Addleshaw Goddard‘s corporate and commercial practice is well versed in advising on leading transactions, commended for its ability to advise on high-profile M&A, capital markets, and private equity work. The team is particularly skilled at handling corporate transactions in the financial services, technology, and retail sectors. Richard Hunt has over two decades of experience, advising local and national clients on multi-million pound, complex deals. Peter Wood is key to the team, specialising in M&A transactions for private equity houses and private companies. Mark Hallam leads the international financial services M&A practice, representing banks, asset managers and wealth management businesses, while James Tatro has vast experience in retail and consumer transactions. Adam Hastings has a practice focused on national and international corporate transactional and advisory work, with a focus on IPOs, secondary fundraisings, and listed company acquisitions. The firm has been bolstered by the arrival of Francis Scarisbrick and Charlotte Bontoft from Walker Morris LLP in October and November 2024, respectively.

DLA Piper fields a ‘top-tier team’, advising a leading portfolio of household names and international corporates on cross-border, complex M&A transactions, along with multijurisdictional restructurings. The team has particular strength in the healthcare and life sciences sector, along with the technology, energy, and retail spaces. Leading the team are John Gallon and Matthew Duncombe, both with broad practices with expertise advising on M&A and private equity transactions. Gallon works closely with US-based clients, and focuses on the tech and consumer goods sectors, while Duncombe also co-chairs the hospitality and leisure practice. Stephen Atkinson‘s practice centres on healthcare and renewable energy mandates, while Amar Maan has expertise in financial services, infrastructure, and transport matters, and Victoria Rhodes excels in the life sciences sector.

A variety of leading household names and high-calibre clients rely on the expertise of the team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, which is skilled at handling high-value deals, as well as complex corporate reorganisations; private equity work is another key strength of the team. The practice is renowned for its international reach, working closely with other offices across the country and in key jurisdictions. Amanda Partland leads the practice, regularly advising multinationals on complex deals and cross-border reorganisations; she also heads up the food and beverage team. Robin Johnson, Steven Hacking, and Robin Skelton are also key to the team, and Thomas Howell excels in private equity mandates.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s corporate and commercial practice acts on a number of high-profile transactions for leading clients, routinely acting for household names. The team is skilled at handling both public and private M&A matters, and is adept at advising on private equity and capital market transactions. Members of the practice have expertise spanning the government, energy, retail, and technology sectors. Andrew Black leads the team, with experience working on complex transactions, advising leading public company clients on equity capital market transactions, and cross-border M&A. Andrew Kerr regularly advises FTSE 100 companies, and works with many of the firm’s international clients, and is key to the team, along with Andrew Senior, who has expertise in the infrastructure, energy transition, and business service sectors. Catherine Hemsworth and Rob Cunningham are also noted for their private equity expertise.

The corporate and commercial practice at Squire Patton Boggs is ‘highly commercial and focused on delivering the best outcome for clients’, with vast experience advising private equity houses and portfolio companies on leading national and international transactions. Members of the team are skilled at handling matters spanning the tech, healthcare, financial services, and fintech sectors. Hannah Kendrick and Paul Jinks lead the ‘efficient practice’, with expertise in complex cross-border work; Kendrick has specific knowledge of equity capital markets, while Jinks is renowned for his technology expertise. Paul Mann provides ‘excellent advice and client service’, and Jonathan Ross is recognised for his ‘pragmatic and commercial approach’. Louise Parker is also a key name to note.

Praised by clients as ‘the best corporate team in Leeds’, the team at Walker Morris LLP has an expansive practice covering intricate private equity and public company work, often with a cross-border component. The firm is skilled at acting for high-profile clients in a number of sectors, including the food and drink, manufacturing, tech, and financial services spaces. Richard Naish leads the department of ‘excellent, highly accessible lawyers that provide a first-rate service’, and is renowned for his food and drink expertise, and experience in public company matters. John Hamer, Debbie Jackson, and Daniel O’Gorman are key to the practice; Jackson also leads the funds group, with extensive debt finance expertise, while O’Gorman bears responsibility for the firm’s cross-border work. Jo Stephenson is a go-to name for transactions in the healthcare space, and Michael O’Halloran was promoted to partner in May 2024.

Clarion‘s corporate and commercial practice consists of a number of ‘highly professional and exceptionally knowledgeable’ lawyers, with leading expertise acting on M&A transactions, both nationally and internationally. The tech, logistics, and manufacturing sectors are strengths of the practice, with the team also advising leading retail clients. Team head Richard Moran is ‘exceptionally knowledgeable, always professional and consistently willing to assist’, with vast experience representing private equity clients. Co-head Matthew Hattersley is well versed in commercial contracts, technology issues, and data protection work. Several other impressive lawyers are key to the team, including the ‘highly commercial and pragmatic’ Jonathan Simms, and Sarah Harrison, who is singled out as the ‘brightest and most diligent M&A solicitor’.

