Chris Hallinan > Lewis Silkin > London, England > Lawyer Profile

The LLP and partnership group at Lewis Silkin has amassed an impressive client roster consisting of clients from the legal, accounting, and financial services sectors due to its strong partnership offering which includes contentious and non-contentious assistance. The team is experienced handling domestic and cross-border matters ranging from expulsions, investigations, and team moves, to mergers and acquisitions, compliance, and agreements. Heading up the practice is Clive Greenwood, described as having the ‘safest pair of hands in this sector’ and specialises in disputes and litigation within the financial services sector and frequently litigates before the courts in London and Belfast. The capabilities of the department have been bolstered by the arrival of Chris Hallinan who joined in July 2023 from Addleshaw Goddard. He brings with him a wealth of experience handling non-contentious and professional services regulatory matters including transactions, restructuring, regulatory approval, and governance matters. Michael Burd concentrates on contentious matters including litigation, arbitration, and agreements, while head of the investigations team Karen Baxter focuses on allegations of wrongdoing and professional misconduct. Other key practitioners include Frances Simm, Eleanor Diamond, Nicholas Hadaway, and Fergus Payne.

Described as having ‘the human touch of boutique with the power of enterprise’, the corporate M&A practice at Lewis Silkin strikes the balance between personalised services and strong transactional capabilities. The group is proficient in complex cross-border M&A deals, particularly in the technology, media and entertainment, and advertising and marketing sectors. Paul Rajput leads the team and has a breadth of expertise which covers both the buy and sell side of mergers and acquisitions, as well as venture and private equity capital and joint ventures. Rajput concentrates on assisting clients from the advertising and marketing and media and entertainment sectors. Chair of the firm Jo Evans is recognised for her extensive experience advising clients on M&A transactions, growth plans, and exit strategies. Evans is predominantly instructed by advertising, gaming, and communications businesses. Cross-border transaction specialist Geraint Tilsley is highly knowledgeable of the technology, IT, manufacturing, and engineering sectors, and focuses on supporting French and US companies on mergers and acquisitions. Tilsley is also adept in the private equity and venture capital spaces, leading on investments and portfolio work. The team also benefits from the expertise of Gavin McNaughton – who focuses on M&A, joint ventures, and restructuring – and Simon Entwistle – who has strengths in M&A, joint ventures, and IP matters. Other key names in the department include Sam Pennington, Sadiq Tajbhai, and Francesca Ainsworth. Chris Hallinan joined the team in July 2023 from Addleshaw Goddard.