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.
M&A: Upper Mid-Market And Premium Deals, £750m+ in London
Clifford Chance LLP
Practice head(s):
Melissa Fogarty; Nigel Wellings
Other key lawyers:
Katherine Moir; Steven Fox; David Pudge; Gareth Camp; Nick Spurrell; James Bole; Dominic Ross; Caoimhín Eastwood; Robert Crothers; Alanna Hunter; Richard Crosby; Nicholas Rees
Testimonials
‘As well as being unquestionably knowledgeable, experienced, technically capable and well-staffed to serve clients, the Clifford Chance corporate team are a pleasure to deal with, demonstrating pragmatism and engaging with the in-house team and internal clients at a level which engenders a “one team” feeling like no other magic circle firm manages to do.’
‘Caoimhín Eastwood is a hard worker and technically capable. Caoimhín demonstrates excellent expectation management and really listens to what clients want. He is one to watch!’
‘Dealmaking abilities aside, Katherine Moir is an excellent relationship manager, a pro-active communicator and a joy to work with.’
‘The team stands out for its delivery of first-rate commercial advice with the highest level of responsiveness.’
‘David Pudge consistently provides wise and practical counsel.’
Key clients
Unilever plc
Barclays plc
easyJet plc
London Stock Exchange Group plc
Mondelēz International
Informa plc
Citibank N.A.
Entain plc
Pfizer Inc.
BBVA
Devro plc
Cellnex
Nielsen Holdings plc
Serco plc
CK Asset Holdings
Work highlights
- Advised longstanding pharma client Pfizer in connection with the demerger of Haleon from GSK
- Advised Nielsen Holdings on its takeover by a private equity consortium led by Elliott Investment Management, Brookfield Capital Partners, GIC and The WindAcre Partnership.
- Advised Cellnex Telecom on the completion of its acquisition of the telecommunications tower assets of CK Hutchison and on the disposal of a package of approximately 1,100 sites in the UK to Wireless Infrastructure Group.
Linklaters LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
Simon Branigan
Other key lawyers:
Aedamar Comiskey; Aisling Zarraga; Dan Schuster-Woldan; David Martin; Tracey Lochhead; Ian Hunter; James Inglis; Derek Tong; Fionnghuala Griggs; Michael Honan; Charles Turner; Namrata Shah; Matt Hearn; Iain Fenn
Testimonials
‘The team offers strength in depth, excellent technical abilities and good teamwork.’
‘Ian Hunter has excellent technical skills and is very responsive.’
‘Fantastic people that are easy to work with and are very commercial. They give clear advice and are very proactive.’
‘Dan Schuster-Woldan is easy going, knows his stuff and is very commercial and proactive. He brings in other people across the firm as and when needed. Namrata Shah is an excellent associate and very proactive.’
‘The team offers specialist expertise in partnership structures and supporting legal documentation. They are the best in the market. The team has outstanding global experience and access to major jurisdictions.’
‘Two stand out partners I have worked with include Ian Hunter and Nicola Rabson (employment). They both go above and beyond. They provide ongoing support, demonstrate integrity and strong values and provided invaluable advice consistently in very complex situations.’
‘James Inglis is a top quality technical lawyer. He is calm, considered, has the gravitas and inspires the confidence that comes with experience and knowledge. Matt Hearn is also a top quality technical lawyer and super bright and super hard working. He is extremely responsive and is making his mark as a new partner.’
Key clients
Tate & Lyle
Mondi
Hg
Carlyle
OTPP
Unilever
National Grid
AXA
Phoenix
Greene King
HSBC
PWC
Sainsburys
Vodafone
Jardine Matheson
Sony
Macquarie
Diageo
Capita
Cerberus
PSP
EY
Nestle
Work highlights
- Advised HSBC Overseas (UK) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, on the sale of HSBC Bank Canada to the Royal Bank of Canada for CA$15.6 bn following a competitive auction process.
- Assisted Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, a US public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange that specialises in speciality diagnostics, on their £2.25bn acquisition of The Binding Site Group.
- Advised National Grid plc in respect of its private M&A sale of a 60% stake in its gas transmission and metering business (NGG) to a consortium of long-term infrastructure investors.
Slaughter and May
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.
Practice head(s):
Richard Smith; Simon Nicholls
Other key lawyers:
Steve Cooke; Rebecca Cousin; Roland Turnill; Paul Dickson; Sally Wokes; Victoria MacDuff; Claire Jackson; Andrew Jolly; Robert Innes; James Cook; Harry Hecht; Alexander Dustan; David Johnson; Usman Sawar
Testimonials
‘The M&A team are absolutely first class on all matters. Their advice is always extremely clear, focused on exactly what the client needs to understand. The team has great market awareness.’
‘Paul Dickson and Alex Dustan are both top tier lawyers. They have fantastic in-depth knowledge, as well as great commercial awareness. They are able to present complex legal issues in a very clear straightforward manner in a way that creates real confidence.’
‘Superb judgment and valuable thought leaders in the transaction practice. Simon Nicolls and David Johnson are both outstanding and together comprise a formidable team. They provide a real value-added service, making the complex manageable and always bringing forward thinking and creative approaches to difficult problems.’
‘The quality of Slaughter and May’s output is exemplary at all levels and across all disciplines. Contrary to the received wisdom (and unlike many Magic Circle firms) there is no ‘typical’ Slaughter and May lawyer. The large and multi-disciplinary team that most recently supported us comprised lawyers from a very wide variety of backgrounds, ethnicity and nationality but provided consistently excellent advice and support, working with us and for us, collaboratively. Their internal communication processes work very well, as notwithstanding the large number of people comprising the advisory team, everyone was clearly aware of every aspect of the transaction as it moved through its various stages.’
‘Roland Turnill was across absolutely everything, engaged and engaging, hugely credible at Board level. Robert Innes is enthusiastic, energetic and relatable to all, from Chairman to PA. James Cook is highly relatable but a clear thinker with quiet confidence. Usman Sawar at the associate level is calm, confident, hard-working (naturally) and super-helpful.’
‘Slaughter and May consistently outperform other law firms. They offer excellent input, are efficient and add value. You can really rely on them for quality advice delivered as you need it. They rise to any challenge and remain user-friendly, clear and have an ability to move with fast pace.’
‘Sally Wokes is exceptional. She always gets right to the key point, understanding and explaining the commercial impact on clients. Harry Hecht is also excellent, focusing on what matters to the client and is results orientated. You can really rely on both of them and that can be rare to find.’
‘Utterly reliable and at the very top of their game. I would never go anywhere else. Paul Dickson and Simon Nicholls are exceptional. I’ve worked with them for over 10 years, through a number of highly complex transactions and they have never let me down. Their teams are also always of the highest quality. I’m never worried about which associate is assigned to a particular project as they all work incredibly hard, are committed to the task and have exceptional insight.’
Key clients
GSK
Aviva
Reckitt
Landsec
Wood Group
Whitbread
United Utilities
Close Brothers
Legal & General Group
Equinix
Marsh McLennan
Schneider Electric
Vodafone
INEOS
Marshalls
Dignity
Bunzl
HPS Investment Partners
Essentra
Reach
Work highlights
- Advising Vodafone on the planned combination of Vodafone UK and Three UK, which would involve both companies combining their UK businesses, with Vodafone owning 51% and CK Hutchison owning 49% of the combined business.
- Advised GSK plc on the demerger of its Consumer Healthcare business into a separate London-listed group named Haleon.
