With a strong reputation for advising on regulatory and contentious partnership matters, Addleshaw Goddard is a popular choice for professional service firms including law, accounting, real estate, and financial services. The partnership practice is also highly adept at handling cross-border cases, partnership transactions, SRA and FCA investigations, and IP matters. Leading the group is William Wastie, who is noted for being ‘supremely knowledgeable’ and ‘always available.’ He has deep experience assisting on international mergers, strategic development, and internal governance issues, as well as LLP disputes for law firms, financial services businesses, architects, and consultancy firms. The team also benefits from the expertise of Aster Crawshaw – who has expertise in leading on M&A and international structuring – and Jon Cheney – who has extensive knowledge of both contentious and non-contentious partnership matters such as international and domestic mergers, reorganisations, and joint ventures. Johnny Cakebread stands out for his breadth of practice which covers mergers, acquisitions, and disposals, international structuring, constitutional and governance reviews, and regulatory issues. Other key practitioners include Ben Sanderson and Luc Swietochowski, both of whom have strengths in partnership transactions. Chris Hallinan departed the firm in June 2023.

Noted for its ‘exceptional, stand-out practice in partnership and employment law,’ CM Murray LLP is a go-to firm in the London market for partnership matters. The group boasts a breadth of expertise, offering both contentious and non-contentious assistance including disputes, structuring, M&A, regulatory, advisory, and discipline, and is instructed by clients from various industry sectors including law, accounting, chartered surveyors, and financial services. The ‘excellent’ Sarah Chilton and the ‘experienced’ Zulon Begum co-lead the team and bring a wealth of specialism to the department. Chilton, who is qualified to practice in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, stands out for leading on partner wrongdoing and misconduct, discrimination, and restrictive covenant issues, as well as investigations, team moves, and exits, while Begum is highly adept in advising on non-contentious matters ranging from international structuring to governance and remuneration issues. Founder and managing partner Clare Murray has built an impressive reputation in the partnership space for her extensive experience handling partner conduct and performance cases, partner exits, and team moves, alongside restrictive covenants, discrimination, whistleblowing, and litigation. The practice also benefits from the aptitude of Corinne Staves who is capable of launching new firms, compliance and regulations, governance and structuring, and team moves. Emma Bartlett concentrates on partner moves and restrictive covenants, while Beth Hale handles allegations of misconduct and behavioural issues. Andrew Pavlovic and Wonu Sanda are other notable name in the group for their expertise in regulatory and compliance issues, and partner misconduct and investigations, respectively.

The professional partnerships practice at Farrer & Co is well versed in the intricacies of transactional, contentious, and investigatory partnership matters. The team has extensive experience leading on noteworthy restructuring, disputes, departures, and team moves. With cross-border capabilities, the group continues to attract new clients from a wide range of industry sectors such as law, architecture, asset management, and FCA-regulated businesses. Jonathan Haley, described as a ‘consummate solicitor,’ leads the department and specialises in advising clients in regulated sectors on transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, and disposals. His former position as Honorary Secretary of the Association of Partnership Practitioners makes him an asset to the practice. The group also benefits from the aptitude of Anna Birtwistle who stands out for her breadth of expertise which covers both the contentious and non-contentious spheres- she frequently advises hedge fund, wealth management, and private equity partners on partner entries and exits, remuneration, disputes, and investigations, and has experience acting before the High Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Employment Tribunal. Eleanor Rowswell concentrates on exits, appointments, and disputes, while Kathleen Heycock focuses on investigations, team moves, disputes, and acquisitions. Alice Yandle stands out for her prowess handling joining arrangements and investigations and Georgina Fraser is noted for her proficiency in partnership agreements, acquisitions, and disposals. The group’s capabilities have been bolstered by the addition of Pooja Dasgupta, who joined the team in November 2023 from CM Murray LLP.

Recognised as a ‘superb firm who are really at the top of the partnership game,’ Fox & Partners has a broad partnership offering which covers both contentious and non-contentious matters. While the group focuses on dispute resolution, it is capable of handling exits and retirements, discrimination and harassment, and whistleblowing allegations, as well as lounge clauses, investigations, and disciplinary issues. With a growing client base, the team is predominantly instructed by businesses from the professional services and financial services sectors. Co-heading the department are partnership specialist Catriona Watt and litigation expert Caroline Field. Watt is sought after for her expertise in departures and arrivals, partner rights and entitlements, and fiduciary duty matters, while Field is noted for her aptitude in leading on disputes regarding rights and entitlements on exit, misconduct, and remuneration. The practice also benefits from the proficiency of Dean Fuller who concentrates on contentious and advisory matters such as disputes, partner moves, and cross-border matters. Ivor Adair stands out for his experience advising hedge fund and law firm partners on contentious exits and LLPs. His position in the Legislative and Policy Committee of the Employment Lawyers Association makes him an asset to the team. Other notable names in the department include Shoshana Bacall and Shiv Raja, both of whom are adept in advising on conduct and harassment investigations, as well as vastly experienced firm founder Ronnie Fox.