A ‘client-centric approach’ and ‘excellent attention to detail’ differentiate the corporate practice at Gordons LLP, which works with longstanding national clients on leading transactions. The team is skilled at handling matters in a range of sectors, with expertise in the retail, motor trade, and digital tech spaces. James Fawcett leads the ‘laser-focused’ team, working closely with significant private equity and retail clients on complex matters. Co-head Andy Brian leverages in-house experience to utilise a raft of retail expertise, with experience spanning supply chain management, manufacturing, and distribution agreements. Jonathan Asquez specialises in advising shareholders on a range of M&A transactions, while Duncan Firman works with high-profile insurance clients. Amy Pierechod is also noted, with vast tech industry expertise.

Mills & Reeve LLP‘s corporate and commercial team is well known for its ability to handle high-profile, complex mandates, specialising in advising clients in the education and government sectors. Acting on high-profile private equity matters, and intricate corporate reorganisations are also strengths of the team. Paul Johnson and Martin Priestley lead the team; Johnson has experience in M&A for private and public companies, with a particular focus on the healthcare, insurance, and technology sectors, while Priestley is skilled at advising universities on complex commercial projects and international collaborations. Joanna Jowitt focuses on the waste management and financial services sectors. Alex Kenworthy, Vanessa Walton, and Mark Ashton are also key to the team.

Shoosmiths LLP is particularly skilled at handling a wide range of complex corporate and commercial matters, yielding expertise in complex IT procurements and digital transformation projects, global manufacturing work, infrastructure matters, and complex IT work. The team is adept at handling complex technology joint ventures and software development issues. James Foster heads up the practice, and is recognised for his ‘pragmatic approach’. Foster’s practice centres on corporate finance work, with a focus on M&A and private equity transactions, and is joined at leadership level by Alex Kirkhope, who has extensive IT and technology experience. Simon Procter is key to the practice, with experience in complex cross-border transactions, and Natalie Redfern excels in private equity deals.

The practice at Freeths LLP is ‘friendly and approachable, and offers pragmatic solutions to problems’, regularly advising on private acquisitions, corporate restructurings and reorganisations, and employee ownership trusts. Members of the team work closely with tax and competition specialists. Dahren Naidoo specialises in private equity transactions, acting for institutional investors and management teams. Naidoo leads the practice, which also features Andy Francey, Frank Suttie, and Mark Lumley.

Schofield Sweeney‘s corporate and commercial team is commended for its ‘strength and depth of knowledge’, as well as its ‘very high degree of commitment in getting deals done’. Members of the practice routinely advise on high-profile acquisitions, joint ventures, and complex equity and debt financings, acting on national and international transactions. Leadership of the team is divided between a number of individuals, including Martin Sweeney, David Strachan, Steven Millward, and Karen Crutchley. Sweeney has a focus on matters in the financial services and automotive sectors, while Strachan is well versed in advising on acquisitions, business disposals, and advice on governance issues. Both Millward and Crutchley are adept at handling the full range of corporate work, covering transactional M&A work, debt and equity finance issues, and complex investments. Michael Cantwell specialises in corporate finance, and is noted alongside Angela Cashin.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is noted by clients for its ability to ‘provide an excellent blend of experience which allows it to offer pragmatic well-executed solutions’. The team is particularly renowned for its private equity work, acting for high-profile clients on leading investments, and works closely with the firm's financial services and tax teams. Simon Pilling leads the team known for its ‘varied expertise’, with James Cook noted for providing ‘pragmatic, timely and well grounded advice’.

Blacks Solicitors LLP‘s corporate and commercial team is ‘highly motivated and responsive’, acting for prominent national and international clients across a wide range of sectors. Work in the healthcare sector is a particular strength of the team, along with advising FCA regulated businesses, and holiday parks. ‘Experienced partner’ Nigel Hoyle leads the team, and has a ‘commercial attitude’, while co-head Pete Konieczko-Hansom has extensive intellectual property expertise. Lewis Goodwin is renowned for his regulatory compliance and risk management work, while Richard Buono leads much of the team’s healthcare work.

KPMG Law acts on leading national and international corporate and commercial mandates, with a client base consisting of leading local businesses and multinationals. Members of the practice act on M&A and investment matters, leading corporate reorganisations and restructurings, and corporate finance work. Edward Bartlett leads the team, with over 20 years of experience on high-value and investment transactions.