- Advised Legal & General Capital (LGC) on its 50:50 partnership with U.S. based real estate developer Ancora.
Allen & Overy LLP
The corporate practice at Allen & Overy LLP offers a ‘high quality’ and ‘seamless service’ to clients across a range of sectors including financial services, retail, life sciences, gaming, engineering and information management. The practice has a strong international footprint and this has been further strengthened with the opening of a new office in Boston. The team regularly assists listed corporates in an array of matters including acquisitions, joint ventures, divestments, restructurings, risk management, carve outs and asset sales. Team head Dominic Morris specialises in domestic and international M&A, equity offerings, privatisations, public takeover bids and joint ventures for outbound US corporates. Richard Browne regularly handles public takeover bids, auctions and other purchases for clients. Public takeover expert Seth Jones, previously seconded to the Takeover Panel, has acted in market leading public M&A transactions. Entrusted by UK plcs and North American clients to assist with public and private M&A and equity capital markets in the financial services and infrastructure space is Richard Evans. ‘Go-to’ lawyer in the life sciences sector, Matthew Appleton, energy and natural resources specialist John Geraghty and financial institutions focused Duncan Bellamy , whose recent engagements include advising the Royal Bank of Canada on the acquisition of HSBC Bank Canada, are also recommended. Corporate finance expert Claire Coppel and Alex Tilley handle a range of corporate transactions and advise on corporate governance matters. Annabelle Croker and the very experienced David Broadley and Jeremy Parr are other key lawyers. Harsh Pais joined the London team in August 2022 to head the India Corporate practice, bringing energy, technology and financial services expertise and experience from working in the New York and Indian M&A markets. The firm is in advanced transatlantic merger talks with Shearman & Sterling.
Practice head(s):
Dominic Morris
Other key lawyers:
Richard Browne; Seth Jones; Richard Evans; Matthew Appleton; John Geraghty; Duncan Bellamy; Claire Coppel; Alex Tilley; Annabelle Croker; David Broadley; Jeremy Parr; Harsh Pais
Testimonials
‘Seamless service with consistent high-quality across multiple jurisdictions, while maintaining a close relationship. One of the few teams in the market who really listen to clients’ needs and adapt.’
‘Matthew Appleton is the go-to person in pharma asset deals. He is extremely people oriented which helps to progress negotiations. He “reads the room” like no one else.’
Key clients
Marks & Spencer plc
Man Group plc
OpenText Inc
Imperial Brands plc
Sage plc
Pennon plc
TP ICAP plc
Reckitt plc
Exponent
Brookfield
Work highlights
- Advised RBC on its acquisition of 100% of the common shares of HSBC Canada for an all-cash purchase price of USD13.5bn.
- Advised OpenText, the Canada-based software company providing enterprise software, on its recommended £5bn cash offer to acquire the share capital of Micro Focus International plc.
- Advised Repsol on the sale of 25% of its upstream business to U.S. institutional investor EIG. The transaction has a value of $4.8bn and covers more than ten jurisdictions globally.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Advising more than 130 LSE listed clients, the corporate and M&A lawyers at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP advise multinational corporations and private capital firms and are well known in the public M&A space, regularly working on high value UK public takeovers, auctions and bilateral deals. Recent highlights include advising National Grid on its £7.8 billion acquisition of Western Power Distribution. Spearheading the team’s M&A offering is Gavin Davies, who is ‘at the very top of the field,’ particularly in relation to cross border M&A and investments in technology, telecoms, financial services and industrial sectors. The ‘straight talking’ Caroline Rae helps clients ‘steady the boat through difficult areas’ including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and public takeovers, while Stephen Wilkinson focuses on high-value corporate transactions and governance matters. Mark Bardell is a ‘stellar professional’ and specialises in significant M&A and public company situations for blue chip corporates, offering experience as previous Secretary at the UK Takeover Panel. Heading the financial institutions transactions team is Alex Kay, who also offers expertise in the consumer and listed real estate sectors. Also of note is high profile M&A partner James Palmer, who has returned to full-time client work after serving as firmwide chair. Harriet Forrest, who advises on M&A involving both public and private targets and Heidi Gallagher are also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Gavin Davies
Other key lawyers:
Caroline Rae; Stephen Wilkinson; Mark Bardell; Alex Kay; James Palmer; Heidi Gallagher; Siddhartha Shukla; Harriet Forrest; Alan Montgomery; Shaun Williamson; Charles Steward
Testimonials
‘Extremely responsive, practical and commercial team. The firm does not “over-lawyer” work and understands the relative importance of various legal issues in the context of a broader transaction or corporate aim. Compared to other UK or European practices, HSF stands out for its collaborative practice and ability to see the broader picture.’
‘Mark Bardell and Shaun Williamson are both stellar professionals, who anticipate needs, respond with practical and actionable advice in a timely and efficient manner. If I could clone them to work in every other country where we have legal needs, I would do so. I rarely enjoy getting a call or email from many outside counsel, but when HSF and Mark and Shaun call, I am excited to hear from them. They have earned our trust and consistently reaffirm it with high-quality, timely work product.’
‘Exceptional knowledge of the applicable laws and regulations. The team has vast experience in applicable transactions, anticipates needs and problems and comes up with solutions. Top notch!’
Key clients
Abbott
Airtel Africa
Altice
Altra Industrial Motion Corp.
Anglo American
Ardonagh Group
ArcelorMittal
Atlassian Corporation
Blackstone
BP
British American Tobacco
British Land
Capital & Countries Properties
ClearBank
Comcast (formerly Sky)
Dentsu
Elementis
Evergreen Coast Capital Corporation
General Mills
GIC Infra Holdings Pte Ltd
Go-Ahead Group
Hammerson
Inchcape
Indivior
Johnson Matthey
JP Morgan
KPMG
Ma’aden
MADE.com
Mercuria Energy
Mitsubishi Corporation
Morgan Stanley
National Grid
OneWeb
Pearson
Qatar Investment Authority
Reaction Engines
South32
Stagecoach
Synthomer plc
Telefónica
TP ICAP
Tryg
Tullow Oil plc
The UNITE Group
Virgin
Weir Group
WHSmith
WiseTech Global
Workspace Group plc
Work highlights
- Advised Evergreen Coast Capital Corporation, an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management L.P. and Brookfield Capital Partners LLC, on the consortium acquisition of Nielsen Holdings plc, the S&P 500 audience measurement, data and analytics company, for approximately $16 billion in an all-cash deal.
- Advised OneWeb regarding its proposed combination with Eutelsat Communications, a listed French satellite and telecommunications company, to create a large satellite operator with a combined entity value of US$7 billion.
- Advised Capital & Counties Properties PLC on its recommended all share merger with Shaftesbury PLC, which will bring together some of London’s iconic destinations in Covent Garden, Carnaby Street, Chinatown and Soho, to create an estate valued at £5 billion.
Latham & Watkins
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.
Practice head(s):
Richard Butterwick; Farah O’Brien
Other key lawyers:
Doug Abernethy; Edward Barnett; Nick Cline; Robbie McLaren; Sam Newhouse; Hector Sants; James Innes; Koushik Prasad
Testimonials
‘Very good advice, not only on the legal front but also on the business fundamentals.’
‘A very result-oriented and humble team that is very attentive to client needs.’
‘A high-quality and responsive team that is strong both strategically and in the detail. They offered an excellent and attentive service that was superbly led.’
