Marriott Harrison LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Marriott Harrison LLP Offices

80 Cheapside
LONDON
EC2V 6EE
England
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Marriott Harrison LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Corporate and commercial > M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m Tier 2
Marriott Harrison LLP’s corporate team covers a wide range of sectors, advising fast growth technology companies in sectors such as fintech, e-tail, medtech and data analytics to more traditional and established businesses in sectors such as leisure, media, education, retail, resources, engineering and manufacturing. Team head Jonathan Leigh-Hunt has a strong focus on M&A, venture capital and private equity, and also acts for management teams, owners and investee companies on a wide range of other transactions, helping corporate clients on both day-to-day and strategic matters through their life-cycle.Practice head(s):
Jonathan Leigh-Hunt
Other key lawyers:
Daniel Jacob; Ben Devons; Andrew Ross; David Bettis; David Baverstock; Jon Sweet
Testimonials
‘Diverse and deep knowledge on M&A, property and technology matters. Excellent availability of associates and partners.’
‘We have had a superb work done by the team on our transaction. We felt very confident in their hands; and they helped to push and resolve all the issues that popped up in a timely and a professional manner.’
‘David Baverstock – skilled in M&A and commercial transactions. Exceptional advice, support and availability.’
‘They offer leadership, professionalism and the ability to mitigate over all issues, small or large.’
‘The perfect combination of knowledge, insight, experience, dedication, patience, hard work and of course sage advice. Always delivered on demand and on time.’
‘Jon Sweet is the perfect corporate advisor – his knowledge, experience and legal expertise is a foundation for tailored, direct advice in difficult and challenging situations.’
‘Daniel Jacob is an excellent lawyer but also a fantastic manager of his team and his clients. He is very impressive to observe in action.’
Key clients
The Fulham Shore plc
Chiltern Capital
Balderton Capital
Accel Partners
Coolabi Group
Gresham House
Amplience
Delta Capital Group
Keyloop
Planet Organic Limited
D3O
Perfect Image Ltd
Beringea
Primosole Holdings
Creightons
Audiotonix
Work highlights
- Acted for Delta Capita Group Limited on its acquisition of the JDX group, following the strategic fundraising of its majority shareholder, Prytek.
- Advised the seller of Kenyon International Services, Inc., PT Lobos LLC, on the sale of 100% of the share capital of Air Partners Plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange for $12,000,000.
Corporate and commercial > Venture capital Tier 2
Although relatively small, Marriott Harrison LLP is able to draw upon ‘deep venture capital knowledge and experience’, enabling it to punch above its weight and to handle a huge flow of deals for both investors and investees in the tech sector. ‘Exceptionally insightful and innovative’ team head David Strong has a ‘tonnne of experience advising investors and high growth companies’, and has been pivotal to the firm’s success, leading from the front on early and growth stage investments, including for Accel Partners and Balderton. The ‘absolutely amazing’ Fran Spooner was promoted to partner in 2021, a testament to her growing visibility in the market, particularly among investee clients, who are appreciative of her ‘founder-friendly’ approach.Practice head(s):
David Strong
Other key lawyers:
Daniel Jacob; Jonathan Leigh-Hunt; Fran Spooner; Andrew Ross; David Bettis; Graham Halliday; Inbar Cohen; Uday Mehra; James Fleming
Testimonials
‘A small team but one that punches above its weight with deep venture capital knowledge and experience. They are also very responsive and you get full partner attention.’
‘The team is incredibly innovative and versatile.’
‘The firm was able to demonstrate that they had wide experience with start-ups from pre-seed to later stages; particular benefit to us as we continue to scale, having familiarity with the business from the beginning to Series A and beyond.’
‘David Strong is world class and has been exceptionally insightful, responsive and innovative in his approach.’
‘David Strong – excellent, pragmatic, efficient and cost effective.’
‘David Strong has a tonnne of experience advising investors and high growth companies. He has a calm manner and is very responsive.’
‘Fran Spooner has been absolutely amazing to work with. She is really supportive, acts fast, is very transparent and founder-friendly.’
‘David Bettis – a safe pair of hands and a lovely calm manner, able to handle the most difficult of opposing clients/lawyers and deals.’
