Jointly led by the ‘established, knowledgeable, and client focused’ lawyers, Andrew Yates and James Brawn, Debenhams Ottaway is well regarded for its high value M&A, finance, and business structuring work in the banking, manufacturing, construction, property and tech industries. Yates brings expertise in acquisitions, disposals, and transaction finance, while Brawn has niche specialism in transactions with insolvency elements and pre-packaged administrative sales. Rebecca Lorne is experienced in family investments and shareholder structures, while Sarah Liddiard assists clients with data protection law, notably privacy policies and data subject access requests.

Dentons fields a ‘concise, commercial and practical’ team, which is a key port of call for regional, nationwide, and global clients in the retail, banking, consumer and telecoms sectors. The firm is headed by Christopher Colclough, an expert in corporate and financial work, while Faye Garvey specialises in private M&A work. Francesca Bettermann is adept in the sale and purchase of motor dealerships and Ryan Chia handles transactional work.

Freeths LLP offers a comprehensive service in corporate finance and transactional work for individual entrepreneurs and major multi-national companies. The firm is headed by Jonathan Hambleton, who draws on over two decades of experience in M&A, joint ventures, corporate restructuring, banking and equity finance to advise clients in the hospitality industry. Natalie Drought is a strong choice for hospitality and leisure clients, while James Cowell is skilled at acquisition finance related work.

Howes Percival LLP‘s corporate, commercial, and banking team is widely recognised for its significant volume of transactional work in the region, with particular expertise in the automotive, retail, and private equity sectors. Andrew Harris is a key consultant, while Tom Redman is a skilled corporate lawyer and has a strong presence within deals for major local corporate finance intermediaries. Gary Smith brings substantial experience in the full range of corporate and commercial law including M&A, JVs, and shareholder advice.

The ‘responsive and professional’ team at Moorcrofts LLP is recognised for its M&A prowess, but also sees a steady flow of work on company reformation, exit strategies, share schemes, B&F, tech law, and commercial law. The team is also a key port of call for both startups and global businesses with a client roster in the healthcare, automotive, and financial services. Corporate head Teri Hunter brings significant M&A and disposals expertise, drawing on over two decades of experience to advise companies on transactional work. William Pearce is adept in a broad range of commercial matters, including acquisitions, disposals, and MBOs. Frequently handling tech disputes is Tim Astley, and Kate Prentis is a key contact for complex corporate restructurings, M&A, corporate governance, and shareholder matters.

Shoosmiths LLP retains a strong regional reputation for its ‘pragmatism, common sense, and ability to deliver at scale and speed’ in corporate and commercial transactions, while holding a notable distinction in the automotive sector. The practice routinely acts for an upper mid-market client base within the tech, financial, healthcare, education, and professional services industries. Leading the private equity team is Amit Nayyar, a specialist in fund strategies, transactions, investments, and M&A for both local and international jurisdictions. Claire Checketts heads the corporate team, drawing on considerable experience in buy-side and sell-side transactions, as well as acting for private equity houses across a range of sectors. The commercial sector is led by Robin Webb, who brings expertise in complex commercial and tech sourcing products, while Sebastian Price, a seasoned commercial lawyer, focuses on IT outsourcing, software licensing, and development. Wayne Gibbard has over two decades of working in-house to advise on strategically important restructuring and regulatory changes.

Fielding a corporate and commercial team dedicated to providing ‘expertise, attention to detail, and a willingness to go the extra mile’, the Gerrards Cross-based practice at B P Collins LLP is a key port of call for HNW individuals and UK branches. The team is headed by Alex Zachary who advises on commercial and compliance issues for high value clients in numerous sectors, while David Smellie is a specialist in sales and acquisitions, shareholders agreements, investments, and EMI schemes. Simon Deans brings expertise in commercially focused advice with a pipeline in urgent technology matters, while Beth Miel is noted for her business, share sales, and acquisitions expertise.

Blaser Mills Law often advises its international client base on M&A transactions, investments, group reorganisations, and joint ventures. Oksana Howard brings expertise in a range of corporate transactions, including buying and selling companies, management buyouts, and mergers. Colin Smith handles reviews and preparations of contracts, offering particular expertise in the commercial exploitation of IP rights, data protection, and franchising.

