Based out of Cardiff but by no means limited to work in the immediate geographical vicinity, Acuity Law provides 'pragmatic and sensible advice' to regional, national and international businesses across a wide range of transactional and commercial contractual matters. Drawing upon an 'innate commercial instinct of when to push and when to keep things in reserve', Christian Farrrow is a popular choice among financial services and energy-based clients, in particular, which are appreciative not only of his 'impressive knowledge of the relevant law and the sector' but also his very effective use of innovative technology to streamline the process. The healthcare sector also remains a fertile source of work for the team, with Beverley Jones, Jon Lawley and Phillip Pugh all regularly engaged in transactions in the space, including advice to care home operators on their M&A activity. Promoted to partner in June 2023, the 'very able' Tom Saunderson is 'totally pragmatic' and continues to gain traction among start-ups, in particular, as they grow their businesses through venture capital funding. Paul Lowe has developed a strong reputation advising on M&A transactions across a range of sectors, including on cross-border matters, and along with firm chair Stephen Berry brings a large measure of institutional knowledge to bear as a result of their many years in private practice. Jones and Farrow co-head the corporate team, while Declan Goodwin  takes the lead on the commercial front.

Leveraging the expertise of 'consummate professionals', including many who have been at the forefront of the South Wales corporate market for a number of years, Blake Morgan LLP is a popular choice among corporates, owner-managed businesses and SMEs, which are appreciative of the firm's 'refreshing work ethic and pragmatism'. Drawing upon strong local business ties corporate head James Williams  leads from the front and is well-placed to provide a 'responsive and very efficient' service to clients from a range of industries on their most pressing transactional needs. Richard Jones is also central to the firm's success and continues to provide forward momentum to its private equity/venture capital offering, with the Development Bank of Wales and LDC regularly instructing him on their investment activity. James Vaughan also continues to impress, handling a range of transactional work for high-net-worth individuals, owner-managed businesses and large corporates. Penri Desscan heads up the commercial practice group and excels in servicing both private and public sector clients, including as it relates to drafting long-term supply contracts.

With a reputation that transcends the local market, much of Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP transactional corporate work involves targets based in England and internationally, where the team can effectively leverage the firm's broader footprint. Under the guidance of Paul Pugh, the practice has developed a particular strength advising on M&A mandates within highly regulated sectors, including insurance and financial services, with London-based private equity firm Pollen Street Capital continuing to provide a regular flow of work to the group on its M&A in the sector. Shelley Evans  is also a key member of the team servicing clients on financial services M&A, including regular work for Specialist Risk Group on its insurance broking M&A. The commercial team is spearheaded by the vastly experienced Matthew Gough and also includes Eve England , who excels at advising clients on their digitisation strategies as well as being noted for her broader fintech prowess.

The 'commercially astute' team at Geldards LLP is a popular choice among corporates and funds on both the buy and sell-side of M&A transactions. Within this context, as well as handling conventional private equity-backed and strategic M&A, the team has developed niche expertise handling Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) which continues to gain popularity as a means for SME business owners to divest their share in a business and to avoid capital gains tax (CGT) liability. Corporate head Andrew Morris is highly attuned to the needs of local businesses, both as a result of his fee-earning work for clients, including in the tech, healthcare and financial services, as well as through his role as a member of the Business Council of the Cardiff Capital Region  which promotes the needs of businesses in South Wales. Alex Butler also remains a pivotal member of the team particularly in relation to private equity/venture capital-backed mandates, both on the sell side as well as for financial sponsors on their inward investment. Butler also continues to cultivate the firm's strong relationship with Development Bank of Wales, advising it on its internal fund structures as well as in connection with its investment activity. Chris Williams heads up the commercial offering, helping to service both private sector clients as well as the firm's impressive roster of public sector entities.

Leveraging a 'good depth of professional knowledge' throughout the team, Hugh James provides 'highly attentive and commercially minded' advice to an impressive roster of longstanding regional heavyweight corporate clients, including S.A Brain & Company and Rockwool, on their ongoing commercial requirements as well as on ad-hoc corporate transactional work. The firm's already strong presence in the sports and media sectors were recently enhanced following the merger in July 2023 with boutique firm Loosemores  Solicitors, with that firm's name partner Mark Loosemore  a leading expert on work in the sector. The 'strong, pragmatic and commercial' Gerallt Jones  also handles a considerable volume of sports-related transactions as part of his broad-based corporate/M&A skillset, including a considerable amount for longstanding client Welsh Rugby Union. Greg Williams is 'a good communicator and provides high levels of sector expertise', particularly in the context of healthcare-related M&A deals, as well as work for investors in the life sciences sector. Aled Walters , who heads up the commercial side of the practice, is particularly acclaimed for his work negotiating complex commercial contracts for clients in the media, tech and gaming sectors.