‘Very capable all-round lawyers, who are responsive, attentive and give clear advice. Nick Cline is a lawyer out of the very top drawer and gives clear measured advice. He is very responsive, unruffled and great to deal with. James Innes is clear and knowledgeable in his advice. Koushik Prasad is responsive and performs at a high level.’
Key clients
888 Holdings plc
Abcam plc
BenevolentAI
Blue Co 22 (Chelsea Football Club)
DAZN
Darktrace plc
EIG
Farfetch
GlaxoSmithKline
London Stock Exchange
Norgine
Tullow Oil
Vertical Aerospace
Vodafone
Work highlights
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
Lorenzo Corte – global head of transactions; Katja Butler; George Knighton – co-heads of UK corporate
Other key lawyers:
Simon Toms; John Adebiyi; Denis Klimentchenko; Bruce Embley; Ani Kusheva; Sarah Knapp; Robert Chaplin; Sandro de Bernardini; Patrick Tsitsaros; Anxin Hua; Scott Hopkins
Testimonials
‘Highest levels of excellent service across all material legal disciplines and relevant jurisdictions, with diverse and engaged teams. Many law firms spend a lot of time telling you about their “high performance culture” but with the Skadden team, you don’t hear these sorts of platitudes, you get to witness it on a daily basis.’
‘Simon Toms is a superlative sponsor lawyer, he knows the ins and outs of all things M&A, as well as the other disciplines that matter (tax, regulatory, finance, executive compensation, etc.). He is one of our two go-to partners in London. The other being Bruce Embley who is equally as talented, with extraordinary negotiating and people skills to boot. He anticipates the moves three steps down the chess board, making our life substantially more efficient. Bruce and Simon are a pleasure to deal with, finding creative solutions to consequential challenges, allowing us to exploit opportunities without bearing undue risk. Patrick Tsitsaros is another fantastic lawyer on the Skadden team. He is partner quality at any law firm, and unflappable under pressure, a real rising star. Anxin Hua is one of the best associates I have seen in three decades of practice.’
Key clients
Central Group and Signa
Tom Ford International
Gyroscope Therapeutics
Refresco Group BV
Spotify
BillerudKorsnäs AB
ASDA
Wejo
The shareholders of MiQ Digital Limited, including the founders of the company and ECI Partners
Waldencast Acquisition Corp
Sylvamo Corporation
International Paper Company
Adobe Inc.
VGL Group
SP Plus Corporation
The Middleby Corporation
Davidson Kempner European Partners, LLP
Fortress Investment Group LLC
RfXcel Corporation
The Sage Group plc
Work highlights
- Advised Thailand’s Central Group and the Austrian property company Signa, on their joint £3.8 billion acquisition of the UK-based department store chain Selfridges.
- Advising Tom Ford International and its affiliated licensing company on the $2.8 billion sale of the TOM FORD fashion brand to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
- Advised Gyroscope Therapeutics in relation to its acquisition by Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG for up to $1.5 billion.
Ashurst
‘Major player’ Ashurst is routinely instructed by a strong roster of public UK corporate clients across myriad sectors, including financial institutions and funds, energy, technology, transport, infrastructure, retail and leisure. The team is reputed for its experience managing multi-billion pound cross-border transactions such as the £7.3 billion takeover of WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC, and regularly acts for global investment banks, offering specialist advice in relation to the Takeover Code. Other recent instructions have involved acting in several public to private transactions. Head of team Karen Davies is ‘approachable and responsive’ and regularly handles cross border public M&A transactions, particularly relating to financial institutions and investment banks. Co-heading the team with Davies is ‘class act’ and ‘excellent lawyer’ Nick Williamson , who specialises in M&A and ECM transactions for investment banks and private companies. Tom Mercer is a ‘standout partner,’ who also offers significant expertise in public company takeovers and mergers, as a result of his previous experience as secretary to the UK Takeover Panel. Managing client relationships with the likes of Rothschild and Deutsche Bank, offering strategic corporate advice and handling high-value transactions is James Fletcher. Aimee Carroll-Hewitt is another key lawyer in the London team
Practice head(s):
Karen Davies; Nick Williamson
Other key lawyers:
Tom Mercer; James Fletcher; Harry Thimont; Michael Burns; David Carter; Aimee Carroll-Hewitt; Braeden Donnelly; Molly Woods
Testimonials
‘Ashurst takes the time to get to know their clients and specifically the important factors to a business client at the outset of a matter. This allows them to gain the insights required to provide more commercially focused legal advice, which has helped make commercial negotiations with counterparties and board discussions, much more efficient. I think this sets them apart from other lawyers I have worked with who take a more blanket approach to business clients operating in the same industry and is why they have remained long standing legal advisers of our organisation.’
‘I would like to give special mention to two people at Ashurst who I have worked with – Braeden Donnelly and Karen Davies. Both these individuals have always been approachable and responsive. They consistently provide reliable legal support, even where not formally instructed on matters. It doesn’t matter how small and inconsequential the question is, they can always be counted on to provide insightful and dynamic legal advice. In any interaction with Karen and Braeden, it is clear that while they are both successful city lawyers, they have a true passion to help people.’
‘A major player in this deal size for many years. Also, able to rely on significant international offices for assistance on international transactions.’
Key clients
CareTech
Pan American Silver Corporation
Oxford Instruments plc
WM Morrison Supermarkets Limited
McLaren Racing Ltd
Next Fifteen Communications Group plc
Serica Energy plc
GB Group plc
IHS Markit
Babcock International Group plc
AVEVA Group plc
Brookfield
Robert Bosch GmbH
AgilitasLamprell Group plc
GIC
Deutsche Bank
Rothschild
JP Morgan
HSBC Bank plc
Work highlights
- Assisted the founders of CareTech, with Three Hills Capital Partners LLP private equity, in relation to the £870.3m P2P recommended cash and share acquisition of CareTech Holdings PLC.
- Advised Pan American Silver Corp. on its $4.8bn offer with Agnico Eagle Limited for Yamana Gold Inc.
- Advised Oxford Instruments plc on its proposed £1.8bn cash and shares takeover by Spectris plc.
CMS
Led by Victoria Henry and Charles Currier, who regularly advises utilities, developers and financial investors in the energy and infrastructure sectors, the one-stop shop at CMS, offers a corporate transactional team that can act across a range of deals, from small local bolt-on acquisitions to landmark and strategic bet-the-company transactions. With its extensive international footprint, the team is active in deals across Europe and globally, instructed by an impressive and growing client roster featuring names such as Microsoft. Firmly positioned in the energy, infrastructure, technology and private equity arena, recent engagements have involved first of their kind transactions like the takeover of Bulb Energy by Octopus Energy Group. Concentrating on the TMT, life sciences and healthcare sectors is Simon Morgan who handles a range of corporate transactions. In the technology, gaming and media and communication sector is Rob Willis who has experience in public takeovers, fundraisings and IPOs, reorganisations and joint ventures. Valentina Santambrogio excels in advising businesses and private equity investors on transactions in the technology and telecoms sector. Another key lawyer is corporate/M&A head Louise Wallace.
Practice head(s):
Charles Currier; Victoria Henry
Other key lawyers:
Simon Morgan; Rob Willis; Valentina Santambrogio; Tom Jameson; Katie Nagy de Nagybaczon; Louise Wallace; Tom Page; Vitali Mainarovych; Emma Clark
Testimonials
‘Their understanding of client needs and businesses, personable and flexible approach makes them stand out. As a client, I feel like they really care (notwithstanding the size of the firm). Simon Morgan epitomises all that is great about this team.’
