Browne Jacobson LLP‘s strengths include handling M&A, management buy-outs and restructuring matters. The practice has recently been engaged in high-profile transactions with cross-border elements, spanning the infrastructure, education and technology industries. Richard Cox heads up the practice, leading on acquisition matters, while Gavin Cummings is experienced in handling management buy-outs and private equity issues. Nigel Blackwell often advises shareholders regarding restructuring and reinvestment issues, and Mark Hughes advises on acquisition and investment matters within the manufacturing sector. Sam Sharp often acts for shareholders and sellers, and his recent caseload includes high-value international transactions. Matt Bolton is a key contact for private equity and venture capital transactions, while Sian Rose assists on reinvestment issues. Vicky Tomlinson is also recommended for transactions in the healthcare and life sciences space.

Nottingham-based practice Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP specialises in high-profile M&A matters. Considered by his clients as ‘the epitome of a trusted adviser’, Jon Cox-Brown consistently advises on high-value acquisitions and investments, often working on deals with multi-jurisdictional elements. With a focus on advising technology companies, Cox-Brown’s areas of expertise extend across the automotive, sports and financial services industries.

Situated in Nottingham, Freeths LLP specialises in M&A, corporate finance matters and complex commercial contracts. The practice often handles high-value deals with cross-border elements, and its offering spans the transport, financial services and cosmetics industries. John Heaphy heads up the practice and is a key contact for acquisition finance work and settlement agreements. Ania Vernon has recently led real estate matters involving divestment and acquisition issues, and Maddy Scott frequently assists on corporate governance matters, with a focus on advising clients from the cosmetics and automotive sectors.

Predominantly engaged in high-value international transactions, the team at Shoosmiths LLP is an ‘experienced full-service M&A practice’ that specialises in M&A for large corporates and negotiating contractual agreements. Practice co-head Crispin Bridges Webb leads the corporate team, and is a key contact for handling acquisitions across a broad range of sectors, including the infrastructure and financial services spaces. Co-leading the practice, Michelle Craven-Faulkner heads up the commercial team, and with expertise in commercial contracts, including negotiating settlement and franchise agreements, with a focus on advising international retail clients. Marcus-Adam Tuck has been noted for his ‘diligent and detail-oriented’ work, assisting on cross-border acquisition matters within the corporate team.

Austin Moore & Partners LLP‘s corporate offering handles M&A, agreements and restructuring matters. Lauded for its ‘very personal service’, Dav Jaspal, Laura de Banke and Austin Moore jointly lead the practice. Jaspal has recently been engaged in numerous manufacturing deals, primarily leading acquisition matters and negotiating financial covenants. de Banke specialises in private equity matters, and focuses on acting on disposals across an array of sectors, including the transport, care and biofuel industries. With a focus on transactional work, Moore often advises shareholders and conducts due diligence for national and international clients. Emma Campbell frequently assists on negotiating acquisition documents and financial covenants, and she is particularly active in advising manufacturers.

Commended for the team’s ‘professional, commercial, pragmatic’ approach, Derby-based practice Flint Bishop specialises in national and international M&A transactions, property joint ventures and contractual work. Practice co-head Martyn Brierley leads on corporate transactions, and primarily advises shareholders and sellers on acquisition and management buy-out issues; Brierley’s areas of expertise include the manufacturing, construction and rail industries. Co-head Haroon Younis oversees the commercial deals, and is experienced in handling complex intellectual property matters and negotiating contractual frameworks for technology and software clients. On the corporate side, Mark Wilcock has recently acted for sellers on management buy-out and demerger issues, with his caseload straddling the construction, care and property sectors.

Based in Nottingham, Gateley Legal‘s corporate offering comprises cross-border transactions, private equity work and investment issues, primarily advising clients from the financial services and software industries. Victoria Elliott heads up the practice and her recent caseload includes advising shareholders on acquisition matters. Mark Rutherford specialises in cross-border transactions and is knowledgeable of EOT matters. Lauded by her clients as ‘supremely knowledgeable, confident and capable’, Beth Mather is experienced in advising shareholders, particularly working on financial services deals, while Matt Hussey leads on M&A matters within the software industry, and frequently assists on cross-border deals and co-investment issues.

Operating out of Derby and Nottingham, the team at Geldards LLP focuses on M&A, restructuring issues, and commercial contract negotiations. Debra Martin heads up the corporate team, with expertise in capital investments and restructuring issues across the legal and retail sectors. Alongside Martin, Jamie Goldberg leads the commercial team, and specialises in handling specialist commercial agreements for high-profile individuals and corporations within the sports and music industries. Part of the corporate team, Paul Feenan leads on employee ownership trust issues, while Peter Seary specialises in cross-border acquisitions for food and drink companies. Simon Davers often handles acquisitions for motor clients, while Jenny Chatten is knowledgeable of management buy-outs, and Manjot Shokar works on a broad range of acquisition matters.

With offices in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, Nelsons Solicitors Limited (Part of Lawfront) specialises in M&A, restructurings and commercial agreements, primarily advising local businesses. Practice co-head Alice Rees leads the corporate team, advising on acquisitions and disposals across a wide range of sectors, including the healthcare, retail and construction spaces. Fellow co-head Emma Toes oversees the commercial team and offers advice on compliance, competition law and distribution agreements. Specialising in complex acquisitions and disposals, Duncan Taylor‘s recent caseload consists of healthcare and retail matters, while Gavin White has focused on advising software clients. Rachel Bennett is knowledgeable of demerger issues, while Sarah Gregory frequently assists on M&A matters, and Hannah Jones assists on M&A matters across the fire protection and engineering industries.

Nottingham-based practice Shakespeare Martineau LLP is equipped to handle a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, with a primary focus on national clients across the healthcare, energy and engineering sectors. Roger Harcourt heads up the corporate team, leading the specialist healthcare subdivision; Harcourt is a key contact for refinancing, funding and SME issues. Practice co-head Selina Hinchliffe leads the commercial team, and often negotiates contractual agreements for clients within the energy sector. Alongside her, Ed Wright has extensive experience in drafting an array of agreements, including licencing provisions, IP ownership and joint venture agreements, often handling multi-jurisdictional matters. As part of the corporate team, Duncan James is knowledgeable of acquisitions and management buyouts.

With offices in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, Rothera Bray s corporate offering comprises M&A and employee ownership trust matters across a broad range of sectors, including the construction, retail, agriculture and automotive industries. Toby Preston co-leads the team from Nottingham, and his recent caseload includes demerger and management buyout matters. In Derby, practice co-head David Kaplan is knowledgeable of employee ownership trusts and international acquisition matters. Praised by clients for her ‘commercial approach’, Derby-based Liz Mills is skilled at advising on M&A matters.

Based in Derby, Smith Partnership‘s capabilities include M&A matters, employee ownership trust transactions and negotiating contractual agreements. Practice head Fraser Cunningham‘s recent caseload consists of advising on negotiating licence and share purchase agreements, particularly for clients in the sport and recruitment sectors. Gemma Gallimore is knowledgeable of restructuring and demerger issues, with her work spanning the IT and recruitment sectors.