Known for its strength in international transactions, Birketts LLP‘s team of experts handles the full scope of matters relating to capital markets and private equity, in addition to employee incentives issues. The group is well-known for advising on corporate acquisitions, disposals and agreements, and has vast experience spanning the insurance, IT, financial services and motor sectors. M&A expert Adam Jones leads the team from Chelmsford, and is a key contact for private equity clients, with his broad workload consisting of reorganisations, demergers and corporate governance matters. Rafael Ruiz is sought out by private and institutional investors and corporates for support with both domestic and international M&A transactions, which are also Alex Forwood‘s primary areas of expertise. Heidi Bond stands out due to her specialism in the corporate aspects of employee ownership transactions. Caroline Nicholls left the firm in February 2024.

Well-regarded for its expansive expertise in employee ownership trusts, Birkett Long LLP handles a broad caseload of sales, acquisitions and financing matters, shareholder and joint venture agreements. Often collaborating with the firm’s multidisciplinary environment and energy group, the team handles a growing number of mandates for energy infrastructure clients, with a strong focus on long-term contracts. Practice head Tim Field handles both domestic and cross-border M&A, and is recommended for his experience in the healthcare, insurance, and construction industries.

Ellisons Solicitors is noted for its renewed focus on leveraged financing, subordinated debt, and balance sheet management matters. The group was bolstered by the arrival of Chelmsford-based Philip Slater, whose vast expertise spans acquisition and real estate finance, corporate lending, debt financing issues. Dividing his time between the Chelmsford and Colchester offices, practice head Paul Forsyth routinely assists clients with sales and acquisitions, group reorganisations, shareholder and partnership agreements, and commercial contracts. Forsyth is well supported by Abigail Williamson, who is adept at advising on share sales, management buyouts and employee ownership trusts.

Equipped to handle the full gamut of M&A, disposals, joint ventures and private equity transactions, Tees Law frequently assists clients with the negotiation and drafting of agreements concerning the supply of goods and services, IT, and IP licensing and franchising arrangements. Lucy Folley leads the practice, and is recommended for her broad knowledge of corporate transactions and internal reorganisations, while Claire Powell‘s varied caseload consists of reorganisations and M&A, in addition to directors’ duties and corporate governance related matters. Routinely acting for start-ups, SMEs, charities, and international companies, Baljeet Kaur is an expert in asset and share acquisitions and disposals, as well as joint venture and partnership agreements. Tracey Dickens joined the practice in October 2024.

With vast experience in the construction and healthcare sector, Thompson Smith and Puxon's multifaceted practice is well-known for its strength in reorganisations and demergers, with a strong focus on issues surrounding distribution agreements, compliance, shareholder agreements, and terms of sale and purchase. Heading the Colchester-based team, Mary Anne Fedeyko is noted for her handling of cross-border mandates, while Nick Mayles is particularly adept at advising clients on the sale, acquisition and internal arrangement of dental practices. Caroline Nicholls joined the firm from Birketts LLP in February 2024, bolstering the group’s capabilities across the software, property, construction, energy and professional services segments.

Praised by clients for its ‘excellent personal service’, Aquabridge specialises in the sale and acquisitions of owner-managed businesses, and is noted for its broad capabilities in financing and corporate governance, in addition to the structuring of shareholdings. The team is jointly led by Keith Vincent and Simon Letts, who are both recommended for their extensive experience in share and business sales, management buyouts, and the establishment of employee ownership trusts. Vincent is also noted for his strong expertise in transport and logistics sector. The practice is well-supported by Osman Imtiaz, who is well-versed in M&A, corporate governance, and commercial contracting matters.

Palmers’ corporate and commercial group routinely collaborates with the firm’s employment and commercial litigation groups to assist clients with business acquisitions and sales, shareholder and partnership agreements, and issues concerning director’s duties. The team is jointly led by: Matthew Johnson, who routinely handles major corporate transactions, BJ Chong, who is a key name for banking and finance sector clients, and Luke Morgan, who leads the firm's employment team. Jonathan Hol joined the team in September 2023, handling a broad array of transactional matters alongside Johnson.

Praised for its ability to ‘adapt to any challenge and offer bespoke solutions‘,  BTMK Solicitors is noted for its broad expertise across the pharmaceutical, sports, entertainment, and logistics sectors. The team is co-led by Ian Powell in Southend-on-Sea and Lee Emptage in Rayleigh.

Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP's broad workload consists of M&A and corporate restructurings, in addition to matters involving commercial contracts, franchise agreements, and finance security documentation. The team is co-led by Fiona Colwell, who regularly advises clients on share and asset sale transactions, and shareholder and partnership agreements, and Mark Deans, who is noted for his strength in property-related transactions.

Noted for its expertise in private owner-managed businesses, Pinney Talfourd LLP's practice is led by Julien Pritchard. The group is well-placed to advise on matters involving founder exits, succession transactions and group reorganisations. The group routinely collaborates with the firm's family, commercial property and employment practices.