‘ This was the first time I had worked with Emma Clark and she was absolutely exceptional. She grasped the issues and what was important to us, gave really clear, concise and pragmatic advice. She was absolutely on top of the very complex transaction and great fun to work alongside – I’d love to have Emma working with us on many future transactions!’
‘We worked with Tom Page, Valentina Santambroggio and Vitali Mainarovych. Tom brings an incredible wealth of experience and knowledge of the sector to the table. Valentina and Vitali were excellent in helping the set-up of our venture.’
Key clients
Macquarie Asset Management
Microsoft
Blue Prism Group
4iG
BT Sport
LiveScore| Group
M&C Saatchi Plc
Entrepreneur First (EF)
Pension Insurance Corporation Plc (“PIC”)
Active Partners
InstaDeep
Ooredoo Group
NatWest Group
Octopus Energy Group (Octopus)
GLIL Infrastructure LLP and Octopus Energy Group / The Renewables Infrastructure Group and |Equitix
Brookfield Renewable Partners (Brookfield)
Dexters| London| Limited
Work highlights
- Advised a consortium comprising Macquarie Asset Management and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation on its agreement to acquire a 60% stake in National Grid’s UK gas transmission and metering business, valued at £9.6bn.
- Negotiated and advised on the commercial and corporate finance aspect of a +$2.8bn 10 year strategic cloud and data deal between Microsoft and the London Stock Exchange Group.
- Advised 4iG alongside Corvinus on its EUR 1.67bn acquisition of Vodafone Hungary.
Macfarlanes LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
Howard Corney
Other key lawyers:
Harry Coghill; Justin Hope; Tom Rose
Testimonials
‘The team has superb technical skills. Their lawyers have the ability to produce succinct summaries of complex documentation. The team is highly responsive and personable.’
‘Tom Rose in particular stands out. He has superb breadth and depth of knowledge and technical skill.’
‘A special mention is deserved by Howard Corney. He distinguished himself for being extremely accurate, always very available to find solutions through the ups and downs of the deal’s negotiation. Howard is a very knowledgeable and experienced M&A lawyer with strong negotiation skills.’
‘Very knowledgeable and coordinated approach to get all the relevant expertise to ensure one stop shop service.’
‘They give very practical and commercial, thoughtful and considered advice. The lawyers are always helpful and available.’
‘The Macfarlanes team brings a practical approach to their engagements, offering direct advice that is easily understandable to those less familiar with UK practices.’
‘The individuals that I’ve worked with at Macfarlanes are particularly dedicated to their practice. It’s not just a job, it’s something that they are deeply committed to, and they bring energy and focus to their work that is palpable. The tremendous client focus and strong teamwork is what sets them apart. Tom Rose should be called out individually as a stand-out among the younger partners. Harry Coghill is also an exceptional lawyer.’
Key clients
Abrdn
Berkeley Group
Genius Sports Group
Incisive Media
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
NortonLifeLock
Omnicom Media Group
Qatar Sports Investment
Stanhope
Virgin Group
Work highlights
- Advising NortonLifeLock Inc., a NASDAQ-listed provider of consumer cyber security solutions, on its successful $9.2b cash and stock merger with FTSE 100 company Avast plc, a global cybersecurity provider.
- Advised Terminix Global Holdings Inc. on its $6.7bn cash and stock combination with FTSE 100 company Rentokil Initial plc.
- Assisted european private debt investment manager, Arcmont Asset Management, on its sale to Nuveen, the investment manager of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America Fund.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Complemented by the firm’s private equity and banking practices, the London M&A team at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is highly regarded for its capabilities at the intersection of M&A and private equity work, as well as asset management M&A. Handling matters for major European and US sponsor clients such as KKR, Blackstone and Bridgepoint, the team advises on an range of matters including corporate acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, investments, restructurings, exits and public to private transactions. Heading up the London team, which includes English and US-qualified lawyers, is Ben Spiers . Former Blackstone managing director and European general counsel, Geoffrey Bailhache is well-versed in multi-jurisdictional private equity M&A, take private transactions and buyouts across different industries. Clare Gaskell offers capabilities in private M&A, public takeovers and equity capital market transactions. James Howe is regularly engaged by private equity funds and financial investors in cross-border transactions. Amy Mahon has a particular focus on energy and infrastructure work. Promoted to partner in January 2023 are other key lawyers Lucy Gillett and Christopher Vallance. Public company takeover and private equity transaction specialist Adam Signy is also well-regarded in the market.
Practice head(s):
Ben Spiers
Other key lawyers:
Geoffrey Bailhache; Clare Gaskell; James Howe; Amy Mahon; Lucy Gillett; Adam Signy; Christopher Vallance
Testimonials
‘James Howe and the team at STB are incredibly talented lawyers and trusted advisors to our firm. They provide excellent client service, replying to virtually all emails and requests immediately and produce error-free work on a consistent basis.’
‘The team has great experience and deep industry knowledge. The individuals are personable to work with as well as being effective and reliable.’
‘Extremely intelligent and thoughtful teams, from associates through partners. STB differentiates itself by not only exceling at its core function, but also by playing quarterback on M&A deals for all legal and tax/structuring workstreams.’
Key clients
Apax Partners
Astorg Asset Management, S.à r.l.
BC Partners
Blackstone
Bridgepoint
Bruin Sports Capital
The Carlyle Group
CBRE Group, Inc.
CVC Capital Partners
EQT International Holdings B.V.
Garda World Security Corporation
Global Infrastructure Partners
HIG Capital
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
Lone Star Funds
Melrose Industries PLC
Oakley Capital
Refinitiv
Silver Lake Partners
Vista Equity Partners
Viridor Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Apax Partners LLP in connection with the acquisition, together with Warburg Pincus LLC, of T-Mobile Netherlands Holding from Deutsche Telekom AG and Tele2 AB.
- Represented Baring Private Equity Asia in its acquisition by EQT.
- Assisted with the sale by a consortium including Blackstone, an affiliate of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, an affiliate of GIC Special Investments Pte. Ltd. and Thomson Reuters of an approximate 4% interest in London Stock Exchange Group plc to Microsoft Corporation.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
David Avery-Gee; Michael Francies
Other key lawyers:
Murray Cox; Sarah Flaherty
Testimonials
‘The team is extremely knowledgeable and results oriented. They demonstrate excellent collaboration with other advisors and the company. They have a strong knowledge and understanding of the company’s objectives and interests. This is easily among the finest law firms we have used. David Avery-Gee is a lawyer that stands out.’
‘A fantastic team that works brilliantly together. The team offers an outstanding product, client service and speed of delivery.’
‘David Avery-Gee is the most responsive partner I have ever worked with. He is very technically capable and delivers a fantastic service.’
Key clients
Glencore
Eutelsat
Sanofi
MGM Resorts
InPost
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.
Howden
Cobham
Kantar
Soul Foods Group
Nissin Foods
Petropavlovsk
Work highlights
- Advised Eutelsat and its board on the all-share combination of Eutelsat and OneWeb.
- Advised Glencore on the sale of one of Australia’s oldest copper mines, the CSA copper mine in Cobar, New South Wales, and on the establishment of a strategic partnership with listed US company Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.
- Advised MGM Resorts International on its $607 million acquisition of LeoVegas AB, a listed Swedish online gaming company.
