence advised shareholders of Suttons Performance Packaging Ltd on the company’s £13.7m sale.

Howes Percival LLP's Cambridge office plays an increasingly important role in its firm-wide corporate, commercial and banking practice, led by James Stephen, who has hired at junior level to expand the local team. Associate Josie Rogers joined from Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors and legal director Ollie Flowers from BDB Pitmans. Clients appreciate their 'top-class advice and support', and note that Stephen has 'a very pragmatic approach to getting deals done'. The firm is a key adviser to private equity investors and has a strong presence in mid-market deals locally and beyond East Anglia.

Taylor Wessing LLP has a strong niche practice advising on venture capital investments into spin-outs, early-stage and multinational companies, many of which are based around Cambridge. Its focus on life sciences and technology sees it frequently involved in the commercialisation of innovative products. Practice head Ross McNaughton, who focuses on the biotech, medical devices and diagnostics sectors, and senior associate Oli Denne  'have solid commercial acumen and an ability to distil the negotiation dynamics into clear recommendations'. IP specialist Adrian Toutoungi also has a central role in the practice.

Ashtons Legal joins the ranking this year having recruited Nick Palmer from Mishcon de Reya LLP in early 2024. Palmer advises companies on corporate transactions, in particular business sales and acquisition and is experienced working with both established companies and start-ups. He spearheads the firm's efforts to serve local SMEs and owner-managed businesses, building on the firm's strong presence in key sectors, among them technology, care homes, banking, and education.

The Cambridge office of Stone King LLP is part of a firm-wide practice that provides general corporate, M&A and commercial advice to businesses in the education and charity sectors, with a key focus on impact ventures and social enterprises. The group is led from London by Miguel Pereira, but local partner Tamsin Eastwood is vastly experienced in both corporate and financial services transactions. She recently assisted Petroc College on a proposed sustainability project to decarbonise and reduce energy costs.

Woodfines LLP joins the ranking this year having developed a presence in the region for its corporate and commercial practice. Senior associate Gillian Harding works from the Cambridge office, having joined the firm in 2023 from Heckford Norton in Essex. The firm's 'competent and efficient' cross-office team, which is led by Maria Gallucci in Milton Keynes, focuses on advising SMEs, partnerships and private limited companies in key sectors such as transport, recruitment, professional service firms, manufacturing, green energy and agriculture. Harding specialises in the drafting of commercial contracts.