The ‘unquestionably knowledgeable, experienced and technically capable’ corporate team at Clifford Chance LLP regularly acts on takeovers, acquisitions and divestments for FTSE 350 and Fortune 500 clients including leading global corporates, financial investors and banks. With an extensive international footprint and a diverse spread of clients across a range of industries including healthcare, media, telecoms, oil and gas and banking, the London team is jointly headed by Nigel Wellings and Melissa Fogarty, who regularly advises clients in sectors such as consumer goods and financial services. Dealmaker, ‘excellent relationship manager’ and ‘proactive communicator’ Katherine Moir is a key lawyer in the team, advising on complex and cross-border M&A while also offering the full range of corporate transactional and advisory support. David Pudge continues to act for a range of clients on M&A, corporate governance issues, stock exchange matters and public takeovers, while Steven Fox offers corporate finance expertise across public and private M&A, capital raisings and IPOs.  Co-head of the healthcare and life sciences team Gareth Camp assists international corporate clients with restructurings, public bids and disposals. Focusing on real assets and regulated industries and advising on demergers, investments, joint ventures and acquisitions is Nick Spurrell, while  James Bole offers takeover code expertise following a secondment to the Takeover Panel. Meanwhile, recent arrival from White & Case LLP, Dominic Ross, brings significant experience  advising corporates and financial institutions in matters relating to the healthcare, defence, consumer goods and retail industries.  Former partner Tim Lewis has left the firm and is now executive vice chair of the Arsenal board. Guy Norman has relocated to Saudi Arabia with the firm.

Trusted by some of the biggest corporates in the market, the ‘fantastic’ lawyers at Linklaters LLP offer ‘strength in depth, excellent technical abilities and good teamwork’. Drawing on the expertise of specialist groups including tax, antitrust, employment and technology and working alongside a network of 30 international offices, the wide-ranging practice covers the full gamut of corporate work, advising buyers, sellers and financial advisers on public takeovers, joint ventures, corporate restructurings such as carve out transactions, as well as private M&A and equity capital markets work. Simon Branigan, global head of corporate and co-head of the firm’s bank sector has extensive experience in the mining, retail and consumer, oil and gas and financial services sectors. Aisling Zarraga, who serves as global co- head of Linklaters’ life Sciences and healthcare sector, leads on some of the largest M&A and joint venture transactions in the market, advising global pharmaceutical companies, healthcare services and biotech businesses, as well as companies from other industries, such as mining. Focusing on the insurance and financial services space is Dan Schuster-Woldan, who acts as a relationship manager for clients such as AXA and Phoenix Group. Sought out by financial institutions such as PricewaterhouseCoopers is Tracey Lochhead , whose practice spans public and private M&A, joint ventures, loan portfolio sales and corporate restructurings. Ian Hunter  advises domestic and international clients on general corporate governance, M&A transactions and equity offerings, and has a  particular emphasis  on the natural resources and mining sector, as well as  UK Takeover-Code governed transactions and UK Listing Rules reform. James Inglis‘s practice covers public and private M&A, corporate governance advisory work and capital raisings, while global head of the technology group, Derek Tong, also assists clients with joint ventures, strategic investments and restructuring. Other key names to note include firmwide senior partner and chair Aedamar Comiskey, Iain Fenn   and Fionnghuala Griggs. The practice has seen a number of departures including Nick Rumsby (now Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton), Jessamy Gallagher   (now Paul Hastings LLP), Stuart Bedford (now KPMG Law) and Owen Clay; however, it remains a strong team.