Baker McKenzie
Noted for its extensive international network, the ‘extremely professional’ lawyers at Baker McKenzie are ‘experts with superb subject knowledge,’ who advise across a range of high-end and multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, including public, private and divestments. The team’s client roster features the likes of GSK, Unilever and S&P Global. The trio of lawyers leading the London corporate team include: Jane Hobson, private M&A lead and head of the global transactions healthcare group; Helen Bradley, who offers Takeover Code acumen and corporate finance expertise, particularly in relation to M&A, governance and equity capital markets; and Jannan Crozier, who regularly advises on complex M&A such as carve out transactions. Co-heading the consumer goods and retail industry group is David Scott, while Melanie Howard regularly assists healthcare and financial institutions, particularly in relation to regulatory and supply chain issues. The ‘phenomenal lawyer’ Ash Tiwari is also a key player in the team.
Practice head(s):
Jane Hobson; Helen Bradley; Jannan Crozier
Other key lawyers:
David Scott; Melanie Howard; Ash Tiwari
Testimonials
‘In my view Baker McKenzie is one of the more forward thinking law firms and definitely the most global. The firm helps clients overcome the challenges of competing in the global economy through a new type of thinking and a different mindset. Lawyers in the firm are extremely professional experts with superb subject knowledge. They deal with the client and transaction with a pragmatic approach, with an intent to successfully close the deal without any failure. They understand the importance of the deal and its value to the client. Their strength is their ability to solve complex legal problems by collaborating across borders and practice areas, using transformative technology, and dealing with people with empathy.’
‘Ash Tiwari is a phenomenal lawyer with deep expertise in corporate M&A law, in conjunction with deep knowledge in taxation and technology. She and her team provided advice throughout the entire process, from the start of negotiations to the completion of the transaction. Both her negotiation skills and expertise were a great asset to the progress and outcome of the transaction. Moreover she is very reliable and responds to queries and emails in a timely manner and assists with various queries and concerns with the utmost precision. We recommend Ash to everyone who is looking for a sophisticated and well-educated global corporate lawyer.’
‘Jannan Crozier was excellent. What attracted me to them in the first place was their use of technology, which made obtaining information on status and progress seamless.’
Key clients
Celanese
Suez
Sika
Puig
Wilbur-Ellis
Colt Technology
Emerson Electric Co.
Equinix
S&P Global
Georgia Capital
QinetiQ Group plc
Embracer Group
Coats Group plc
Baker Hughes
BDT Capital
Unilever
GSK
Haleon
Bumble
Natura
Informa
Work highlights
- Advised Celanese, the global specialty chemicals company, on the acquisition of DuPont’s Mobility & Materials business for approximately USD 11 billion.
- Advised Suez and Suez UK on the sale of Suez UK’s waste-management services business from Veolia Environnement SA, firstly to Macquarie and then subsequently to its former owner, Suez S.A.
- Advising Sika on its EUR 5.5 billion acquisition of MBCC from Lonestar.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
Advising across a range of transactions including M&A, joint ventures, disposals and entity formations, the ‘truly full service global law firm,’ Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has recently acted on international matters spanning countries including Brazil, India, the UK and Portugal. Working with large multinational clients, financial institutions and asset managers, the practice is led by the ‘noteworthy’ Tihir Sarkar, who is well-versed in transactional work for corporates and sovereign wealth funds, especially in the context of emerging markets. Nallini Puri is a standout lawyer in the team, offering clients ‘excellent support’ and specialist advice across a range of matters including franchising, M&A, joint ventures, corporate governance and securities. The team has been strengthened by the arrivals of public M&A partner Nick Rumsby, who joined from Linklaters LLP in February 2023, and Ian Shawyer, who previously headed Travers Smith LLP’s private equity and financial sponsors practice before joining Cleary in May 2023. Associate Dan Tierney is another key lawyer, with a broad practice advising buyers and sellers.
Practice head(s):
Tihir Sarkar
Other key lawyers:
Nallini Puri; Nick Rumsby; Ian Shawyer; Dan Tierney; Jim Ho; Jonathan Griggs; Chris Gollop
Testimonials
‘Truly a full-service global law firm that has supported the company in capital market transactions, largescale M&A and other corporate matters. The firm’s ability to coordinate seamlessly across multiple jurisdictions involving complex cross-border matters makes this firm a standout among other firms.’
‘Dan Tierney, Jim Ho and Jonathan Griggs have been standouts for this firm. Their tireless efforts and ability to handle extremely complex M&A and capital market financing, which included cross-border regulatory approvals, has demonstrated why Cleary is our trusted law firm partner on all material matters.’
‘A strong bench with capable lawyers across key jurisdictions. They consistently provide a high level of service and have the capability to deal with complexity.’
Key clients
OpenText
GSK plc
Goldman Sachs
Cerberus Capital Management
Johnson Controls
Veolia Environment
Euronext
Tempur Sealy International Inc.
British International Investment (part of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office)
Cascade Investment L.L.C. (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)
TPG
Grupo Bimbo UK Limited
WillScot Mobile Mini
KBR Inc.
CI&T Inc
Hillhouse
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board
Schibsted ASA
Wockhardt
Atalian Holding Development and Strategy
Work highlights
- Representing OpenText in its recommended offer to acquire the entire issued and to-be-issued share capital of Micro Focus International PLC.
- Advised GSK plc on the U.S. aspects of the separation of its consumer healthcare business into a standalone business held by Haleon plc.
- Representing Goldman Sachs in its capacity as a shareholder in ReNew Power, in a sale of shares in Renew to Canadian Pension Fund Investment Board.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
The ‘highly skilled professionals’ at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher have a diverse client roster that features financial institutions, global private equity funds, UK plcs and US conglomerates. With a comprehensive sector focus across the infrastructure, financial services, technology, healthcare, life sciences, energy and real estate industries, the highly experienced firm-wide corporate bench is led by Robert Little and Saee Muzumdar , who are based in Dallas and New York respectively. In London, Wim De Vlieger offers significant experience in strategic cross-border M&A and capital market transactions, while Federico Fruhbeck focuses on M&A across Europe and Latin America, particularly in the ESG, infrastructure and real assets space. Mark Sperotto has a broad practice covering all aspects of corporate, private equity and investments work, with expertise in the UK and Italian markets and across the retail, leisure, gaming and e-commerce sectors. Dual qualified as a barrister and solicitor, Selina Sagayam is well-versed in corporate matters involving the City Code, joint ventures, and corporate governance. Private equity M&A lawyers Alice Brogi and Amar Madhani are also noted.
Practice head(s):
Robert Little; Saee Muzumdar
Other key lawyers:
Wim De Vlieger; Federico Fruhbeck; Mark Sperotto; Selina Sagayam; Alice Brogi; Amar Madhani
Testimonials
‘The team consists of highly skilled professionals who possess deep industry knowledge and expertise in M&A. They have successfully handled a complex M&A transaction for us and have a proven track record of achieving favourable outcomes for their clients.’
Key clients
Quidel Corporation
Brown-Forman Corporation
American Airlines
Gamma Biosciences
Accurus Aerospace
Marubeni
Helios Towers plc
The Hut Group
AT&T Inc.
Norton Rose Fulbright
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.
Practice head(s):
Raj Karia
Other key lawyers:
Paul Whitelock; Alan Bainbridge; Fiona Millington; Christopher (Chris) Grieves; Stephen Rigby; Zahra Sachedina
Testimonials
‘NRF is a top international law firm with an outstanding ability to provide legal advice aiming to achieve the client’s goals. They have a strategic view and are very aligned to dealmakers. Their team is very technical and have a high sense of collaboration.’