With ‘phenomenal technical expertise, depth of experience and a considerate personable approach,’ Fox Williams LLP has an extensive partnership offering which covers both contentious and non-contentious matters, mergers, structures, LLP conversion, and partner moves, as well as litigation, arbitration, investigations, and regulatory and compliance. Housing a breadth of expertise and cross-border capabilities, the group has amassed an impressive client roster which continues to expand. Daniel Sutherland leads the team and stands out for his ability to ‘overlay practical advice with regulatory considerations.’ He concentrates on non-contentious matters and is predominantly instructed by international law firms on domestic and cross-border structuring. On the contentious front, Gavin Foggo is the main contact at the practice and has deep experience leading on arbitrations and investigations, alongside offering regulatory advice. Aron Pope, Joanna Chatterton, and David Butler are noted for their aptitude in handling partner disputes, including advising on investigations and regulatory elements, while the ‘efficient and capable’ Ed Livingstone is active on contentious and non-contentious cases. The group also benefits from the expertise of Rebecca Richardson, who is described as ‘one of the very best senior associates in the business,’ for her ability to assist on complex contentious matters

Using a multidisciplinary approach to partnership law by incorporating its disputes, corporate, employment, and regulatory practices, the partnerships and LLP group at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is proficient in handling a range of contentious and non-contentious matters including exits, structures, mergers, and disposals, as well as joint ventures and ESG matters. The team predominantly represents clients from the legal and financial services sectors and with its cross-border capabilities and breadth of expertise, has gathered an impressive and growing client roster. Co-leading the department are Malcolm Lombers and Alan Watts – Lombers is adept in advising global consultancies, law firms, hedge funds, and asset managers on international partnership issues, while Watts is instructed by hedge funds, global law firms, and real estate organisations on disputes. The practice also benefits from the expertise of Tim Leaver who is noted for his prowess in contentious, non-contentious, and advisory matters. He frequently leads on setting up LLPs, team moves, and investigations. Nick Wright stands out for his experience acting before the Employment Tribunal and the High Court in partnership disputes, as well as handling transactions, investigations, and outsourcings.

Kingsley Napley LLP‘s partnership and professional practices group consists of practitioners from multiple practice areas including employment, regulatory, criminal, and litigation, among others, which enables the team to offer comprehensive services to clients. The department is experienced in assisting LLPs and individual partners from legal, accountancy, and financial services businesses on contentious and non-contentious issues such as misconduct, immigration, and cross-border matters. Adrian Crawford and Iain Miller co-head the team and bring with them a slew of expertise – Crawford is adept in mediation, often acting in arbitration and mediation, as well as representing clients before the Employment Tribunal and the High Court; Miller is noted for his aptitude in SRA regulatory advisory work, assisting clients in investigations, SDT proceedings, compliance, and structuring. Corinne Aldridge stands out for her breadth of specialism which includes investigations, retirements, performance issues, and Tribunal and High Court claims. John Young focuses on negotiating and drafting control and remuneration structures and advising on disputes, while Jessica Clay is adept in contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters. Financial services expert Andreas White handles disputes, exits, competition, and discrimination claims.

The LLP and partnership group at Lewis Silkin has amassed an impressive client roster consisting of clients from the legal, accounting, and financial services sectors due to its strong partnership offering which includes contentious and non-contentious assistance. The team is experienced handling domestic and cross-border matters ranging from expulsions, investigations, and team moves, to mergers and acquisitions, compliance, and agreements. Heading up the practice is Clive Greenwood, described as having the ‘safest pair of hands in this sector’ and specialises in disputes and litigation within the financial services sector and frequently litigates before the courts in London and Belfast. The capabilities of the department have been bolstered by the arrival of Chris Hallinan who joined in July 2023 from Addleshaw Goddard. He brings with him a wealth of experience handling non-contentious and professional services regulatory matters including transactions, restructuring, regulatory approval, and governance matters. Michael Burd concentrates on contentious matters including litigation, arbitration, and agreements, while head of the investigations team Karen Baxter focuses on allegations of wrongdoing and professional misconduct. Other key practitioners include Frances Simm, Eleanor Diamond, Nicholas Hadaway, and Fergus Payne.