Operating across a host of sectors including TMT, healthcare, construction, oil & gas and insurance and with unrivalled experience advising listed companies on M&A as well as activism defence work,  Slaughter and May’s M&A team is  ‘absolutely first class on all matters’. With a growing roster of top name clients and with more than 70% of its mandates last year involving an  international element, the team is regularly called in to advise on blockbuster deals such as GSK’s demerger of Haleon. The practice is co-headed by public and private M&A partners Simon Nicholls , who is described as ‘outstanding’ and ‘exceptional’ for his complex work for clients such as GSK and Diageo, and Richard Smith, whose clients include Aviva, Equinix and The Walt Disney Company. Senior partner Steve Cooke offers particular experience in takeover bids and other stock exchange related work, while data privacy expert Rebecca Cousin handles public and private M&A, initial public listings, equity issues and joint ventures. Roland Turnill , who will replace Cooke as senior partner in 2024, co-heads the financial institutions group and has recently been involved in advising Vodafone on its merger with Three. ‘Top tier lawyer’ Paul Dickson and the ‘exceptional’ Sally Wokes are noted for their broad corporate practices, handling public takeovers, joint ventures and private M&A for domestic and international clients, listed and unlisted. Victoria MacDuff continues to have a wide-ranging corporate practice, advising on M&A deals and disposals, equity capital market transactions, reorganisations and joint ventures, with a particular focus on cyber security and the financial services and telecoms sector. Also recommended are: Claire Jackson, a life sciences, healthcare and insurance specialist; Andrew Jolly, who heads the sport team and, the ‘enthusiastic, energetic and relatable’ Robert Innes, who co-heads the tech transactions group. James Cook, Harry Hecht and Alexander Dustan are other key lawyers. Formerly senior figures within the team,  Andy Ryde and Jeff Twentyman have retired.

The ‘high-quality and responsive’ corporate and M&A team at Latham & Watkins offers a complete and ‘excellent and attentive service’ to companies and financial sponsors, covering corporate transactional and advisory matters. In the past year, the practice has advised on an impressive array of combinations, joint ventures, sales, restructurings and carve outs, and takeovers including the £4.25 billion acquisition of Chelsea Football Club and the $10.5 billion acquisition by Adani Group of two of India’s leading cement companies. Known for its strong credentials in multiple sectors including technology, pharmaceutical and healthcare and leisure and hospitality, the team is increasingly acting in regulated public deals as well as listing rule deals. Co-heading the London practice is Richard Butterwick , who offers his expertise in Takeover Code law and cross-border M&A work, assisting LSE listed companies, and technology, ESM and life sciences specialist Farah O'Brien, who acts for corporates, growth investors, sponsors and portfolio companies. Corporate finance and M&A lawyer Douglas Abernethy has recently led on public takeovers and take private transactions, also offering a sophisticated understanding of the UK takeover regulatory environment. Assisting global companies on a range of M&A, corporate advisory and governance work is Ed Barnett, while Nick Cline engages in UK and international cross-border M&A and acts as counsel on many boards. Vice Chair of the firm’s global healthcare and life sciences practice, Robbie McLaren, also has experience in the technology industry, handling acquisitions, capital raises, asset swaps and carve outs. Acting in the UK, US and emerging markets such as India and Africa, Sam Newhouse, regularly assists a range of clients including multinational companies, financial investors and financial institutions on public and private M&A, reorganisations, divestments and joint ventures. The team is to be strengthened further by the addition of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP capital markets partner Mark Austin.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP provides the ‘highest levels of excellent service’ according to clients, with an integrated transatlantic offering of English and US law, experience across a variety of M&A matters and Takeover Code expertise. The practice has been expanding its remit with FTSE 100-listed companies and offers multi-faceted support on  transactions through strong capabilities in shareholder activism, antitrust, foreign investment, white collar crime and regulatory risk. Team leaders include global transactions head Lorenzo Corte, an expert in cross-border transactions, contested takeovers, de-SPAC transactions and corporate governance work, and UK corporate co-heads George Knighton, who is known for his broad experience in M&A, private equity and restructuring transactions and private equity specialist Katja Butler . Other key players include public M&A specialist Scott Hopkins, who is well-versed in advising companies on legal and regulatory responsibilities, and the ‘superlative’ Simon Toms, who specialises in the technology, fintech, media and telecoms sectors . John Adebiyi offers extensive knowledge and advice in relation to UK national security aspects of M&A and private equity transactions. ‘Go-to partner’ Bruce Embley regularly handles work for a range of client including international corporations and financial sponsors while  Denis Klimentchenko regularly handles M&A and corporate financings. Ani Kusheva has significant experience in public company takeovers, joint ventures and private equity transactions. Counsel Sarah Knapp handles cross-border corporate transactions. The team continues to grow in terms of its client roster and   bench strength, and notably added insurance M&A specialist Robert Chaplin from Slaughter and May  in late 2022. Chaplin has a transactional and advisory insurance offering with extensive experience in matters involving insurers, portfolio companies, financial sponsors and private capital-owned vehicles.

