The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > South East > Corporate and commercial: Hampshire

Corporate restructurings, disposals and refinancing are among the key workstreams for Blake Morgan LLP's corporate team. It has a strong reputation for work arising from the healthcare, education, technology and retail sectors. Team head James Hawkeswood focuses on handling M&A, joint ventures and private equity matters for private entities. Commercial IP specialist Sheilah Mackie departed for an in-house position at BAE Systems in 2018. In another development, corporate tax specialist Simon Court retired from private practice.

In addition to acting for entities in the technology, financial services and manufacturing & logistics sectors, Moore Blatch LLP generates work from private entrepreneurs. Its practice covers M&A, IPOs, private equity transactions, fundraisings, buy-ins and buy-outs. The team is experienced in assisting clients with strategic serial acquisitions. Peter Jeffery is sought out to act for management teams, with a primary focus on the tech sector. Dorothy Agnew is the name to note for IT contract work.

Shoosmiths LLP's practice has a strong reputation in the venture capital, private equity and mid-market M&A arenas. Its team acts for management teams, SMEs and both national and international entities, with particular experience of advising technology sector clients. The head of the national private equity group is Sean Wright, who acts for private equity investors, management teams and portfolio companies. Stephen Porter leads the firm's national corporate division.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP has experience of matters with a nexus to the energy, retail and financial services sectors. A significant portion of its work has a cross-border aspect, and the firm has a strong profile among international clients. On the domestic front, the team acts for several large entities, which are headquartered in Hampshire.  Sebastian Briggs often leads on energy sector transactions. Ian Holden's varied practice includes corporate finance, acquisitions and disposals, and shareholder and joint venture agreements.

In addition to undertaking mid-market M&A, Irwin Mitchell's team also handles joint ventures and corporate restructurings. The team works across offices, enabling it to draw on firm-wide expertise in private equity transactions. Dean Drew is the name to note.

The nine-partner team at Paris Smith LLP acts for clients ranging in size from owner-managed businesses to large national clients. It is also increasingly active in the advice to international entities. The group is led by Sean Davies. Another key figure is Amanda Brockwell, who is active in transactional work for mid-market clients, including those undertaking serial acquisitions. Jonathon Roy is an M&A specialist.

The arrival of commercial contracts specialist Jon Stickland from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in May 2018 has bolstered Trethowans LLP's corporate & commercial offering. Team head Mike Watson is experienced in advising buyers and sellers of privately-owned businesses. Elsewhere, the group handles the drafting of investment agreements, shareholder agreements and joint venture agreements. Paula Eckton departed for Steele Raymond LLP in June 2018.

Led by Sean Kelly, the corporate practice at BDB Pitmans demonstrates strong capabilities in private equity transactions; these include management buyouts and deals backed by private equity or venture capital trusts. Oliver Kelly specialises in M&A, buy-ins and buyouts and corporate finance. The firm has been particularly active in matters connected with the travel, marine/transport and IT/technology sectors recently.

Clarke Willmott LLP works on a steady flow of management buyout deals involving private equity-backed entities. Its team is also increasingly sought out in cross-jurisdictional transactions. Richard Swain has a strong track record of acting for clients in the banking & finance and telecommunications sectors. The firm's ability to deliver full-service corporate and commercial advice is supported by expertise in ancillary areas, such as real estate, IP, and employment. Niall Murphy provides tax support to corporate clients.

In addition to attracting a steady stream of M&A, Coffin Mew LLP's corporate team works on MBOs, MBIs, fundraisings and shareholder agreements. The team is also developing a strategic focus on the private equity space, with it increasingly acting for private equity-backed businesses. Areas of sector expertise include technology, care & protection and real estate. Hayley Bevis is the head of the firm-wide corporate practice.

Foot Anstey's practice has had a marked uptick in cross-border mandates, with the firm acting for entities in the US, Portugal and Belgium, among other markets. Mark Pinder in Southampton has been instrumental in building up the firm's international practice, and has a wealth of experience of cross-border M&A work, with particular knowledge of the Middle East. The firm has core strengths in matters connected with the banking and finance, media and technology, property, infrastructure and construction, and retail and leisure sectors.