Key clients
AIG
Bank of Montreal
Barrick Gold
BHP Billiton
BMW
BP plc
Brookfield
CME Group
Delta Air Lines
HSBC
Lloyds Banking Group
Centamin
Orange SA
Rio Tinto
Santander
SNC-Lavalin Group
Teliasonera AB
Terra Firma Capital Partners
Vodafone
3M
Bombardier
DVB Bank
Modern Times Group (MTG)
Enerflex Ltd
Mr. Jisheng Gao
BMO Financial Group
Equatorial Energia SA
Coca-Cola HBC
Kerry Group plc
Citi
Shell
Sandvik AB
Goldman Sachs & J.P. Morgan
B of A Securities
RBC Capital Markets
Investec
Charles Stanley Group plc
Restore plc
Good Energy
Work highlights
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Heading up the mergers and acquisitions offering at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in London is a trio of lawyers including: managing partner and co-head of private equity group, Richard Pollack; Ben Perry, who attracts praise for his wide-ranging expertise in corporate transactions; and ‘stand-out’ partner Jeremy Kutner , who services family offices, global companies, private equity and sovereign wealth funds on investments across sectors including fintech and food and beverages. Concentrating on complex and high-profile transactions, like 2022's $4.4bn acquisition by Emirates Telecommunications Group of a stake in Vodafone group, the team has a strong corporate and financial institutions client base, including the likes of Goldman Sachs and Stellantis.
Practice head(s):
Richard Pollack; Ben Perry; Jeremy Kutner
Other key lawyers:
Vanessa Blackmore; Oderisio de Vito Piscicelli; Anna Chirou; Priyanka Butani
Testimonials
‘The S&C London team advised us on a complicated acquisition. They successfully managed collaborations among all of the relevant parties in different countries and different time zones. The team was willing to assist and educate local counsels. They were all quite responsive and went out of their way to support us on the matter.’
‘Jeremy Kutner showed stand-out leadership.’
‘Jeremy Kutner and Priyanka Butani consistently provide first class, expert advice and counsel. They are reliable and responsive.’
Work highlights
Travers Smith LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
Spencer Summerfield; Andrew Gillen; Lucie Cawood
Other key lawyers:
Richard Spedding; Adrian West; Tom Coulter
Testimonials
‘The Travers corporate team are smart, nimble and extremely practical.’
‘Spencer Summerfield is a master of knowing how to solve even the hardest of problems.’
Key clients
Foresight Group
TruFin
McColl’s Retail Group
Distribution Finance Capital
Benchmark
Marwyn
Jefferies
Numis
Berenberg
Liberum
Peel Hunt
Investec
finnCap
Arden Partners
Deutsche Bank
J.P Morgan
Cazenove
Work highlights
- Advised Brewin Dolphin on its recommended £1.6bn takeover by RBC Wealth Management.
- Advised Noble Corporation on its redomicile to the UK and combination with Danish-listed company Maersk Drilling.
- Advised insurance brokerage firm Brown & Brown, Inc. on the acquisition of independent insurance intermediary Global Risk Partners, a large independent insurance intermediaries in the UK.
White & Case LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
Philip Broke
Other key lawyers:
Allan Taylor; Tom Matthews; Sonica Tolani; Hyder Jumabhoy; Ian Ivory; David Lewis; Richard Wilson
Testimonials
‘The White & Case LLP team has excellent skills in M&A and premium deals. They are also strong in providing creative and workable solutions to unique/ first-time problems facing deals.’
‘The partners at White & Case are very knowledgeable and accessible. They work closely with clients to solve problems and push deals to completion.’
‘Given its size, W&C is in a position to advise on all legal matters related to an M&A transaction. We very much appreciated that one partner, Hyder Jumabhoy, coordinated everything but the entire staff was extremely friendly and helpful. W&C is a large law firm yet we found we were in a personal environment.’
‘Hyder Jumabhoy is just an extraordinary lawyer. It is a pleasure to work with him, since he is always available, coordinates any legal issues, shows leadership and is business-minded. He does not become obsessed by legal details but keeps in mind the clients’ business interests and navigates the client through negotiations and completion. As inhouse counsel it is just great to have such a lawyer.’
Key clients
Avast PLC
Brookfield Infrastructure
GSK PLC
Gorillas
Seplat Energy Plc
Triton Investment Management Limited
Derco Group
Tink
Nostrum Oil & Gas plc
Fenwick
Antin Infrastructure
Neste
Somoil
Ocean Outdoor
Work highlights
- Represented Avast plc, the FTSE 100 global leader in digital security and privacy, on its US$9.2 billion merger with NortonLifeLock.
- Represented Brookfield Infrastructure in connection with its £4.08 billion recommended offer for HomeServe plc, a home repairs and emergency services group with businesses across the UK, US, Europe and Asia.
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Offering extensive experience advising on listings, takeovers and international public and private M&A, the M&A team at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, consists of both English and US qualified lawyers. It is headed up by Will Pearce, who regularly advises investment banking, private equity and corporate clients, and who specialises in takeover work and securities offerings. Corporate finance and capital markets specialist Dan Hirschovits offers significant knowledge of market practice and rules in relation to UK listed company transactions and corporate governance. Advising on Chinese investments into Europe, counsel William Tong has a broad practice covering M&A, early-stage and growth equity investments, restructuring and joint ventures across a range of industries including financial services, consumer retail and fintech. Also offering strong capabilities in Takeover Code work is counsel Joseph Scrace.
Practice head(s):
Will Pearce
Other key lawyers:
Dan Hirschovits; William Tong; Joseph Scrace
Key clients
Amdocs
Astorg
Atairos
BDT Capital Partners
Brookfield
Comcast Corporation
Corsair Capital
Ding (
Evercore
Ferrero
Lazard
Lightyear Capital
LVMH
Made.com
MSCI
Natura
NewMed Energy
Nuvei Corporation
Ocado
Reliance Industries
SS&C Technologies
Temenos
Tencent
UBS
Viva Wallet
Work highlights
- Advised Viva Wallet on the acquisition by J.P. Morgan of an ownership stake of around 49% in Viva Wallet.
- Advised Atairos on its $580 million take private of Ocean Outdoor.
- Advised Gilead Sciences on its $405 million acquisition of MiroBio.
Hogan Lovells International LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
Patrick Sarch
Other key lawyers:
Sarah Shaw; Nicola Evans; Tom Brassington; John Connell; Peter Watts; Jonathan Russell; Anthony Doolittle
Testimonials
‘Great service and knowledgeable team on market practice , with good advice on approaches with added commercial edge.’
‘Very good technical skills and they use their high-level knowledge, skills and experience in a very practical manner. Very commercial team that applies legal rules and knowledge to provide a solutions-oriented approach in complex legal matters.’
‘Patrick Sarch is an extremely experienced, practical and approachable partner. He is precise, gives to-the-point advice on all substantial law matters, is solution driven, and a good communicator – managing difficult clients and always convincing the other party through his smooth but concise legal advice. With Anthony Doolittle they are an excellent team. Anthony is also excellent in substantial law advice and has led the various teams in complex transactions. He is also always approachable with his concise advice.’
‘Nicola Evans is proactive, thinks ahead and provides pragmatic solutions.’
‘John Connell delivers results without compromise and is highly proactive.’
Key clients
Internet Mobile Communications Limited
Shaftesbury PLC
Clipper Logistics plc
PerkinElmer, Inc.
Tetra Tech, Inc.