Splitting its advisory services across four key areas including public and private M&A, private equity and corporate advisory and praised for its ‘superb technical skills’ and ‘highly responsive and personable’  lawyers, the corporate practice at Macfarlanes LLP is lauded for its expertise advising blue chip clients such as FTSE and Fortune multinationals on cross border transactions, often involving the US. The team also attracts wide acclaim for its unique advice at the intersection of corporate and private client matters for wealthy individuals and families. ‘Knowledgeable and experienced M&A lawyer’ and head of the M&A team, Howard Corney, guides corporates, financial investors and family offices through private and cross-border M&A, especially in the sports, leisure and hospitality sectors. Offering significant transactional experience and specialising in public M&A is Harry Coghill. Also offering a broad practice is Justin Hope, who is at the helm of various transactions including acquisitions, restructurings and joint ventures, with a particular focus on the real estate sector, private company M&A and private equity. Another lawyer noted in the market is Tom Rose, who frequently acts for public and private corporates headquartered across the UK, US and Europe, on large and high-value transatlantic matters such as carve-outs, M&A deals and disposals.

Routinely instructed by blue-chip corporate clients and lauded for their cross-border transactional abilities, the wide-ranging corporate practice at Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP is noted for its depth of experience supporting clients with public and private M&A, boardroom advice, hostile takeover defence strategies, corporate governance and equity capital markets matters. Natural resources and energy sector dealmaker, David Avery-Gee , regularly advises listed clients on joint ventures, capital raisings and M&A, with recent highlights including assisting Glencore with the sale of the CSA copper mine in Australia. Co-heading the team with Avery-Gee is London head Michael Francies . Focusing on the infrastructure space is Murray Cox , who is praised for his experience in international M&A transactions, corporate governance and public company bids. Bolstering the practice with her public and private M&A, joint venture, corporate restructuring and equity market capabilities across a vast range of industries and two years’ experience as a senior case officer at the Takeover Panel is  new arrival Sarah Flaherty, who joined from Linklaters LLP in March 2023.

Praised by clients as a ‘top international law firm with an outstanding ability,’ the corporate, M&A and securities team at Norton Rose Fulbright  handles cross-border M&A transactions for clients  in sectors such as financial services, technology, energy and healthcare. Practice head Raj Karia is well-placed to advise international corporations and investment banks on M&A, joint ventures and restructuring in the natural resources and energy sectors. Paul Whitelock who co-chairs the public M&A group, and Kit McCarthy are recommended for expertise in Main Market and AIM takeovers, and both of whom were previously seconded to the Takeover Panel. Corporate practitioner Alan Bainbridge specialises in advising banks and other financial institutions. Handling listed company work across a range of sectors is Fiona Millington , while Christopher (Chris) Grieves, a joint venture and public and private M&A expert, demonstrates particular capabilities in emerging markets and energy, infrastructure, mining and industrials. Stephen Rigby is another name to note, highly regarded for his equity investment and M&A advice in the energy, infrastructure and utilities sectors. Associate Zahra Sachedina is also recommended.

 

 

Instructed by several FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies, private equity firms and financial sponsors across a range of sectors including infrastructure, financial services, wealth management and technology, the corporate M&A and ECM practice at Travers Smith LLP has recently been involved in big ticket billion-pound matters including public takeovers, group combinations, acquisitions and investments. Uniquely placed as a result of its dedicated listed company advisory team and its ‘best friends’ cross-border strategy, the team is led by: Spencer Summerfield, a highly experienced corporate lawyer with a broad practice; Andrew Gillen, a public and private M&A lawyer with particular knowledge of FCA listing and disclosure rules, Prospectus rules, AIM rules and the Takeover Code; and head of the private equity and financial sponsors group, Lucie Cawood. Richard Spedding operates a domestic and cross border practice and assists a range of clients in the listed environment and is reputed for his Takeover Code expertise. Adrian West heads up the retail sector group and is known for his advice on IPOs, equity capital markets and M&A. Tom Coulter is well-versed in mergers, disposals and equity fundraisings. Former private equity head Ian Shawyer  joined Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton  in London.