With expertise in partnership and LLP disputes, Mishcon de Reya LLP‘s employment practice is a popular choice for clients from the financial, accountancy, and professional services sectors. Alongside disputes, the group has deep experience assisting on structuring, exits, and whistleblowing claims which has continued to attract new clients to an already strong roster. Daniel Naftalin leads the team and focuses on contentious and non-contentious employment matters such as High Court and Employment Tribunal litigation, discrimination issues, and restrictive covenants. He is also an expert in advising on termination, competition, and recruitment for LLPs and partnerships in the professional and financial services sectors. Joanna Blackburn is noted for her scope of practice which includes advising LLPs on partnership matters and litigating international and high-profile disputes before the Supreme Court. Jennifer Millins specialises in discrimination and whistleblowing claims, High Court restrictive covenant and team move injunctions, and equal pay disputes, while Greg Campbell concentrates on disciplinary investigations within the financial and professional services sectors. He is adept in regulatory compliance and frequently advises on Remuneration Code issues and the Senior Management Regime.

With a strong offering covering both contentious and non-contentious matters ranging from whistleblowing, discrimination, and harassment claims, to restrictive covenants, entitlements, and contracts, the employment practice at Winckworth Sherwood LLP is capable of handling various employment and partnership issues domestically and internationally. The group has seen a recent trend in individual partners requiring advice on partnership withdrawals and moves, as well as investigations due to dysfunctional, discriminatory, and inappropriate behaviour by partners. Andrew Yule leads the team and has extensive experience leading on senior arrivals and departures, reorganisations, transactions, and disputes. Bettina Bender is another notable name in the department and is sought after for her expertise in disputes, exit arrangements, misconduct allegations, and investigations. Louise Lawrence focuses on partner exits, forced retirements, expulsions, and discrimination claims within the legal, financial, and property sectors, while John Hiscock concentrates on setting up LLPs. Jo Keddie departed the firm in March 2024.

Clyde & Co‘s professional practices group has extensive expertise in regulatory, employment, practice structures, and partnership disputes. The team offer both contentious and non-contentious services, as well as offering advice on transactional issues domestically and internationally. Co-leading the department are Richard Harrison, Chris Holme, and Simon Vere Nicoll – Harrison heads the firm’s lawyers’ liability, regulatory, investigations, and disciplinary group and specialises in handling investigations and defending clients in regulatory, disciplinary, and conduct matters, while Holme focuses on discrimination and employment issues and is predominantly instructed by law and accountancy firms. Nicoll stands out for advising on the full life-cycle of partnerships, from incorporation to exits.

Offering both contentious and non-contentious assistance such as planning, structuring, transactional issues, and disputes, the partnership practice at Dechert LLP is geared to handle matters arising from the investment management and financial services sectors. Heading up the group is Jason Butwick who is ‘an expert in his field and uses his sector knowledge to provide complicated advice in a user friendly way.’ He stands out for his scope of practice which covers agreements, disputes, structures, and litigation before the High Court. Cross-border partnership specialist Daniel Hawthorne has extensive experience handling multijurisdictional matters in the US, Europe, and the Middle East.

The partnerships practice at Forsters LLP represents a wide variety of clients including high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, landed estates, families and trusts, and private and commercial investors. The group continues to attract new clients due to its cross-border capabilities and its contentious and non-contentious offering. The group’s prowess has been bolstered by the addition of Jo Keddie as the head of the team after her arrival from Winckworth Sherwood LLP in April 2024. She is recognised in the market for her deep expertise in contentious matters, frequently acting before the High Court, Employment Tribunals, and international arbitrations in disputes, and assisting in investigations, negotiations, and mediations. Andrew Lane is another notable name in the group for his aptitude in advising individuals, families, and trusts on capital taxation and succession. Danielle Crawford and Daniel Parker, who also joined the practice in April 2024 from Winckworth Sherwood LLP, have experience in partner exits, harassment, discrimination, whistleblowing, and competition issues.

Howard Kennedy LLP‘s partnership practice houses a full-service offering which includes both contentious and non-contentious assistance ranging from formations of LLPs, dispute resolution, and compliance. The group has particular expertise in the real estate, investment funds, reputation management, and media relations sectors. Co-leading the group are formations, structures, and disputes specialist Robert Craig, and contentious and advisory expert Jane Amphlett. Craig is regularly instructed by professional partnerships, trusts, and charities on partnership and co-ownership disputes and the operation of non-profits, while Amphlett concentrates on partner appointments and departures, remuneration structures, and restrictive covenants within the professional and financial services sectors. Sam Murray-Hinde is noted for her aptitude in handling contentious matters such as investigations, exits, and discrimination and whistleblowing claims.