Key clients
Accel
Balderton
Lightspeed
Andreessen Horowitz
Northzone
Soldo
Beacon
Amplience
Oxford Science Enterprises
Frontline Ventures
Kindred Capital
Gresham House
Beringea
Crane
Redalpine
Cloudmargin
Steeleye
QBN Capital
Work highlights
- Advised Gresham House, Beringea and Acton on the £49.8m Series D financing of mpb.com, the world’s largest reseller of photo and video equipment.
- Represented spend-automation platform Soldo on its $180m Series C financing, led by Temasek.
- Advised top-tier investors Northzone and Lightspeed Venture Partners on $20m Series A financing of virtual travel platform Heygo.
Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers Tier 4
Marriott Harrison LLP works with clients across the technology, media, professional services, leisure and retail sectors on corporate occupier matters, covering lease negotiations, including lease regears using break clauses, as well as headquarter relocations. Mark Lavers, whose ‘advice and support is always first-class’, leads the ‘professional, friendly and knowledgeable’ team and acts for investors and owner occupiers, while ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Stephen Whittaker focuses on real estate financing matters.Practice head(s):
Mark Lavers
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Their work is accurate and timely, and they are knowledgeable and supportive.’
‘Partner-led service by experienced partners.’
‘Mark Lavers is very pragmatic and efficient.’
‘Professional, friendly and knowledgable.’
‘Mark Lavers offers sensible advice, has a good approach and is always helpful.’
‘Dealing with Marriott Harrison means dealing with experts. They star for their speed of response. Nothing is allowed to sit in their inboxes.’
‘Mark Lavers provides a depth of knowledge and a the light touch that my clients need.’
‘Stephen Whittaker is extremely knowledgeable in his sector and offers balanced and professional advice.’
Key clients
Brazilian Consulate
Bucherer
Balderton Capital (UK) LLP
Procam Take 2 Limited
Think Publishing Limited
Total Media Group Limited
Eccord Limited
Vistex (UK) Limited
Lightship Chartering (UK) Limited
Firstlight Group Limited
Cherryz Ltd
Medical Imaging Partnership Limited
Hurley Palmer Flatt Ltd
Luk Events Limited
Magni Partners Limited
Snow Peak (London) Limited
Age UK Camden Ltd
Schleich UK Limited
RB Golf Limited
Northumberland Events Ltd
One Circle Events
IHC Limited
Work highlights
- Advised a tech company on its new office lease in Mayfair.
- Advised Schleich UK Limited on its new office lease.
- Advised Medical Imaging Partnership on subleases, new premises and lease renewals.
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market Tier 6
Regularly acting in disputes with international dimensions, Marriott Harrison LLP's recent track record includes major High Court trials. The practice of disputes head Tamar Halevy covers breach of contracts, trust-related claims, director/shareholder disputes, fraud and professional negligence; and fellow partner Jim Mackie 'deploys superb litigation and dispute resolution strategies'.Practice head(s):
Tamar Halevy
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Impressive ability to assemble a top-level and winning team.’
‘Great availability and extremely knowledgeable – we were in very safe hands (and we won our case).’
‘All the partners we worked with were very qualified and knowledgeable – very solid and experienced professionals. At all times, we were confident that they worked in our best interests as a client.’
‘Tamar Halevy’s integrity stands out – it genuinely feels like she has our interests at heart. Her personal dedication and commitment to finding the best solution to our legal issue has been incredibly reassuring.‘
‘Tamar Halevy does an outstanding job. She is a highly experienced and very bright litigator, who combines intellectual depth with an empathetic manner and highly practical approach.‘
‘Tamar Halevy is not only an exceptional technical lawyer, but also a committed and hardworking team leader who keeps abreast of every aspect of the case. She really goes the extra mile to achieve the best outcome for her clients.‘
‘We reached the limit of our capacity to finance the overall trial but Tamar Halevy was able to find a solution so we could complete the trial. This shows that the firm takes the time to understand its clients and find solutions for them to attain their goals.‘
‘Jim Mackie is not only a pleasure to work with, but an outstanding solicitor. He has deep knowledge of clients’ industries; and deploys superb litigation and dispute resolution strategies, always with clients’ commercial objectives in mind.’
Key clients
Kazakhstan Kagazy JSC
Radisson Hotel Manchester
Eric Duneau
Frederic Senegas
Work highlights
- Achieved a win for Kazakhstan Kagazy JSC in the Commercial Court, which related to a £130m dispute with Harbour litigation fund over the terms of an investment agreement.