ITV plc
AEG Europe
Booking.com
LHV UK Limited
Sojitz Corporation
SMS Group Plc
Global Ports Holding Plc
Work highlights
- Advised FTSE-250 listed Shaftesbury PLC and its board on its recommended £5bn all-share merger with FTSE-250 listed Capital & Counties Properties PLC.
- Advised London- listed Clipper Logistics plc on its recommended c.£1bn cash and shares takeover offer by GXO Logistics, Inc.
- Advised PerkinElmer, Inc., a global life sciences and diagnostics company, on the US$2.45bn sale of its applied, food and enterprise services businesses to New Mountain Capital, a growth-oriented investment firm.
Jones Day
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.
Practice head(s):
Giles Elliott; Leon Ferera; Vica Irani
Testimonials
‘Provide quick, to the point practical solutions based on in-depth knowledge. Able to provide services in several jurisdictions from different offices with the same level of quality with one single contact. They have a very good understanding of their client, its business and its needs and are proactive with the provision of advice.’
‘The team is very client focused, their availability is excellent and the experience closing the deal is world class.’
‘Leon Ferera is highly experienced and very competent with a good understanding of clients’ technical matters and issues. He is structured and pragmatic, coordinating and leading his team effectively. Besides all of this, he is a very pleasant person to work with. Mathis Bredimus is very proactive, to the point, always available, flexible, pragmatic, providing quick and sound advice.’
‘Top notch legal and tactical advice from well-seasoned partners.’
‘Leon Ferera is a fantastic partner who not only knows his clients very well and therefore is able to provide the best counsel possible, but is a real business partner. When discussions become difficult, he is able to make the difference for his clients.’
‘The team has a strategic mindset, cuts to the essence of issues and provides legal advice anchored in business decisions.’
‘The team is well organised, tasks are assigned efficiently, the team have lots of experience and are always available.’
Key clients
Sun Communities
Macquarie Asset Management
Berry Global Group
American Industrial Partners Capital Fund VI LP
Koch Industries
ANSYS, Inc.
Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC
ENI
J.F. Lehman & Company
Eastman
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.
Avient Corporation
Work highlights
Milbank
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.
Practice head(s):
Lisa O’Neill; Andrej Wolf; Jordan Simpson
Other key lawyers:
Mark Stamp
Key clients
SKY Leasing
Fortress Investment Group
Maverick Aviation Partnership LP (an investment vehicle managed by Carlyle Aviation Partners)
Sun European Partners
Summit Partners
Flender
Sartorius
Cerberus European Investments, LLC
Varde Partners Europe Limited, Teide Ltd and Mulhacen Pte Ltd
Nebras Power
Work highlights
- Advised SKY, an aviation leasing company and service provider, on the sale by Sky Fund I, LP of Sky Fund I Irish, Ltd. and its subsidiaries to Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd.
- Advised Fortress and certain of its managed funds on the sale to Chorus Aviation Inc. of Falko Regional Aircraft Limited, together with other asset owning entities managed by Falko, in a transaction valued at approximately US$855 million.
Paul Hastings LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
Matthew Poxon; Jessamy Gallagher
Other key lawyers:
David Prowse
Testimonials
‘The Paul Hastings team takes a highly commercial approach to deals. Their deep sector specific expertise enables them to cut through the most complex legal matters quickly allowing for expedient and efficient deployment of resources. The team is extremely available, meaning that turnaround is quick and highly reactive to what can often be highly fluid circumstances.’
‘Matthew Poxon is extremely knowledgeable, with deep sector specific expertise. What differentiates him from competitors is his commercial acumen, which enables his clients to quickly and efficiently drive to tangible action. Matthew is extremely available which allows for a highly reactive response to what can often be a highly fluid environment.’
‘Very strong in large complex cross-border corporate transactions, including M&A, investments and joint ventures.’
‘David Prowse is a stand-out partner for us. He knows our business very well and always provides sensible, tailored and commercial-orientated advice. He is always available whenever you need him and highly responsive.’
‘This team are always quick to respond with sound and always very commercial advice. I have never dealt with a firm that is both excellent on the legal detail, but also strong on commercial perspective.’
‘Matthew Poxon is the best commercial and corporate lawyer I have ever dealt with. He is incredibly sharp on legal detail, but he is especially stand out on commercial rationale and thinking.’
‘The general quality of the individual lawyers is exceptional. The team of lawyers stand out for their capabilities, creativity and ability to think outside of the box.’
‘The team are always ultra-responsive and always go the extra mile to provide the highest quality client service. They have a deep industry knowledge and over the last couple of years have really developed their bench strength such that no matter who works on the transaction, the level of advice and support doesn’t dip. They always manage to quickly understand the task at hand and identify what the key issues are that matter to us as a client.’
Key clients
City Football Group
PineBridge Benson Elliot
Group 42
Symphony Technology Group
Cipriani Holdings
Heritage Group
Abercrombie & Kent
International Holding Company
Centerbridge
OpCapita
Basecamp
The Office Group
Work highlights
- Advised on the acquisition by Symphony Technology Group, a California-based private equity firm, of the commodities business of Brady Technologies Group, a global trading, risk and logistics software provider for the energy sector.
- Advised on the investment by G42 Investments AI Holding limited in NASDAQ-listed vTv Therapeutics Inc involving the acquisition of Class A Common Stock in vTv.
- Advised Theta Bidco Limited, a newly-incorporated company owned by International Holding Company and Tasheel, on its acquisition of Arena Events Group plc by way of scheme of arrangement.
Akin
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.
Practice head(s):
Sebastian Rice; Shaun Lascelles; Gavin Weir
Other key lawyers:
Simon Rootsey; Harry Keegan; Jing Ng
Testimonials
‘Very professional, responsive and business orientated.’
‘Gavin Weir is an excellent professional, with deep knowledge of the market, very responsive and with business sense.’
‘I have worked with Akin Gump on M&A transactions for many years and find their work of very high quality. The M&A teams are always very well staffed with a combination of partners and associates.’
‘ Shaun Lascelles is very commercial in his approach and always looks for solutions rather than highlighting legal issues. His team of associates at Akin Gump is very capable and pragmatic. Jing Ng, who is counsel, is exceptional.’
Key clients
Vitol/VIP Blue
Alpha Bank
Piraeus Bank
Olin Corporation
Oaktree
TPH
Online Payments Group
Southbridge Advisers
Mediobanca
Polus Capital Management
Work highlights
- Advised VIP II Blue B.V, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vitol Investment Partnership II Ltd (VIP II), in its $2.3 billion takeover of Vivo Energy Plc.
- Advised Olin Corporation on its global strategic alliance with Mitsui & Co., Ltd known as the Blue Water Alliance with a deal enterprise value of over $1 billion.
- Advised Piraeus Bank on the first of its kind sale of its Merchant Acquiring Unit to the global payments specialist Euronet Worldwide and the formation of a long-term strategic partnership between Piraeus Bank and Euronet Worldwide.
Dechert LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
Christopher Field; Adam Levin
Other key lawyers:
Douglas Getter; Ross Montgomery; Sam Whittaker
Testimonials
‘Experienced, courteous, patient, able to anticipate critical situations and fair-minded – these are but some of the qualities that make the team at Dechert stand out.’
‘The team has good skills, very good knowledge of the business, great flexibility and excellent engagement.’
‘Doug Getter and Ross Montgomery are experienced M&A lawyers and great partners for our business. They are truly collaborative and take pride in getting the correct lawyers for each matter we need whether it is tax, employment, capital markets or governance.’