Working on UK, European and global deals out of its London office, the corporate M&A team at White & Case LLP has ‘excellent skills in M&A and premium deals.' The team regularly handles public company and financial services M&A, as well as technology transactions and investments for multinationals, banks, financial sponsors, UK plcs and hedge funds, across a range of sectors including energy and natural resources, mining and metals and pharmaceuticals.  Philip Broke, a corporate finance and high-end M&A expert, heads the team, which also includes Allan Taylor, who often advises clients in the natural resources sector. Shareholder activism specialist Tom Matthews is another key player in the team, alongside recently made up partner Sonica Tolani, who offers experience in Takeover Code and listing rule transactions across all industry sectors. The ‘extraordinary’ Hyder Jumabhoy, co-heads the financial services M&A practice, assisting with restructurings, disposals, joint ventures and business integrations. With a specialism in the technology sector, cross-border M&A lawyer Ian Ivory joined the team from BCLP in January 2023. Dominic Ross left to join Clifford Chance LLP’s corporate department in October 2022.

Described by clients as a ‘very commercial’ team with ‘high-level knowledge’,  the corporate practice at Hogan Lovells International LLP is well-placed to advise blue chip clients including financial institutions and listed companies on corporate policies, M&A transactions of all types and sizes and ESG matters. With particular strengths in the life sciences and healthcare, financial services, insurance, real estate, energy and industrials and fintech and TMT industries, the team also offers specialist knowledge in emerging markets and on competition and NSI and tax matters. Heading up the London team is Patrick Sarch, who has developed a strong activist practice. Sarch focuses on the financial services sector among others and regularly handles corporate finance, public company M&A and listing matters. Focusing on the African market, global co-head of the energy and natural resources sector group, Sarah Shaw, acts on a range of matters for corporates, private equity and infrastructure funds on public takeovers, joint ventures, restructurings, acquisitions, and disposals. Nicola Evans, global head of insurance, is often sought out by boards of listed companies to assist with a range of corporate insurance matters. Generalist M&A practitioner Tom Brassington regularly advises clients in the TMT and life sciences arena, while John Connell assists listed companies, banks, financial investors and insurance companies with M&A and disposals. Former co-head of M&A, Ben Higson, left the practice in December 2022 to join Vinson & Elkins.

Described by those who turn to the team for advice as ‘client focused,’ the lawyers in the corporate team at Jones Day act for domestic and multinational companies and offer strong capabilities in M&A and venture capital, as well as UK public takeovers and private equity transactions. Co-heading the practice are Giles Elliott, whose client roster features companies, sponsors and financial institutions, the ‘highly experienced and very competent’ Leon Ferera, who handles a range of corporate transactions including M&A, joint ventures and public takeover offers, and Vica Irani, who counsels public companies on governance matters and focuses on multijurisdictional deals across various industries. William McDonald has significant experience in public and private M&A and corporate finance transactions, while Julian Runnicles is also recommended.

Offering a service that advises across European M&A and private equity, the London corporate practice at Milbank often handles matters in the aviation, energy and infrastructure space as well as private equity and growth equity transactions. Significantly strengthening its bench, the team added Dickson Minto WS’s London private equity team to its ranks in March 2023. Advising FTSE 100, Fortune 250, financial institutions, infrastructure funds and energy companies, Lisa O’Neill, co-heads the team and handles a wide range of corporate and M&A transactions. Also heading up the team is former Kirkland & Ellis International LLP  private equity specialist Andrej Wolf  with fellow buyout specialist , Jordan Simpson, who joined from Dickson Minto, also playing a key role. Former co-chair Mark Stamp retired in January 2023 and is now a consulting partner.

Praised by clients as being ‘excellent on the legal detail, but also strong on commercial perspective’, the ‘ultra-responsive’ team at Paul Hastings LLP adopts a ‘highly commercial approach’ and offers ‘deep sector specific expertise’ and the ability to lead on complex and high-end transactions. Increasingly active on public M&A deals following a period of expansion, the team is also well-versed in private M&A on behalf of trade, strategic and private equity buyers and joint ventures. Noted as ‘the best commercial and corporate lawyer’ by one client, team head Matthew Poxon has ‘an encyclopaedic knowledge of black letter law.’ Joint-head with Poxon is hihgly regarded former Linklaters LLP partner, Jessamy Gallagher, who joined in January 2023 and specialises in international public and private M&A in the real assets, infrastructure and energy space. With a particular focus on UAE-based institutions and handling transformational public and private M&A transactions is David Prowse . Other changes at the firm include the departure of Garrett Hayes to McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP, the exit of former global co-managing partner Ronan O’Sullivan and the departure of infrastructure-focused Steven Bryan.