Longmores Solicitors LLP’s broad workload consists of M&A, restructuring, corporate finance, and commercial agreements. The team is headed by the ‘responsive and very knowledgeable’ Michael Budd, who boasts deep experience in all areas of corporate law, advising on early stage investments to acquisitions, disposals, and group restructurings.

Machins Solicitors LLP operates across the full range of corporate and commercial work, advising on the acquisitions and sales of businesses, negotiating commercial contracts, reorganisations, and restructuring. Praised as ‘approachable and knowledgeable’ Jon Alvarez draws on decades of experience as a commercial and financial strategy advisor to support high net worth individuals and their associated businesses and investments. Max Lesser handles private equity investments, while Dan Bradley specialises in corporate and asset finance, with notable experience in commercial property matters.

Capable of advising clients across a diverse array of industries, including professional services, real estate, and high tech, SA Law LLP advises on the gamut of corporate and M&A work. The team is headed by Vincent Billings, an experienced advisor on corporate-focused work, tax implications, and regulatory concerns. Sharon Mitchell specialises in advisory work for directors, managers, and entrepreneurs to optimise legal aspects of their organisation, while Nikki Petken draws on her in-house background in the media industry to advise on commercial agreements in this sector.

Highly active in the healthcare sector, Shakespeare Martineau LLP enjoys a strong reputation for its corporate transactional work, assisting clients across key healthcare subsectors including dental practices, pharmacies, opticians, veterinary practices, and children’s nurseries. Mark Thompson handles both corporate and commercial transactions, while Jordan Glackin boasts deep experience working with healthcare operations in the acquisition and sales of healthcare businesses. Other key members of the team include Gemma Tyson and Kate Taken.

Equipped to handle M&A, disposals, private equity transactions, and public company dealings, Sherrards Solicitors LLP frequently assists clients across the retail, hospitality, and entertainment industries on corporate and commercial matters. Leigh Head leads the practice and routinely advises clients within the creative industries on private equity transactions, banking, finance, and corporate restructuring.

The ‘highly professional and dedicated team’ corporate and commercial team at Taylor Walton LLP has experience handling acquisitions, disposals, and business reorganisations, often with a cross-border element. The practice is headed by Simon Hughes, who advises management teams, corporates, and investment funds on a wide range of corporate transactions, while Jeremy Brockis handles joint ventures, shareholder agreements, and private equity transactions. Peter Kouwenberg is often engaged in the drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts, with expertise extending to tech, outsourcing, and construction projects, while Toby Walker works closely with buyers and sellers in M&A transactions.

VWV houses a ‘straightforward and commercially minded’ corporate and commercial team, which is a key port of call for clients in the healthcare, corporate banking, tech, pharma, and education sectors. The team is headed by Richard Phillips, a specialist in transactional and non-transactional corporate law, who regularly handles M&A work, corporate finance matters, and regulatory matters, while Emma Cameron often advises high-net-worth individuals, businesses, and banks. Specialist in commercial, IP, and IT is Paul Gershlick, who has niche expertise in the intersection of tech and the pharma and life sciences sector, while Samantha Chaney is noted for her corporate work for the education sector.

Praised as ‘highly experienced and very client-focused’, Carter Bond Solicitors is well-regarded for its capabilities in healthcare transactions. The firm’s founder Reena Popat heads the team and handles international work pertaining to business acquisitions, refinances, and disposals, while Nikesh Shah is adept at navigating complexities within corporate law, with particular specialism in the M&A space. The team has also been strengthened by the recent arrival of Louisa Slimm in late 2023 and Haaris Butt in July 2024.

Praised as a ‘very professional and approachable firm’, Neves is a key port of call for education and care provider businesses. The group is also geared to handle company sales and acquisitions, fundraising and lending agreements, IT agreements, investments, and corporate reorganisations. The practice is headed by Stewart Matthews, while Kim Sayer ‘shows commitment to getting the best solution.’

Praised as ‘knowledgeable and competent from top to bottom’, Nockolds Solicitors is well-versed in mergers, acquisitions, and disposals across the insurance, professional services, and manufacturing sectors. James Brunton heads the corporate and commercial team, drawing on over two decades of experience in the field; his practice extends to share buybacks, share schemes, and inward investment. Nicola Lindop regularly handles high-value corporate transactions, in addition to advising clients on debt, finance matters, restructuring, and commercial agreements.