LCF Law‘s practice is ‘very professional with very good knowledge’, with significant expertise in private equity-backed transactions. Members of the team regularly act for a wide range of clients, spanning SMEs, family businesses, and multinationals. Susan Clark and James Sarjantson lead the ‘very pragmatic’ practice; Clark regularly advises SMEs and private equity houses, while Sarjantson is particularly skilled at handling matters with a tech nexus. Rebecca Ridley is well versed at handling acquisitions, disposals, and group reorganisations, while Cathy Cook specialises in EOT transactions, and is ‘always calm, detailed and available’.

The corporate and commercial practice at Raworths is ‘very friendly, personable, and easy to work with’, with experience working with shareholders, leading entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals. ‘Knowledge, experience, attention to detail, and carefully considered advice’ differentiate members of the team led by Jon Healey; Healey is skilled at advising on significant M&A and high-value transactions, and works closely with Simon Morris, who focuses on the SME space. Thaynara Charlesworth and Jennifer Watson are also key to the practice.

According to clients, Tyr offers a ‘superb service from a great team’, with expertise acting on the full gamut of corporate and commercial matters. Members of the practice have expertise spanning management buyouts, group reorganisations, and shareholder disputes. On the corporate side, Chris Blantern leads the team, with vast expertise in the financial services sector. Luisa D’Alessandro heads up the commercial practice of the firm, with extensive complementary IT knowledge. Giles Clegg joined the team from Lupton Fawcett in February 2025.

Ward Hadaway LLP‘s corporate and commercial team has vast experience spanning the healthcare, energy, and technology sectors. Members of the team often act on significant corporate transactions, and are skilled at handling complex private equity investments. Damien Charlton heads the team that notably includes Adrian Ballam and Jonathan Pollard. Ballam has expertise in corporate finance transactions and shareholder matters. Kate McLean is key to the practice, with expertise handling private investments and buybacks.

Berwins‘s corporate and commercial practice is particularly well recognised for its work with technology businesses in the region and across the UK. Paul Berwin leads the practice, with a wealth of experience advising owner-managed businesses and handling transactions with an international element, while focusing on technology businesses.

According to clients, what differentiates the practice at Bevan Brittan LLP is  its ‘ability to understand the complexity of the transaction’, whether in the healthcare, tech, or manufacturing sectors. Members of the team have experience handling complex M&A transactions for regional and national corporates, management buyouts, complex refinancings, and secondary market activity. Leading the team are Chris Harper, Christian Hunt, and Faisal Dhalla.

Brabners LLP‘s corporate and commercial practice offers a ‘consistently high-quality level of service’ for its clients, with members of the team commended for being ‘extremely professional and highly knowledgeable’. The team has a focus on the healthcare sector, and is also well versed in handling matters in the sports and technology spaces. Marcus Armstrong leads on the corporate mandates undertaken by the practice, while Sara Ludlam heads up the commercial side of the team, and works frequently for brand owners in the clothing industry. Also of note is Chris Peace, specialising in pharmacy M&A transactions.

A ‘strong knowledge of the sector and exceptional speed of delivery’ is what differentiates the corporate and commercial practice at Harrowells Solicitors, which has expertise acting on matters in the tech and manufacturing sectors. Matthew Rowley leads the practice.

Irwin Mitchell‘s corporate and commercial practice offers an ‘honest, transparent, practical and pragmatic service’ for its clients, advising across the life cycle of transactions. The team is particularly skilled at handling matters in the pharmaceuticals sector, with practice head Gavin Maddison leveraging extensive knowledge in this area. Also leading the team is Joanne Bone, who acts as practice head for the data protection department. Henry Thompson and Luke Singleton are also noted.

McCormicks offers a ‘very personal service with excellent response times’, and is well known for its corporate and commercial work in the sports and healthcare sectors. Peter McCormick is well regarded for his sports expertise, and leads the team commended for its ‘great communication’. Also leading the practice is the ‘extremely professional but also approachable’ James Towler, with expertise advising on acquisitions, joint ventures, and group reorganisations. David Leuchars is key to the practice.

Ramsdens Solicitors LLP‘s corporate and commercial team yields a ‘wealth of knowledge and expertise’, with knowledge spanning mergers, management buy-outs, private equity investments, and complex partnership agreements. Adam Cockroft leads the ‘tight knit and well-functioning team’, with a focus on large acquisitions. Stephen Newman is key to the team, and is skilled at handling capital reduction de-mergers.