Robert Wood > Osborne Clarke LLP > Reading, England > Lawyer Profile

Thames Valley powerhouse Osborne Clarke LLP enjoys a market leading reputation for its ability to handle the full suite of corporate matters, especially those with a cross-border element, and possesses particular expertise in M&A, private equity and venture capital across a range of industry sectors. Corporate team leader Sara Valentine is a specialist in the tech sector, and advises on complex restructurings and cross-border M&A transactions. Pre-eminent Thames Valley practitioner Greg Leyshon acts as national head of corporate and overall head of business transactions. Robert Wood is also renowned, coming highly recommended as ‘the ultimate deal leader’. Mike Freer heads up the firm’s specialist management advisory group and is the go-to lawyer for advising management teams in relation to buy-outs, buy-ins, equity release deals and their subsequent exits.

The ‘highly responsive‘ team at Osborne Clarke LLP provides a ‘very efficient, pragmatic and cost-effective service’ to investors and investees seeking or providing financing at an early through to late stage of the investment cycle. Its longstanding presence in the market, particularly as it relates to technology and life science spin-outs, scale-ups and exits, ensures that it is able to provide ‘an excellent balance between legal and commercial expertise’, while its international footprint enables the team to excel in multi-jurisdictional mandates. ‘Intelligent’ Reading-based team head Robert Wood deploys ‘great organisational and legal skills’ to good effect for funds and companies, particularly on later stage mandates often involving investor syndicates. Leveraging his broader corporate/M&A capabilities to good effect, London-based Mathias Loertscher is a popular choice among tech-focused companies on Seed and Series A financing, as well as on investment later in the growth curve – to include advise to shareholders on exit strategies. The ‘brilliant’ Rob Hayes displays a ‘very calm’ demeanour with a particular focus and expertise in working with high growth businesses and institutional investors in the technology and life sciences sectors. Justin Starling has a strong grounding in the life sciences and healthcare sector, utilising this very capably on pure venture capital deals, as well as for university spin-outs seeking to commercialise their innovations. ‘Superstar’ associate director Elizabeth Yell  continues to gain market traction and is a firm favourite for both institutional investors and venture-backed companies as a result of her ‘incredible eye for detail whilst having the skills to drive and manage everything’. All partners are based in Reading, unless otherwise indicated.