- Achieved a win for Eric Duneau and Frederic Senegas in the Companies Court, the judgment relating to the just and equitable winding up of a listed PLC.
- Represented Radisson Hotels in a High Court dispute with its private energy supplier, Manchester Airport.
Marriott Harrison LLP > Firm Profile
Marriott Harrison is a leading legal advisory and transactional firm. It is fully focused on serving the ambitions of Europe’s most innovative businesses and market leading investors. The firm has a reputation for providing clients with exceptional service and constructive commercial insight on all of the things that matter most to them, from early-stage start-up, through periods of fast-growth and change, to maturity.
From its base in London, the firm works across all continents, manages transatlantic deal flows, and works alongside its clients on all international aspects of their business.
The firm is independent, flexible and responsive, forming multi-disciplinary teams of the brightest people, with deep specialist expertise to best fit each client mandate, much of which is transformative technology that is shaping the future.
The firm has grown organically. Its distinctive culture, personal approach and close connections with its market attract a loyal client following, experienced specialists, and a stand-out graduate training programme.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Managing Partner, Corporate | Daniel Jacob | daniel.jacob@marriottharrison.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 7209 2006 |
Head of Corporate, Private Equity | Jonathan Leigh-Hunt | jonathan.leigh-hunt@marriottharrison.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 7209 2029 |
Head of Venture Capital | David Strong | david.strong@marriottharrison.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 7209 2024 |
Head of Capital Markets | Simon Charles | simon.charles@marriottharrison.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 7209 2032 |
Head of Banking and Finance; Business Restructuring | Brett Israel | brett.israel@marriottharrison.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 7209 2007 |
Head of Commercial | Chris Mooney | chris.mooney@marriottharrison.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 7209 2030 |
Head of Tax | Katerina Heal | katerina.heal@marriottharrison.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 7209 2099 |
Head of Real Estate | Mark Lavers | mark.lavers@marriottharrison.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 7209 2013 |
Head of Dispute Resolution | Tamar Halevy | tamar.halevy@marriottharrison.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 7209 2048 |
Head of Employment | Bob Mecrate-Butcher | bob.mecrate-butcher@marriottharrison.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 7209 2017 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | David Bettis | Partner in the Corporate team at Marriott Harrison. David’s practice has a… | View Profile |
![]() | Simon Charles | Partner, with a capital markets focus, AIM and FSMA regulation, company law… | View Profile |
![]() | Ben Devons | Partner. Experienced in advising on both domestic and international corporate transactions, particularly… | View Profile |
![]() | Hugh Gardner | Hugh specialises in finance particularly debt (senior and mezzanine), private equity and… | View Profile |
![]() | Tamar Halevy | Partner, and head of the dispute resolution team at Marriott Harrison. Specialising… | View Profile |
![]() | Katerina Heal | Partner and head of Tax at Marriott Harrison. Katerina’s corporate tax practice… | View Profile |
![]() | Brett Israel | Brett has extensive experience acting for a range of insolvency practitioners, banks… | View Profile |
![]() | Daniel Jacob | Managing Partner and experienced business lawyer who deals with all aspects of… | View Profile |
![]() | Mark Lavers | Partner and Head of Property team at Marriott Harrsion. Mark’s focus is… | View Profile |
![]() | Jonathan Leigh-Hunt | Partner and Head of Corporate at Marriott Harrison with a focus on… | View Profile |
![]() | Jim Mackie | Partner. Jim has extensive experience of commercial litigation in the High Court in… | View Profile |
![]() | Bob Mecrate-Butcher | Partner and Head of the Employment team. A principal focus is advising… | View Profile |
![]() | Chris Mooney | Partner and head of the Commercial team. Chris leads a team of… | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew Ross | Partner whose practice focusses on private equity-backed transactions, cross-border mergers and acquisitions,… | View Profile |
![]() | Frances Spooner | Partner in Marriott Harrison’s Corporate team. Frances advises clients in a range… | View Profile |
![]() | David Strong | Partner and Head of Venture Capital in Marriott Harrison’s Corporate team. David… | View Profile |
![]() | Jon Sweet | Consultant specialising in all aspects of corporate finance, private equity and M&A.… | View Profile |
![]() | Stephen Whittaker | Partner with a key focus on real estate finance acting for banks… | View Profile |