The ‘professional, responsive and business orientated’ team at Akin has a client roster that features global corporates and financial institutions. Known for its presence in emerging markets, the team is well-versed in advising on investment portfolio matters for fund clients including complex and high-value multi-jurisdictional transactions. Leading the team are a trio of lawyers including Sebastian Rice, whose practice involves M&A, equity capital markets and private equity, the ‘very commercial’ Shaun Lascelles, also co-head of the firm’s project and energy transition practice, and the ‘excellent’ Gavin Weir, who has ‘deep knowledge of the market’ particularly in relation to financial services, technology and life sciences M&A. Focusing on both private equity and M&A transactions is Simon Rootsey, particularly across the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, while public and private M&A practitioner Harry Keegan, who is an expert in takeovers, is highly knowledgeable about corporate transactions from a financial advisor’s perspective. Weyinmi Popo left the firm in March 2023 to join ASAFO & Co.

The ‘experienced’ lawyers in the corporate and securities team at Dechert LLP regularly advise on domestic and cross border transactions in industries such as financial services, life sciences and healthcare and TMT. Practice co-chair Christopher Field has significant experience working on cross-border corporate carve-outs,  IPOs, acquisitions and disposals. Co-heading the team with Field is Adam Levin whose client base consists of high-net-worth individuals, international corporations and private equity firms. Highly praised in the market is US-qualified Douglas Getter . Ross Montgomery and Sam Whittaker are other key lawyers.

Operating across various sectors, the ‘super-efficient, unflappable’ and ‘great’ lawyers at Mayer Brown International LLP have experience handling a range of M&A transactions including asset and share sales and purchases, joint ventures and leveraged buyouts. Heading up the practice is the ‘responsive, creative, solution focused and very commercial,’ Kate Ball-Dodd, who is regularly engaged by public companies and financial intermediaries for corporate governance, transactional, listing rules and Takeover Code expertise, and Perry Yam, who works with investors, management teams and investee companies. Corporate finance and transactional lawyer Richard Page and Rebecca Bothamley, who focuses on cross-border M&A and equity capital market transactions, are also recommended.

Routinely instructed by asset managers and sponsors on acquisitions and disposals, investments, public to private transactions and private equity deals  in the consumer, industrials, TMT and financial services space, the M&A team at Proskauer Rose LLP is led by Steven Davis, who focuses on buyouts, buy-ins and M&A for sponsors, management teams, public and private companies and financial institutions. Richard Bull and Andrew Wingfield are key members of a London tea that also includes Rebecca Villarreal. Tony Downes left to join Sidley Austin LLP.

At the time of publication  Shearman & Sterling LLP is in advanced merger discussions with Allen & Overy. The US firm's London corporate team advises on acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and private investments.  Practice head Paul Strecker is qualified to practice in England & Wales, New York, California and Hong Kong. Nick Withers and Maegen Morrison  are other key names in the practice. Former practice head Philip Cheveley quit for Sidley Austin LLP in early 2023.

Sidley Austin LLP 's City corporate team regularly advises on cross-border transactions in the insurance, energy and infrastructure sectors. The team benefits from the wider firm's ‘global expertise’  and has been strengthened with several partner hires, including the addition of Philip Cheveley, former head of Shearman & Sterling LLP’s M&A practice for EMEA and Asia in February 2023. Cheveley, who was previously at Travers Smith, brings significant experience in public company takeovers, mergers, acquisitions and disposals. Practice head Thomas Thesing is a name to note in the team, which also includes James Wood, who handles international transactions and strategic initiatives. Robert Darwin is known for his transactional work with life sciences and healthcare corporations. Also noted in the market is Lyndsey Laverack, who is described by one client as ‘one of the best M&A and private equity lawyers.’ Counsel Ed Perry  has  a broad skillset, handling public takeovers, investments and private equity buyouts in highly regulated industries.