The Legal 500

United Kingdom > South East > Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

: ‘Clearly at the top of the Thames Valley market’, Osborne Clarke’s lawyers are noted for their ‘good speed of response and availability’. In 2011, corporate head Sara Valentine acted for Xerox in its acquisition of shares in Concept Group and Concept Group (Sales), which involved complex cross-border elements relating to the client’s plans to expand distribution into the European SMB market. Other recommended partners include James Massy-Collier, a specialist in listed company transactions; Robert Wood, who is experienced in venture capital, private equity and M&A deals; Greg Leyshon; and Russell Bowyer, who leads the commercial department.

Shoosmiths ‘knows what it takes to get a deal done’, and is ‘simply the best value for money’. Recent work includes acting for Krispy Kreme UK on its £25m MBO. The ‘personable, very commercial and responsive’ corporate department is led by ‘good team player’ Emma Gibson, a corporate finance expert whose clients include private equity houses and management teams, and the team also now includes the highly regarded Adam Dowdney, who joined from Pitmans LLP. Paul De Vince is the key contact for commercial matters. Jon Bartley has recently moved to Manches LLP’s London office.

Blake Lapthorn’s ‘excellent’ lawyers take a ‘pragmatic and business-oriented approach to structuring deals’. The firm has specialist expertise in assisting foreign buyers and sellers, and is known for working with spin-out companies and clients such as Toshiba and DHL. Practice head Edward Lee has ‘an extremely strong understanding of what is required to get a deal done’. In 2011, Nicola McConville advised on three spin-outs from Oxford University.

The ‘proactive and forward-thinking’ Boyes Turner fields an ‘outstanding’ corporate team, led by ‘good negotiator’ Robert Rice, and an ‘invaluable’ commercial team, led by the ‘first-class’ Mark Blunden. In 2011, the firm won new clients in Creston, for which the firm is now the sole provider of commercial legal services, and specialist Formula 1 automotive engineering specialist Xtrac. Rachel Fitzpatrick is also recommended, and ‘understands the business needs of the client’.

At Manches LLP, David Tighe leads a ten-strong corporate team that advised Williams F1 on its €250m listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and acted for Oxford University Press in its acquisition of MyMaths. On the commercial side, practice head Chris Shelley advised Imperial College spin-out Nexeon on various commercial agreements relating to the development of its silicon technology. Patrick Baddeley and Justin Starling are also recommended. Catherine Rohll no longer practises as a lawyer.

The level of service is ‘exceptional’ at Pitmans LLP, where the lawyers have ‘a very good understanding of the market and the specific needs of the client’. Work highlights included advising Maple Leaf Bakery UK on the partial sale of its bakery business, and assisting with various matters relating to Tesco’s acquisition of shares in Blinkbox Entertainment. Andrew Peddie is an ‘excellent corporate specialist with great expertise and experience’. Philip Weaver recently advised the shareholders of Thames Travel on its sale to Go-Ahead. Adam Dowdney has recently moved to Shoosmiths

Blandy & Blandy LLP ‘responds in a timely manner and provides sound legal advice in a commercially realistic context’. The practice is led by David Few, who ‘never sits on the fence’, and includes Nick Burrows and Deborah Brett, whose knowledge of governmental departments is ‘fantastic’. Clients include a range of SMEs and listed companies.

Clarkslegal LLP is many clients’ ‘first choice for complex instructions’. Practice head Kevin Byrne recently advised on the sale of 24 child nurseries to Co-operative Childcare, and assisted German venture capital fund eVenture Capital Partners in its investment into mydeco.com. Kirstin Parker is praised for her ‘commitment to getting a project completed’.

Commended for its ‘excellent response times and helpful advice’, Field Seymour Parkes LLP advises SMEs on all types of acquisitions and disposals, but also acts for large multinationals and groups of companies. Newly promoted partner Penelope Garden is ‘professional, honest and supportive’; Jeremy Parkes is ‘highly experienced’; and Mary Pears has ‘encyclopaedic knowledge’.

Henmans LLP is noted for its ‘top-quality, professional work’ and ‘good commercial acumen’. The ‘hardworking and thorough’ Rachel McCullough is experienced in M&A matters, and has expertise across the telecoms, food and retail sectors. The ‘very diligent’ Malcolm Sadler is recognised for his work in the IT, publishing and pharmaceutical sectors, advising entrepreneurs, growth-stage companies, SMEs and UK subsidiaries of global corporations.

At Morgan Cole, Michael Stace advises both public and private companies on a range of corporate transactions, while commercial specialist Alison Patten-Hall acts in IP and IT matters for clients ranging from individuals to large multinational corporations, educational establishments, NHS trusts and research authorities. Guy Constant and Bruce Potter are also noteworthy individuals.

Spratt Endicott provides ‘excellent responses and good advice’ to a number of commercial clients along the M40 corridor, specialising in the drafting and negotiation of high-value commercial contracts and agreements. Recommended individuals include Hitendra Patel and practice head John Spratt, who has over 25 years’ experience in company and commercial law.

Thomas Eggar LLP is well known for corporate finance work in the engineering and technology sectors, and also has strong multi-jurisdictional experience, having handled transactions in Europe, Africa and the Middle East in 2011 alone. John Riddick has a strong background; having previously worked for an international law firm in its Bahrain and London offices, he specialises in domestic and cross-border M&A as well as commercial matters.

White & Black Legal LLP maintains a strong focus on technology-related matters, and acts for a number of venture capital funds and hi-tech corporations. The ‘approachable and knowledgeable’ John Allen leads the M&A practice, which delivers ‘specialist legal support and general legal business advice’. Phil Riman is ‘able to support a transaction smoothly to a conclusion with minimum direction’. Mark Hodac is also recommended.

Brethertons LLP’s ‘very good’ team ‘compares favourably in terms of service levels’. Practice head Brian Auld has over 20 years of commercial law experience, and is praised for his ‘understanding of business issues and level-headed attitude’. The firm has niche expertise in advising schools on becoming academies.

Clifton Ingram LLP’s ‘experienced team’ is highlighted for its ‘competitive fee structures’ and ‘good service’. The ‘very hands-on’ Bill Annan leads the department in a range of corporate, commercial and contractual matters, including M&A, business sales and purchases, private equity and corporate finance.

The ‘incredibly refreshing’ Darbys Solicitors LLP fields a ‘very cost-effective and efficient’ team whose lawyers are ‘very personable and responsive’. Practice head Jonathan Williamson has ‘a practical understanding of real business’, and Nick Hedges is also recommended. New clients include The Co-operative Bank and Asia TV.

Gardner Leader LLP gained a number of new clients based in London and outside the Thames Valley region in 2011. Greg Humphreys heads the commercial team, which includes managing partner Derek Rodgers. Derek Child has retired as senior partner, but remains a consultant.

Herrington & Carmichael LLP’s corporate and commercial offering is led by ‘excellent dealmaker and strong networker’ Yavan Brar, who specialises in transactional work, including M&A and corporate restructuring.

Richard Baxter’s team at Withy King LLP handles instructions with the ‘utmost professionalism’ and in a ‘timely manner’. New clients include St Hilda’s College (Oxford University), Mulberry Events and JML Industries.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2013 www.legal500.com