With a cross-departmental professional practices and LLPs group which incorporates the firm’s corporate, M&A, employment, tax, and financial regulation teams, Macfarlanes LLP is capable of handling complex cross-border partnership matters including transactions, disputes, and regulatory issues. The practice’s capabilities have attracted a strong client base consisting of businesses from the professional and financial services sectors. Jessica Adam heads up the team and specialises in advising private equity houses, asset managers, and LLPs on mergers. Employment specialist Hayley Robinson concentrates on recruitment, exits, and disciplinaries and grievances, as well as tribunal proceedings and contractual issues. On the tax and structuring front, Jeremy Moncrieff is the main contact at the firm for his expertise in advising on complex M&A transactions involving LLPs and partnerships.

Weightmans LLP‘s partnership practice encompasses its compliance and regulatory departments enabling the team to house a full service offering, covering both contentious and non-contentious matters such as disputes, insolvency, and structuring. The team focuses on the legal professional and health sectors and continues to attract new clients from these industries. Andrew Cromby heads up the team and is noted for his ‘knowledgeable, approachable, understanding and very efficient,’ approach. He specialises in advising on partner moves, restrictive covenants, and constitutional issues. Medical partnership expert Edwina Farrell stands out for her extensive experience forming partnerships, assisting on retirements, mergers, and contracts, and representing clients in disputes. On the regulatory front, Susanna Heley is a key contact at the firm for her aptitude in handling investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and statutory appeals to the High Court.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP‘s cross-departmental partnership team advises partnerships, individual partners, and private equity funds on regulatory matters, transactions, employment law, partnership disputes, and investments. The group is led by Charlie Ring who concentrates on assisting clients from the financial services sector. Nick Hurley stands out for his experience acting before the Employment Tribunal and civil courts on matters pertaining to discrimination and whistleblowing claims.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys employs a multidisciplinary approach to its partnerships group, bringing together practitioners from the firm’s corporate, litigation, regulatory, and insolvency practices to bolster its cross-border capabilities. The team is adept in handling contentious and non-contentious partnership matters including disputes, regulatory issues, and transactions. Co-leading the department are Robert Capper and Rachel Khiara – Capper is noted for his expertise in advising professional practices and partners on structuring and disputes, while Khiara is recognised for her aptitude in leading on regulatory matters, partner admissions and exits, and transactions, as well as drafting constitutional documents, profit sharing arrangements, and advising on voting and management rights.

The main contacts within Keystone Law‘s partnership practice include Peter Garry, Clive Howard, and Emma Clark. Garry, who ‘has excellent knowledge of the law, and a high level of commercial awareness,’ is recognised for his extensive expertise in partnership disputes, while Clive Howard is adept in handling whistleblowing, breach of contract, and discrimination claims, as well as profit share disputes and partner moves. Clark, who stands out for her ‘knowledge of partnership and board disputes,’ concentrates on advising on contractual documentation for new joiners, exits, and post-termination restrictions. The team is regularly instructed by professional services businesses including accountancy and law firms.

With expertise in establishing partnerships, structuring, and mergers, as well as management issues, regulation, and partner and team moves, the partnership practice at McCarthy Denning is regularly instructed by law firms, accountancy practices, surveyors, and planning consultants. Leading the group is Tina Williams, who stands out for her ‘wide range of technical expertise and business acumen.’ Williams is adept at handling both contentious and non-contentious matters, alongside international structuring. James Froud concentrates on appointments, departures, and disputes, and has experience acting in arbitrations and claims before the High Court and Employment Tribunal.

Specialising in the financial services sectors, Simmons & Simmons‘ partnership group has strengths in advising individuals and partnership structures on strategic partnerships, wealth management transactions, setting up LLPs, restructuring, and acquisitions, to name a few. Ania Rontaler leads the department and concentrates on UK and US asset management companies, assisting with partnership arrangements, conversions, and member exits. David Hicks, who joined the team in January 2023 from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, focuses on non-contentious matters for asset and wealth management partnerships, while Martin Shah has expertise in advising on tax matters relating to partnerships and LLPs both domestically and internationally.

VWV‘s partnership and LLP practice stands out for its niche focus on medical partnerships, offering clients assistance on transactions, structuring, and agreement amendments, among other matters. Bristol-based Jos Moule heads the group and has experience acting on both contentious and non-contentious matters, including professional practice mergers. Another notable name in the department is Oliver Pool, also based in Bristol, who specialises in advising GP practices on agreements, disputes, and contractual arrangements.