Corporate and commercial: Hampshire in South East

Blake Morgan LLP’s diverse client base regularly turns to the firm's corporate and commercial team for assistance on a range of major acquisitions, disposals, takeovers and restructurings. Practice head James Hawkeswood, a known figure in the SME space, is supported by Mark Hepworth, who chiefly handles corporate transactions for private equity houses, and Stephen Archibald, who is well-versed in institutional equity matters and general advisory mandates. Gemma Spiceley’s practice underpins the team’s reputation in the retail, health and social care sectors, while Mat Wilson is noted for venture capital deals and corporate group restructurings. All named lawyers are based in Southampton.

Continuing to reap the benefits of the 2020 merger between legacy Moore Blatch and Barlow Robbins that created it, Moore Barlow’s sizeable Southampton practice acts for a range of SMEs, AIM-listed companies, private equity houses, and non-profits on numerous corporate transactions and commercial matters. Jointly led by Jeremy Over  in Southampton and John Warchus in London, the corporate and commercial team frequently advises on complex disposals, commercial agreements and management buyouts. Roger Bailey advises clients on M&A, capital markets and private market deals and has a particular niche advising on the takeover of private companies with multiple shareholders. Dorothy Agnew and Peter Jeffery are both key contacts for the firm’s technology sector clients.

With a practice built around venture capital, private equity and mid-market M&A transactions, Shoosmiths LLP‘s Southampton team  is regularly instructed by regional players, national companies and international corporations alike. MBOs, reorganisations, and  liquidation demergers all fall under the team’s remit. Nationally led by Southampton-based Stephen Porter,  Mark Shepherd leads the Solent team on corporate and commercial matters, while Sean Wright helms the group’s private equity division. Emma Livesey, Laura Austin and Georgia Rowe, are noted for their comprehensive support on multiple transactions for many of the firm’s SME and education sector clients.

Trethowans LLP’s sizeable team makes the firm a strong choice for major companies seeking assistance on corporate transactions and commercial contract matters. Practice head Mike Watson regularly acts both for buyers  and sellers of privately owned companies, as does seasoned corporate partner Lucy Gleisner. Nick Gent is noted for his fluency in private equity transactions and funding structures, while Julian Hamblin’s expertise in technology law makes him a key contact for clients seeking commercial solutions to IT matters, especially in the retail and financial services sectors. Jon Stickland plays a key role in the firm’s commercial offering, acting for a broad range of companies on supply chain matters. Jamie Earley is recommended for divestments and corporate finance work.

With a broad roster of clients including blue-chip domestic clients and international entities, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP 's Southampton team is a major regional force, particularly in the energy, manufacturing, and construction sectors. The local practice is jointly led by Paula Bartlett and Ian Holden, who handle the firm’s commercial and corporate interests respectively.  Stephen Pierce is based in Southampton but leads the national corporate team. Bartlett is experienced in data protection and technology matters, while Holden – who also heads up the firm’s French desk – focuses on corporate finance, M&A, and joint venture agreements. Sebastian Briggs plays a key role in renewable energy transactions, in addition to working with various local companies in the marine and technology sectors. Recently promoted legal director Carly Holt is a key contact for the firm’s financial services clients.

BDB Pitmans’ Southampton corporate practice is headed by Sean Kelly, a seasoned transactional and private equity lawyer, who fields a regular stream of instructions from clients across sectors including leisure, travel, TMT, marine and transport. In recent months, the firm has been engaged on mandates ranging from strategic acquisitions, to buyouts and demergers. Oliver Kelly is noted for his experience with venture capital trusts and corporate reorganisations, the latter of which has proved a key work stream since the outbreak of the pandemic. .

The team at Clarke Willmott LLP handles a complete range of corporate transactions and commercial matters for established companies, emerging startups, and investors across a range of sectors. Southampton-based practice head Kelvin Balmont is noted for his experience acting for technology businesses and manufacturers.

Paris Smith LLP’s combined corporate, commercial and finance practice has been building on its sell-side transactional reputation with Hampshire SMEs by handling an increasing number of acquisitions, IPOs and management buyouts, often with an international aspect. The firm has also adivsed on a number of solvent restructurings over the course of the pandemic. Southampton-based Michael Moore manages the firm’s corporate and private equity teams, and in recent months has been a key figure for distressed M&A transactions. Crispin Dick heads up the commercial team from the Winchester office, while Jonathon Roy jointly runs the firm’s private equity practice alongside Moore. Richard Atcherley attracts substantial work in the SME space, increasingly from international companies. Arezou Rezai is recommended for her work on a broad range of key corporate transactions.