Situated in Leicester, BHW Solicitors specialises in advising insurance brokers and is often engaged in M&A, employee ownership trust and restructuring matters, both nationally and internationally. Ed Nurse heads up the practice, and his strengths include leading restructuring issues and drafting shareholder agreements. Leading the secured lending team, Matt Worsnop has recently been engaged in acquisition matters, with a particular focus on acting for property surveying companies. Stephen McElhone primarily acts for shareholders on acquisitions and disposals, with his areas of expertise covering the insurance and accountancy sectors. Alex Clifton leads on demerger and management buyout matters, while Cameron Connolly frequently assists on acquisitions and disposals, primarily acting for shareholders.

In Leicester, the offering at Freeths LLP is active across a broad range of areas, including the home care and retail industries, and the real estate sector. The team is well-equipped to advise on real estate and development finance matters, as well as the acquisition and disposal of corporations. Martin Smith co-leads the team and often assists clients with major investment and fundraising matters, M&A, and private equity-related mandates. Practice co-lead Phil Baigent is particularly adept at handling private healthcare focused work, regularly advising care operators and real estate investment trusts. Known for her specialism in the retail sector, Hannah Tessyman is a key contact for M&A, investment issues and corporate reorganisations, areas in which Grace Hill is also knowledgeable. Smith, Tessyman, and Hill all joined from Knights plc in 2024.

With offices in Northampton and Leicester, Howes Percival LLP has a broad corporate and commercial offering, advising on cross-border deals straddling the food and drink, automotive and construction sectors. Co-leading the corporate team from Northampton, Matthew Thompson is frequently instructed by shareholders and sellers on M&A matters, whilst in Leicester, co-head Gareth John is knowledgeable of investment issues. Heading up the commercial team from Leicester, Paula Dumbill is a key contact for handling commercial contracts and TUPE issues, while in Northampton, Miles Barnes is skilled at drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and supply chain contracts. Forming the corporate team in Leicester, Jeremy Hyde leads on joint venture transactions and reorganisations, while Katherine Cereghino specialises in M&A matters. In Northampton, Will Taylor frequently assists on M&A transactions, with his caseload including cross-border deals across the technology and retail industries.

Operating out of Leicester and Lincoln, Shakespeare Martineau LLP‘s corporate offering encompasses a range of transactional matters, with healthcare and financial services companies being the most prominent on the firm's client roster. In Leicester, practice head Lisa Botterill leads on M&A matters and advises on tax structuring issues, areas in which Charley McEvoy also frequently assists. In Lincoln, Michael Squirrell is active in advising on acquisitions, with his broad caseload covering cross-border deals across the legal and IT industries.

HCR Hewitsons‘ corporate team specialises in M&A transactions, and Christopher Nuttall and Charlotte Thorton-Smith jointly oversee the practice from Northampton. David Browne‘s key services include drafting demerger documents and share purchase agreements, with his sector focus straddling the property, food and drink and packaging sectors. Primarily advising healthcare and dentistry clients, Neil Harpham is a key contact, while Anne-Sophie Reynolds assists on acquisition and demerger issues, with a focus on the farming and agriculture industries. Notably, Motunrayo Adeeyo frequently assists on partnership agreements, predominantly advising dentistry clients.

With a focus on property investments and agricultural business issues, Roythornes Solicitors is noted for its broad corporate and commercial capabilities encompassing group restructurings and M&A. Practice head Martin Jinks primarily acts for shareholders on share issues including transfers and reorganisations, while Julia Seary is skilled at negotiating supply agreements and providing advice on joint ventures and governance issues. Mike Matthews and Lizzie Walters are key contacts for property work and restructuring issues; Matthews’ recent client roster includes golf clubs, while Walters’ broad client base covers the property, mining and pharmaceutical industries. Beth Wallace assists with private equity and property matters, while Oliver Peckham is knowledgeable of vendor-related matters.

Based in Lincoln, Sills & Betteridge LLP’s client base primarily comprises manufacturing, construction and engineering companies. Practice head James Conduit is skilled at advising on demerger and MBO issues, often acting for shareholders from vehicle companies. Martin Walsh is a key contact for drafting and negotiating leasing agreements and investment paperwork, often working on deals that involve the US. Praised by clients for his ‘efficient, quick and direct yet straightforward approach’, Euan McLaughlin leads on restructuring, management buyout and investment issues.

Counting farms, agribusinesses and investment funds on its client roster, Chattertons is equipped to handle transactional work and contractual agreements. Anna Horrell heads up the practice from Stamford, and her expertise covers M&A matters, advising on buybacks and drafting funding and partnership agreements. Specialising in farming deals, Horrell’s caseload encompasses the property development and agriculture industries. In Lincoln, Stuart Newell is knowledgeable of M&A and shareholders agreements, often working for charities and agricultural businesses.

Situated in Chesterfield, CMP Legal Limited is equipped to handle M&A, issues involving EOTs and commercial contracts. The team’s broad sector focus spans the rail and professional service industries, with an increasing focus on handling purchases and sales for a variety of healthcare businesses. Practice head Anna Cattee is experienced in both corporate and commercial issues, often handling complex EOT and acquisition matters, as well as drafting corporate governance and distribution agreements. Focusing on corporate transactions, Amelia Bacon often assists on acquisition matters for dental practices and pharmacies.

Leicester-based practice Nelsons Solicitors Limited specialises in property transactions, and is often instructed by owner-managed businesses, SMEs and PLCs. Recognised by clients for his ‘commercially-minded’ approach, Rik Pancholi heads up the team and offers his experience in share sales and purchases across the property, telecoms and media sectors. Ziaur Rahman specialises in demergers, property transfers and business purchases.

Predominantly acting for manufacturers, Wilson Browne Solicitors‘ corporate and commercial offering comprises shareholder agreements, restructuring issues and management buyouts. Practice head Holly Threlfall specialises in share purchase agreements and group restructures, recently having advised clients within the manufacturing, wealth management and engineering sectors. With a focus on advising veterinary clients, Corby-based Duncan Crowther is skilled at handling demergers and management buyouts. Andrew Kerr is a key contact for restructuring issues, while Rebekah Hobbs often negotiates buyback agreements. Unless stated otherwise, all of the individuals that are mentioned are based in Northampton.