'Well-connected' to the local business milieu, Berry Smith regularly acts for SMEs and owner-managed businesses across a broad range of corporate transactions, including on JV structuring and M&A mandates. 'Outstanding' team head Andrew Bound is at the forefront of much of the highest-profile work handled by the team, including on sale processes under EOT arrangements. Although he handles work for clients from a myriad sectors, Bound has developed a particular specialism within the life sciences/diagnostics space, including work for an AIM-listed company which he advises, inter alia, on regulatory work associated with its listing. The 'hardworking and responsive' Emma Borrington provides 'cost-effective' advice to clients across a broad range of corporate law and governance, including advice on management buy-outs (MBOs), whether on behalf of the selling shareholders or the management team. Paul Evans particularly stands out for his healthcare-related corporate work which includes advice on GP partnership agreements and NHS surgery mergers.

The 'knowledgeable, customer focused and responsive' team at Darwin Gray LLP provides 'a pragmatic approach' to local businesses, and aims to 'resolve issues and move transactions forward', including for SMEs engaged in M&A processes. 'Very experienced' team head Stephen Thompson epitomises this approach, providing a 'commercial angle to everything that he advises upon', including on franchising matters. Senior associate Siobhan Williams also continues to thrive, regularly acting as a go-to practitioner internally for lawyers from other departments requiring corporate advice, as well as acting on her own in relation to M&A processes, including within the veterinary and manufacturing sectors.

With a strong reputation among local owner-managed businesses and SMEs, as well as handling some work for larger multinational businesses, including Dawn Meats, Swansea-based firm Douglas-Jones Mercer continues to receive a considerable flow of transactional work, as well as ongoing corporate governance and commercial mandates. 'Incredibly intelligent and focused' team head Sheraz Akram has been instrumental in the firm's growth profile in recent years and regularly takes the lead on complex M&A transactions, as well as large-scale restructuring processes. Aaron Hayward has niche expertise advising on sales and acquisitions in the financial services sector.

 

The 'outstanding' team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys continues to gain traction in the market since opening its doors in February 2020 and provides 'first-class advice' to an impressive and growing roster of owner-managed businesses, SMEs and corporates across a broad swathe of transactional and commercial contracts-related work. The 'commercial and solutions oriented' Martyn Davies has been pivotal to the firm's success on the transactional front, leveraging his deep institutional knowledge of "what is market" on M&A deals - including those backed by venture and private equity. On the commercial front, many of the lawyers are able to provide additional insight as a result of in-house experience, including blockchain and fintech expert Nicola McNeely , who was previously in-house at the Royal Mint. David Beynon has successfully built up the firm's client base in tech-focused disruptive industries, excelling in advising on outsourcing agreements, the commercialisation of IPR and software development.

Primarily located in Swansea but also with a growing presence in Cardiff, JCP Solicitors has excellent traction with South Wales-based SMEs and owner-managed businesses, in particular, advising them across a wide range of their day-to-day business needs, as well as on ad-hoc transactional work. The 'exceptional' Betsan Powell is at the forefront of many of the team's highest-profile corporate transactions, whether it be in relation to JV structuring or acting on the buy or sell-side of M&A transactions. Michael Williams  co-heads the team alongside Powell and is able to draw upon a vast reservoir of institutional knowledge developed over many years in private practice, including as it relates to local accountants on partnership and succession issues. Under the guidance of consultant Chris Davies, the firm also continues to excel in advising Dentists and Pharmacists buying and selling practices throughout England and Wales.

Led from Swansea by the vastly experienced William Barletta, the 'knowledgeable' team at Morgan LaRoche provides 'practical advice' to local owner-managed businesses, SMEs and larger corporates engaged in work across a range of industry sectors, including healthcare and energy. The scope of the work is broad, running the gamut from commercial contract drafting through to advice on corporate reorganisations and M&A transactions. Under the leadership of the 'personable and responsive' Christopher Evans, the firm also continues to grow its presence in West Wales out of the thriving Carmarthen office, with clients appreciative not only of the team's impressive legal knowledge but also its ability to provide advice in the Welsh language. The arrival in 2023 of Aberystwyth-based lawyer Catherine Byers  further enhances the firm's presence in West Wales, as well as providing a bridgehead for clients in Mid Wales and further north.

Drawing upon a 'real understanding of the SME market', the 'experienced and partner-led' team at Lewis Silkin is a popular choice among funds, including the British Growth Fund (BGF), on their investments in the space. Much of this work is led by Geraint Tilsley, who is 'very strong technically and commercially' and has over his many years in private practice developed good traction among US-based private equity funds and corporates, regularly advising them on their inbound UK investments.

While the firm perhaps lacks the private sector corporate ties of many of its higher ranked peer firms, Dolmans is able to leverage strong public sector ties developed by the firm's market-leading personal injury defendant offering, regularly picking up commercial contracts and ad-hoc corporate work required by such entities. Team head Justin Harris provides effective representation of these clients, as well as having a strong grounding on contractual drafting and corporate governance-related matters for sporting bodies/organisations.

The ‘extremely competent’ team at Newport-based firm RDP Law is well-versed at advising local SMEs and owner-managed businesses across a range of corporate and commercial matters, including in relation to M&A matters, restructuring and drafting shareholder agreements. As well as handling work for corporates, ‘very knowledgeable and commercial’ team head Henry Clarke also regularly advises high-net-worth families on their business interests.