David Ferris > Osborne Clarke LLP > Bristol, England > Lawyer Profile

Osborne Clarke LLP‘s ‘knowledge and experience of work on both sides of the table informs an empathetic and collaborative approach‘ to project development and financing work across a range of sectors on a UK-wide level and internationally. Chris Wade oversees the offering from the projects side, while Matthew Lewis is the key senior contact on the energy front. Corporate specialist David Ferris also regularly takes a leading role, particularly in mandates relating to Smart City developments. In addition to advising on established renewable technologies, the firm is increasingly involved with matters relating to flexible transition technologies.

Highly regarded for its ‘technical expertise combined with strong commercial awareness’, Osborne Clarke LLP regularly works on big-ticket, cross-border transactions, notably within the tech, financial services, and energy sectors. Particularly well-versed in renewable energy and cleantech deals, practice head David Ferris handles acquisitions and divestitures for a host of tech sector companies. Private equity chair Alisdair Livingstone is a key port of call for a number of mid-market PE houses seeking assistance on multi-jurisdictional deals – particularly with a strong transatlantic aspect. Mark Wesker anchors the team’s financial services and fintech sector offering, while Sarah Knight’s corporate expertise is concentrated in the infrastructure sector. Damocles Merry – who was promoted to partner in May 2022 – is noted for his focus on aerospace matters. James Taylor specialises in VC and PE-driven technology work.

The London hub at Osborne Clarke LLP is helmed by the Bristol-based David Ferris and Simon Smith, who leads the media group and offers significant experience in M&A, restructuring and private equity transactions for management teams, corporates, and banks. the team’s recent workload includes acquisitions and sales of businesses in the healthcare, automotive retail, and energy space. The team also has a strong offering for clients in the marketing and real estate industries. Other key lawyers include M&A and venture capital expert Mathias Loertscher, who particularly focuses on the technology sector, and Edward Persse, who focuses on M&A and investments in a range of sectors. The team has been bolstered by the arrival of Matt Lewy from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in September 2022, whose work is concentrated in the energy and infrastructure sector. Other new arrivals include the new head of corporate reorganisation and simplification Tom Lewis, who joined from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in November 2022. Former practice head Mark Spinner has left the firm.