Corporate and commercial: Nottingham and Derby in East Midlands

‘Their understanding of our business and ability to direct us and advise. Doesn’t make you feel like a number, always feel valued.’

‘Excellent customer relationships, tenacity to get job done. Their ability to work as normal in recent months during our sale process. Always approachable and available.’

‘Mark Hughes – an absolute pleasure to work with, really down to earth with an ability to explain / debate legal positions in a clear manner. Unlike many advisors he does not simply flag risks as a means to upsell other services – appreciates that the client often needs to be in a position to take commercial decisions based on probability and potential financial impact.’

‘A team that genuinely listens to the client’s requirements and adapts their style and approach accordingly. However, they are not scared of giving an informed opinion on how to approach a certain issue – no matter how unpopular that might be.’

‘A deep understanding of the client and how they best operate.’

‘Collaborative, joined up team across various disciplines. Very experienced and commercial.’

‘Crispin Bridges Webb – excellent lawyer, very engaged, commercial and practical. Sensible suggestions.’

‘Just a well organised and professional service.’

‘I think Jamie Goldberg offers very sensible and realistic advice. He balances the need for sound and thorough legal knowledge with a complete understanding of the real world context in which the legal advice is required.’

‘A well structured consultative/questionnaire approach to determine our exact needs in selling a diverse variety of services, ensuring that the contracts and legal documents prepared were fit for purpose.’

‘I have previous personal knowledge of Geldards and required advice on what I believe is considered something of a growing but niche area – Franchise law. Geldards were well recommended and appeared to have professional and knowledgeable people who were able to advise me at the level of detail I required. Always available or at least prompt in returning calls and answering queries therefore very easy to do business with. I believe that if you make doing business with a firm easy, viable and even enjoyable at times then “my people will want to do business with your people”.’

‘I have been advised by Joel Murphie on an end of franchise agreement contract which has been challenging to say the least. Joel has an extensive knowledge of this subject and has been extremely thorough in challenging and mediating a settlement.’

‘Jamie Goldberg is excellent at his job. He really takes the time to understand the details and the subtleties of the issues/opportunities we are dealing with. He always gives me his advice which isn’t always common place and it feels like he genuinely cares about helping us.’

‘The practice has great strengths in areas relevant to business and real estate, where the corporate, commercial property and litigation teams integrate well.’

‘David Kaplan demonstrates considerable strategic thinking and gets to grips with the salient matters in a transaction.’

‘We have been able to rely heavily and with complete confidence in Duncan Taylor and his colleague Alice Rees. Throughout all our dealings, Duncan Taylor and Alice Rees are clearly supported by an excellent, competent, efficient, charming and approachable and diverse team of fantastic people.’

‘ Duncan Taylor is clearly an expert in his field. He has an unapparelled breadth of knowledge and wide experience of his specialised fields of Company law, disposals, acquisitions, corporate finance, banking and finance. Duncan Taylor has a well deserved reputation and is highly respected throughout the region’s professional sector. He is always completely calm, relaxed ,supportive and approachable throughout any transaction no matter how lengthy and/or complex including difficult international deals and he constantly has this amazing ability to keep his clients calm, relaxed and confident while he just simply irons out any bumps in the road and delivers a successful outcome. Alice Rees works alongside Duncan Taylor and is a truly wonderful person to deal with. She is clearly an expert in all things connected with Company Law, sales ,acquisitions, banking and corporate finance.’

‘Shakespeare’s are a big family, but with a personal approach. The team are proactive. Have strong attention detail, but do not forget the big picture.’

‘Roger Harcourt is commercial, bright and very personable. He has the ability to foresee problems which is a big positive.’

‘They are always very willing to listen and give support. They act on things promptly.’

‘Genuine involvement and ability to truly listen to what you want and delivers this exceptionally well.’

‘SM are the go to firm in Nottingham. The Team are well established, respected and commercial. Their M&A Team are the stand out department and the best to interact with.’

‘Brilliantly led by Duncan James; really knows how to protect and deliver the right result for the client. All the Team are first class and build masses of rapport. Exceptionally good at making introductions and working collaboratively.’

‘Excellent communication amongst the team and very good transparent advice.’

‘Roger Harcourt is an outstanding partner and always available when needed. Has been involved in commercial conversations with large multi-nationals and steered us well as a young company.’

‘Austin and the team at Austin Moore & Partners are approachable, flexible and knowledgeable. We have used their services on a number of transactions. We aren’t a large organisation and don’t have in-house legal expertise, so knowing that we have legal expertise as and when required, and at a reasonable price, is extremely valuable.’

‘Austin always makes time for his clients, explains complex matters in understandable ways, and provides solutions with quotations proportionate to the work involved.’