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Headed by Stuart Scott-Goldstone, Aaron & Partners LLP’s three-partner Chester-based team is instructed by an impressive roster of largely SME clients including Meadow Foods, Selwyns Travel and Sanderson. Also active on the venture capital side, the group has advised Liverpool Seed Fund, RisingStars Growth Fund and investee companies on numerous exit and fundraising projects.

Bolstered by the recent arrival of Gill Gardner from Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand, Brabners Chaffe Street LLP’s two-partner Preston-based team goes from strength to strength, and is picking up increased market share in Lancaster and Cumbria, with advisory work a more prominent factor over the past 12 months. Department head John Boydell advised Blackpool Borough Council on the £5m investment in Blackpool Pleasure Beach to fund a new theme park.

Hill Dickinson LLP’s Sally Wightman is the driving force behind the firm’s Chester office, and continues to attract major instructions from the likes of Chester Race Company, Chester Zoo, and Hawker Beechcraft.

At Stockport-based Gorvins, Paul Lupton and Andrew Curwen lead dedicated transactional teams. Highlights included advising Tandom Metallurgical Group on its joint venture with US corporate Chinook Sciences. Its expertise on the commercial side includes supply contracts, partnership and shareholder agreements, and franchise and distribution agreements.

At KBL, Jonathan Shorrock and Philip Stephenson are popular choices for a client roster largely made up of owner-managed businesses. The team advised on a mix of MBOs, demergers and equity investments, and is increasingly active in commercial matters.

With its corporate team spread across its offices in Blackburn and Preston, Napthens LLP is a staple of the Lancashire landscape, and is instructed by a growing number of corporates including Panaz, Intrinsic Technology and Smith Equipment Hire Group. Department head Keith Melling advised NIS Holdings on its acquisition of Hold Engineering.

Headed by M Akeel Latif, Neil Myerson LLP’s three-partner team has a strong reputation in the south Manchester market, in particular for its work for owner-managed businesses. Recent highlights include advising the shareholders of SMI on the sale of part of the business to Care UK Clinical Services.

Headed by the ‘experienced and knowledgeable’ Geoffrey Blower, Slater Heelis’ five-strong team has expertise across a broad range of corporate matters including reorganisations, M&A, partnership agreements and corporate governance. On the commercial side, the ‘thorough’ Samantha Lansbury is recommended, in particular for IP-related matters. Clients include Sykes Seafoods, J&S Lewis, and Reed Medical.

Daniel Milnes heads the team at Blackburn-based Forbes.

Jeremy Orrell heads the team at SAS Daniels LLP, and is noted for his ‘excellent knowledge and commitment’.

Kay Waddington at Stephensons Solicitors LLP has an excellent reputation in the local SME market.

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