Praised as ‘highly competent, professional and creative’, the corporate team at Aaron & Partners LLP is a key port of call for national and international corporates, as well as owner managed businesses, with a focus on the tech, renewable energy and care sectors. The team handles a range of work including company restructures, mergers, acquisitions, and equity and debt investments. Steering the practice is the ‘reliable and knowledgeable’ Stuart Scott-Goldstone, who assists on all aspects of corporate and commercial law, with a focus on corporate finance transactions and corporate reorganisations and restructurings. Elsewhere in the team, the ‘fantastic’ Jamie Hawley has experience in advising owner-managed businesses across many sectors on a wide range of corporate matters, while Jennifer Harrison is noted for her experience in drafting shareholders’ agreements, partnership agreements and investment documents.

The ‘professional and courteous’ team at Gorvins Solicitors assists clients with a broad range of corporate matters, including acquisitions, management buyouts, disposals, outsourcing, e-commerce, and agency arrangements. Counting public and private companies, owner managed businesses, SMEs, and banks among its key roster of clients, the team is active across the tech, retail, telecoms and construction sectors. The team is jointly led by Andrew Curwen, who stands out for his specialism in advising businesses in the wealth management sector, and Christian Mancier, who is a key contact for family businesses. Paul Lupton advises on commercial contracts with a focus on the IT sector, Rowan Uren handles matters including share and asset acquisitions, MBOs, corporate reorganisations, and joint ventures.

Fielding a ‘well-managed, efficient and effective’ team, Myerson Solicitors handles the full spectrum of corporate and commercial matters, regularly acting for owner-managed businesses and SMEs. Practice head Mohammed Akeel Latif, noted for his ‘very pragmatic advice’, and leads on corporate matters, such as M&A, equity investments, and restructurings. Latif is supported by Andrew Brown, who focuses on corporate work for SME clients, and Terry Moore, who has particular expertise advising clients in the technology, manufacturing and professional service sectors.

Lauded for its ability to provide ‘excellent value’, the ‘very knowledgeable’ team at Napthens LLP advises on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, assisting banks, private equity firms, and public companies. The practice regularly handles corporate finance work involving mergers, equity investments, and restructurings. At the helm of the practice is a trio of experts: Keith Melling, who handles the full scope of transactional matters; Richard Robinson, who regularly advises on high-profile transactions; and Jon Esner, who specialises in drafting commercial agreements, with a particular focus on IT procurement.

The corporate team at Brabners LLP is recognised for its strength in the IT and construction sectors, advising a diverse roster of clients that includes private companies, SMEs, entrepreneurs, and family-run businesses. The practice is jointly steered by Nicola Whittle and Richard Hough. Whittle often advises large corporates and SMEs on a wide spectrum of corporate transactions, while Hough brings specialist expertise in the healthcare sector. Michael Winder is commended for his knowledge in public procurement and commercial contracts, and Mairead Platt advises on a broad range of corporate matters, including incorporations, shareholder agreements, restructures, and business sales and acquisitions.

The corporate and commercial team at Butcher & Barlow LLP is active across a broad range of sectors, with particular strength in the healthcare space. The team acts for a diverse roster of clients, comprising SMEs, corporates, and individuals, and is well-equipped to handle the full spectrum of transactional work, as well as possessing a strong track record in advising on employee share schemes. Leading the team is Justin Kelly, who is noted for his expertise in asset and share sales and purchases, as well as general commercial contract matters.

Fielding a team of ‘exceptional legal minds’, DTM Legal LLP is a key port of call for banks, alternative finance institutions, and investment entities seeking assistance on a broad array of corporate matters, including corporate restructuring, share incentive schemes, and governance strategies. Spearheading the team is the ‘very knowledgeable’ Edward Barnes, who is noted for his experience in domestic and international joint ventures, branding and IP issues, as well as share option schemes and venture capital investments. Alison Brennan stands out for her expertise in advising both commercial and charitable businesses on structure and organisation.

The ‘very approachable and professional’ corporate and commercial team at Farleys Solicitors LLP frequently advises clients within the healthcare sector on corporate restructurings and business de-mergers. The ‘superb’ Debbie King leads the team, and specialises in acquisitions and sales, complex restructures of groups of companies, investments, joint ventures and mergers. Manchester-based Richard Bell regularly acts for clients across the SME market, in particular owner-managed businesses, family businesses.

Lauded as being ‘very knowledgeable, friendly and fast-reacting’, the team at HM3 Legal handles a wide range of corporate and commercial matters across the financial, retail, manufacturing and education sectors. Practice head Anne Scheland continues to lead on complex transactional work, assisting both corporate and SME clients. Scheland is supported by Joanne Shelley who has a wealth of experience in IP and commercial law, and the ‘utterly outstanding’ Lauren Gouglas.

SAS Daniels LLP, with offices located in Chester, Stockport, Macclesfield, and Congleton, offers guidance on a broad spectrum of corporate and commercial issues, focusing particularly on SMEs. Steering the practice is Jeremy Orrell, whose extensive experience spans all types of transactions. Kaye Whitby is a key port of call for local businesses, often handling corporate transactions alongside commercial and operational issues. Meanwhile, Andy Booth  is distinguished for his specialist knowledge of the music industry.

Well-regarded for its ability to provide ‘commercial and pragmatic advice’ and for taking a ‘collaborative approach’, the team at Harrison Drury & Co advises clients across a diverse mix of sectors, ranging from manufacturing and hospitality to retail and not-for-profit, on shareholder agreements, M&A, and corporate governance. The team is led by Jack Stephenson, who stands out for his in-depth knowledge in advising clients across the retail, manufacturing, and petrochemical sectors.

Highlighted for its ‘very approachable and professional’ approach, MLP Law LLP‘s corporate practice routinely acts for business owners, SMEs, and local corporates across the tech, hospitality, catering, healthcare, and insurance sectors. Co-head Stephen Attree has a particular interest in IP-related matters, and stands out for his knowledge of matters involving the NHS. Fellow co-head Rachel Owen specialises in all types of corporate transactions and has a wealth of experience in restructures.

Noted for its ‘great professional approach’, Excello Law‘s corporate team in Chester is recommended for handling a broad range of issues, including M&A, restructuring, and commercial contracts. The ‘tremendously knowledgeable’ Robin Gill remains a key port of call for owner-managed and family-owned businesses. Other key figures include: Tom Sutcliffe, who regularly handles corporate mergers, sales and acquisitions, MBOs/MBIs and corporate re-structuring; Julie Mogan, who is noted for her work with high growth companies and SMEs; and Ian Vicary, who is active across the full spectrum of company commercial matters.

Slater Heelis (Part of Lawfront)‘s corporate and commercial team continues to go from strength to strength, with the recent appointments of Scott Sands as head of corporate and Carla Murray as head of commercial. Their arrival brings expertise in private wealth structuring, family investment companies, and the tech sector, including regtech, healthtech and fintech.

Praised for its ‘excellent professional and personal approach’, Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall (WHN) continues to handle the full scope of corporate matters, including share sales and acquisitions, shareholder and partnership agreements. Leading the team is Paul Matthews, who earns praise for his ‘superb’ attention to detail.