Key clients
Bentley Systems
BXR Group
Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A
Connexa Sports Technologies, Inc.
Davies Group
GIC
Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, S.A. (OTE)
Iconix Brand Group, Inc.
Kinross Gold Corporation
Phoenix Insurance Company
Work highlights
- Advised GIC, the sovereign wealth fund of Singapore, as part of an investment consortium, on its US$16 billion take-private acquisition of a media analytics company.
- Advised GIC, as part of a consortium led by Blackstone that includes GIC and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, on the consortium’s partial sale of a 4% stake in London Stock Exchange Group plc (LSEG) to Microsoft and its share buyback by the LSEG.
- Advised Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Italy, on its US$1.48 billion acquisition of Amryt Pharma plc by way of an English scheme of arrangement.
Mayer Brown International LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
Kate Ball-Dodd
Other key lawyers:
Perry Yam; Richard Page; Rebecca Bothamley
Testimonials
‘Kate Ball-Dodd is very responsive, creative, solution focused and very commercial.’
‘The firm strives to have a fundamental understanding of your business and how it operates. This makes for a much better relationship and avoids unnecessary advice.’
‘As a cohort, the team I have dealt with are all super-efficient, unflappable and a pleasure to deal with. They are great lawyers while remaining human.’
Key clients
ARM Limited
The British Land Company plc
Klesch Group
Unilever plc
Mitie Group plc
Shearwater Group
M3 Capital Partners/Evergreen Extra MSA
VAALCO Energy, Inc,
Beazley plc
PETRONAS
Work highlights
- Advised VAALCO Energy, an independent energy company, in its $307million stock-for-stock strategic business combination with TransGlobe Energy Corporation.
- Advised Petronas on a proposed sale of assets in South Sudan for $1.25 billion.
- Advised British Landon on the sale of a 75% interest in its Paddington Central assets to Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC for £694 million, representing a gross asset value of £936 million.
Morrison Foerster
Hugely experienced and well-equipped in high value and cross-border technology M&A transactions, Morrison Foerster’s corporate team offers ‘hands on engagement, incisive advice and is commercial.’ Recent work has included mandates in the food and agricultural industries for clients including Tate & Lyle. London managing partner Andrew Boyd is a key lawyer in this team, regularly handling M&A, carve outs and minority equity investments, domestically and internationally. Offering deep expertise in the technology space, particularly in semiconductor and quantum computing industries is Gary Brown. Simon Arlington is active across all aspects of M&A and private equity, while Stuart Alford regularly advises European, Asian and US-based clients in general corporate advisory, investments and private equity. Partner Amit Kataria has joined King & Spalding LLP, while Dan Coppel joined Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath in September 2023.
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Boyd; Gary Brown; Simon Arlington; Stuart Alford
Testimonials
‘The team offers hands on engagement, incisive advice, and is commercial. We worked with Gary Brown.’
‘They understand our business on a global scale and work hard to ensure staffing is appropriate. They are always available and very commercial.’
‘Gary Brown is extremely hard working and commercial.’
Key clients
SoftBank Group Corp.
SoftBank Vision Fund 2
Arm Limited
Tate & Lyle PLC
Axalta Coating Systems
Genius Sports Group Limited
Yoast BV
Cambridge Quantum (a subsidiary of Honeywell Group)
Imerys SA
Omya International AG
LIVEKINDLY Collective
Verdane
Castlelake
VNK Capital
Virgo Investment Group
CellPoint Digital
Ally Bridge Group
FLYR, Inc.
eBay
Visa
Work highlights
- Represented SoftBank Group Corp. and SoftBank Vision Fund in the proposed $65 billion sale of UK-headquartered multinational semiconductor and software design company Arm Limited to leading U.S. chip company NVIDIA.
- Advised eBay in connection with its acquisition of KnownOrigin, a non-fungible token marketplace founded in 2018 in Manchester.
- Advised SoftBank Group Corp. in connection with the combination of satellite companies Eutelsat and OneWeb, the low Earth orbit satellite communications company jointly owned by the UK Government and Bharti Global.
Proskauer Rose LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
Steven Davis
Other key lawyers:
Richard Bull; Andrew Wingfield; Rebecca Villarreal
Key clients
7RIDGE
Accor
AnaCap Financial Partners
Auctane
Charterhouse Capital Partners
Deliveroo
Exponent Private Equity
ICG
Investcorp
Lion Capital
One Peak Partners
Pollen Street Capital
Rubicon Partners
Synova
Toscafund
Varde Partners
Work highlights
- Represented Tysers, a London-based Lloyd’s wholesale broker, on its sale to Australia’s AUB Group Limited for AU$800 million (approx. £500 million).
- Advised Arkema Inc. on its agreement to acquire the performance-adhesives unit of Ashland Global Holdings Inc., in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.65 billion.
- Acted as lead counsel to Enra Specialist Finance and its shareholders on its sale to Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited, an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management LP, of a global investment management company, for £350 million.
Shearman & Sterling 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.
Practice head(s):
Paul Strecker
Other key lawyers:
Nick Withers; Maegen Morrison
Key clients
Liberty Global
Anglo American
Esso Italiana S.R.L
Goldman Sachs
Kuwait Finance House KSCP
Elemental Holdings
Bank of America
IFC
EFG Hermes
JP Morgan
Circet (UK) Limited
VICE Media
General Electric
Global Transport Income Fund Master Partnership SCSp
Albemarle Corporation
Work highlights
- Advised Liberty Global on its acquisition of 1,335,000,000 shares in Vodafone Group Plc representing 4.92% of the outstanding share capital (excluding treasury shares).
- Assisted Anglo American on its combination with First Mode Holdings, Inc.
- Advised Esso Italiana S.R.L a wholly owned subsidiary of ExxonMobil Group, which entered into a sale and purchase agreement for the disposal of Esso’s Italian downstream fuels business to Italiana Petroli S.P.A.
Sidley Austin LLP
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.
Practice head(s):
Thomas Thesing
Other key lawyers:
Philip Cheveley; James Wood; Robert Darwin; Lyndsey Laverack; Ed Perry; Fatema Orjela
Testimonials
‘Top tier corporate practice that have all the strings to their bow that any financial sponsor client requires from their trusted legal advisors. The talent amongst the Sidley team speaks for itself.’
‘Fatema Orjela is a key relationship partner for us and her service offering to our firm is second to none. Fatema is adept at turning her hand to all types of transactions and legal issues, which makes her a trusted advisor beyond just our direct private equity transactional needs. Lyndsey Laverack is one of the best M&A and private equity lawyers with whom I have ever worked. While her current practice has a focus on corporate real estate, the breadth of her wider experience ensures she is well placed to advise on a wide range of complex corporate and private equity transactions.’
‘Subject matter experts who offer global expertise and can support in a wide range of areas.’
‘Strong industry experience across broad range of areas. The team can stand up to counterparty’s counsel and argue points effectively.’
‘The team has sharp and incisive judgment. The lawyers produce a high-quality work product by always bringing the best of the firm forward for a given matter.’
Key clients
Westfield
Huma Therapeutics
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Colliers International Group
Judges Scientific
Perspectum Group Ltd.
Bank of Cyprus Holdings plc
Work highlights
- Advised Westfield on the completion of its acquisition of the Lloyd’s of London operations of Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.
- Assisted Bank of Cyprus Holdings plc with its response to unsolicited takeover proposals submitted by an affiliate of a fund advised by Lone Star.
- Advised Huma Therapeutics on its acquisition of digital health platform AMAZE from AstraZeneca.