The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > West Midlands > Corporate and commercial: Birmingham

DLA Piper UK LLP  is known for its work on complex cross-border transactions with extensive experience in both M&A and capital markets.  The team is led by 'tough negotiator' Noel Haywood  and Charles Cook , who both focus on international M&A transactions.  Also recommended are private equity partner Tim Lake , capital markets partner John Campion  and rising star senior associate Robert Newman .

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP  covers the full spectrum of corporate and commercial work from its Birmingham base, with an enviable client roster that includes a number of large corporates and private equity houses, carrying out high profile transactions in the region. Mark Beardmore , who has experience of both private equity and M&A transactions, sits at the helm of the practice. Susan Lewis is another key M&A partner with a strong focus on cross-border deals, while Theresa-Marie Stodell  adds experience of restructurings as well as M&A.

Gowling WLG  has a strong reputation for working on high profile M&A and private equity deals within the region and beyond. The team focuses on sectors including real estate and the automotive industry as well as handling work for investment funds.  David Vaughan  leads the corporate team and is supported by Chris Towle , Ragi Singh , Andrew Lawton Smith  and Jeremy Millington . The commercial side is led by Sally Mewies , whose team also includes Sarah Sasse , Stephen Kenny  and principal associate Caroline McNally .

Freeths LLP 's corporate and commercial practice is a prominent force in the retail, construction, logistics, hospitality and public sectors. Lee Clifford  leads the corporate team and is highly skilled in handling PE transactions. Heading up the commercial team is Nigel Gardner , whose main sector focus is on the logistics and hospitality sectors.

Gateley Plc  has a strong presence in the region, as highlighted by its work in M&A, private equity and commercial contracts. Tom Durrant  heads the corporate team nationally and is an expert in cross-border acquisitions and disposals.  Other prominent figures from the team include: capital markets specialist Paul Cliff ; private equity expert Simon Gill ; Chris Reed , who is  skilled in acquisitions and disposals;  Michael Ward , who is highly experienced in corporate transactions and restructurings; and public company  lawyer Tom Rush .

Mills & Reeve LLP 's corporate practice is led by Julian Smith , who focuses on the healthcare sector; Peter McLintock  , who is an expert in private equity; and Jayne Hussey , who specialises in  mid-market transactions, with a particular focus on the automotive sector. Also recommended is principal associate Ruth Andrew  , who specialises in commercial contracts.

Pinsent Masons LLP's Birmingham team has a particularly international focus, with a notable skillset in private equity, M&A and capital market transactions. In terms of sector focus, prominent industries for the team include energy, technology, healthcare and manufacturing. Nicole Livesey  heads up the corporate department and is highly involved in the advanced manufacturing sector. Public sector specialist  Clare Francis  leads the commercial side and is notably skilled in advising on Brexit-related issues. Andrew Hornigold  is another name of note, and is heavily involved in corporate issues surrounding the technology sector.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP has a broad practice covering  M&A, corporate finance, private equity and general commercial matters. Practice head Richard Wrigley is an expert in transactions and restructurings, with a strong emphasis on the energy sector.  Other important names include: mid-market M&A specialist Adam McGiveron ; the corporate finance-focused Kavita Patel ; and Keith Spedding , who has a strong interest in the tech sector.

Squire Patton Boggs' corporate and commercial team advises industrial, manufacturing, healthcare, retail and sports companies on public and private M&A and private equity deals.  The 'excellent' Geoff Perry  leads the team and focuses on mid-market M&A and PE transactions alongside partners such as  Andrew  Glaze . Other important members of the team include David Hull , who is highly experienced in corporate transactions, particularly in the sports sector where the firm works with a large number of football teams,  and commercial expert Stuart James , who often advises on procurement and sourcing matters.

Browne Jacobson LLP 's corporate team focuses on M&A, private equity and venture capital deals, while the commercial team is primarily concerned with contractual matters. Mike Jackson  heads up the corporate side and has a particular emphasis on the technology sector. The commercial team is led by Ryan Harrison , who frequently advises on cross-border matters.

Emms Gilmore Liberson 's corporate and commercial team advises on M&A, restructurings, joint ventures and commercial contracts. It is also developing its healthcare client-base.  Leading the practice  is Stephen Gilmore , who is notably strong in shareholder and partnership agreements and Gregory Emms, who focuses on a range of  corporate transactions.

Fieldfisher LLP  launched in Birmingham in late 2016  when it merged with specialist business law firm Hill Hofstetter. Now, the firm's corporate and commercial team, which is headed by partner Chris Hill, focuses on advising the professional services sector on acquisitions, disposals and restructurings. It also  advises tech and other companies on software and hardware transactions, with a high proportion of its matters involving some international element. Matthew Williams  joined from Orrick  to help strengthen the firm's corporate presence in the  energy, commodities and infrastructure sectors, with Hugo Lidbetter  joining as a partner from EDF as part of the same push.

Irwin Mitchell handles M&A, private equity and commercial contracts from its Birmingham office. Nick Dawson  co-heads a team clients describe as 'easy to do business with' and is very active in M&A and private equity deals. Sarah Riding  leads on the commercial side and is an expert in commercial contracts and outsourcing agreements. The third practice head is Chris Rawstron ,  who primarily focuses on corporate transactions and capital raising.

Shoosmiths LLP  has a multi-disciplined corporate and commercial practice which is particularly known for its work in the private equity and venture capital space. Alastair Peet  heads the national venture capital team and is also very skilled in public M&A. Ben Turner  leads the midlands corporate group, which has a strong focus on the  hospitality, technology and real estate sectors. Also recommended is commercial team head David Jackson , who is notably strong in the technology sector.

Clarke Willmott LLP has a broad corporate practice but its Birmingham office has a particular focus on the education, manufacturing, logistics and real estate sectors. John Irving  works at the helm and is notably skilled in  competition and supply chain issues. Corporate lawyer Andrew Beedham  is also recommended.

DWF 's small Birmingham corporate team is led by Mark Gibson . The team works closely with other DWF offices, in particular those in Manchester and Liverpool, as well as London. Its client-base includes FTSE 250-listed UK corporates and financial institutions as well as handling work from the US, Russia and the CEE. Gibson has extensive experience in handling M&A, disposals and management buy outs. The sectors he is most active in include hospitality, healthcare, technology and financial services.

The Wilkes Partnership  is strong in mid-market deals involving M&A,  disposals and management buyouts. Managing partner Gareth O’Hara  leads the Midlands' firm's team and has a particular focus on the automotive sector.

Weightmans LLP  has a practice with a particular focus on  private equity transactions and owner-managed businesses, especially those in the automotive manufacturing supply chain.  The corporate team is led by Mathew Harvey , who focuses on both areas, while the commercial side of the offering is headed by Tracy Lake , who joined in late 2018 from National Grid and who predominantly works on commercial contracts in the utilities sector.