Brabners LLP draws considerable praise from clients for its ‘focused and commercial’ approach. The team is well-positioned to advise on the full scope of corporate and commercial work, including M&A, group organisations, private equity, contracts, e-commerce and data protections matters. The practice is jointly steered by Mark Rathbone and Richard Hough. Rathbone is noted for his expertise in the media, tech, supply chain and logistics and renewables sectors, while Hough is a commercial contracts and healthcare specialist. Elsewhere in the team, Andrew O’Mahony heads the firm’s banking and finance team and handles a considerable amount of private equity and finance work. Colin Bell advises on IP strategies, commercial contracts, licensing arrangements and data protection matters, while Rupert Gill provides M&A advice to corporates, AIM-listed companies and registered providers of social housing. A litany of charities and social enterprises turn to David Maples for advice on governance and constitutional issues, while John Spofforth handles issues relating to both national and international corporate transactions. Other names to note include managing partner Nik White, Nicola Lomas, who specialises in the sale and acquisition of dental practices, and Victoria Trigwell. Michael Brabner is also recommended.

Operating across a number of sectors, including, but not limited to life sciences, manufacturing, public, tech and infrastructure, the corporate and commercial team at DLA Piper UK LLP manages a steady stream of deals for a diverse portfolio of clients. James Kerrigan oversees the practice alongside Sarah Bell; Kerrigan is noted for his focus on the private equity space, while Bell specialises in joint ventures and multi-million-pound outsourcing and commercial transactions. Peter Brook regularly advises on supply, agency, distribution, outsourcing, joint ventures and collaboration agreements, and Paddy Dwyer stands out for his expertise in commercial contracts.

Praised as ‘approachable and responsive’, the team at Hill Dickinson LLP is equipped to navigate a wide spectrum of high-value corporate transactions, ranging from mid-market private equity to cross-border work for local and international companies. Practice head Matt Noon is a key port of call for public companies, private companies, entrepreneurs and institutional investors seeking advice on M&A transactions. Mike Jones is recommended for his expertise in the retail, logistics, leisure and property sectors, while Jonathan Brown regularly receives large corporate instructions from listed clients. Elsewhere, Sue Russell maintains a strong M&A practice, handling both public company and private company transactional work, and Craig Scott is routinely instructed by large corporates and private equity investment funds. Other notable individuals include private equity specialist Michael Murphy and Elan Iorwerth.

DWF enjoys a strong reputation in the retail sector, acting for a host of leading domestic and international clients. The team earns further praise for its experience in M&A, management buy-outs and shareholder matters. Darren Walsh has specialist expertise in solar PV and battery storage, bioenergy, anaerobic digestion, district heating, tidal and green hydrogen production. Rachael Burke regularly advises clients on commercial contracts, and Liz Clark is noted for her focus on corporate matters. Paul Rimmer is also recommended.

Praised for its 'great collaborative approach', the 'very flexible' corporate team at CG Professional Limited is experienced across a number of sectors, including sports and media, healthcare, construction, retail and tech. Thomas Prince is a key port of call for local clients seeking assistance in various aspects of contract work. He co-heads the team alongside Jennifer Gallagher, who is experienced in international M&A transactions, strategic investments, capital structures, corporate reorganisations, shareholders agreements and implementing joint venture structures.

Lauded for its ‘attention to detail’, the corporate and commercial team at DTM Legal LLP handles corporate restructuring, IP and M&A matters, acting for a mix of banks, wealth management firms and corporates. Leading the practice is Edward Barnes, who stands out for his specialism in domestic and international joint ventures, advising UK owner-managed businesses, large corporates and foreign companies. Philip Whitehurst is noted for his expertise in the private equity and venture capital investment spaces.

Rated for its ‘excellent communication‘, the ‘knowledgable’ team at Napthens LLP advises a mix of owner-managed businesses, family companies and large corporates on the full scope of corporate transactions, including M&A, buy and build strategies, business and share disposals, and succession planning. Practice head Kieran Donovan draws the following praise from clients: ‘highly experienced and understands the local landscape very well.’

Weightmans LLP houses a ‘really helpful, pragmatic and commercial’ team, noted for its expertise in private equity, M&A, data protection and IT matters. The practice is routinely engaged by a host of blue-chip clients, entrusted with advising on a steady stream of transactions. Both Seray Kitchingman and Tom Trowhill lead the practice, and between them specialise in a range of corporate and commercial issues. Gary Jones  handles shareholders agreements, mergers and acquisitions, MBOs, joint ventures, private equity, fundraising and AIM flotations.