Cooley (UK) LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Cooley (UK) LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Corporate and commercial > Venture capital Tier 2

No longer overshadowed by its more well-established US offering, Cooley (UK) LLP provides a compelling offering to clients forming, scaling and investing in high-growth often disruptive companies through a company’s life cycle. As well as its transactional prowess, which includes a considerable amount of transatlantic work, the ‘hard working and pragmatic team contributes to thought leadership in the sector’, including its continued involvement for the BVCA on revisions on Series A funding round model documents. ‘An incredibly experienced high-growth company advisor‘, US-qualified team head Ryan Naftulin  has ‘unparalleled understanding of UK and US venture’.  Aaron Archer  is ‘a real powerhouse’ and ‘always keeps the commercial interests of all parties top of mind’. 

Dispute resolution > Public international law Tier 2

Cooley (UK) LLP‘s London team acts across a broad spectrum of PIL matters. Its coverage ranges from investment treaty and international trade disputes, to providing Law of the Sea advice to coastal states. The group also assists with state responsibility issues, and has longstanding expertise in international asset recovery work. The PIL practice of London disputes head James Maton incorporates both investor-state arbitrations and treaty disputes; Laurence Harris is an expert in advising clients on their government asset recovery programmes; and Henry Stewart's PIL workload includes anti-corruption matters. The 'absolutely superb' John Brown is a renowned consultant on Law of the Sea matters, who advises on maritime boundary delimitation issues, as well as freedom of navigation issues at geo-political levels; and associate Juan Nascimbene routinely acts in major PIL-related disputes.

Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 2

The team at Cooley (UK) LLP is known for its ‘deep industry knowledge‘ and ‘unparalleled experience‘ in matters concerning clinical trials and manufacturing issues, and acts for a number of notable clients, including Hummingbird, Athenex, and Biograil. Nicola Maguire jointly leads the practice with John Wilkinson; Maguire assists a number of large bioscience and pharmaceutical companies with M&A and equity funding, while Wilkinson advises medtech companies on research collaborations and the purchase of vaccines. Frances Stocks Allen has broad expertise in acting for both public and private companies on supply arrangements, co-promotional issues and collaboration agreements.

Insurance > Product liability: defendant Tier 2

Cooley (UK) LLP assists clients across the full product lifecycle encompassing product liability litigation, B2B disputes, product safety and regulatory compliance issues. The practice also advises on investigations, product recalls and compliance issues with expertise in the life sciences and technology sectors. Rod Freeman leads the team with experience in disputes work and policy interventions. Sascha Grimm is well-versed in crisis management issues, litigation and regulatory investigations.

Corporate and commercial > Equity capital markets – mid-large cap Tier 3

Cooley (UK) LLP‘s ‘strong and very approachable’ team is praised for its ‘unique combination of US law expertise paired with extensive knowledge of the European capital markets’, particularly in cross-border mandates. The team works on a wide range of ECM transactions, representing issuers, investment banks and investors on IPOs and secondary offerings, with a growing focus on founder-led and VC-backed companies in the technology and life sciences sectors. Claire Keast-Butler and David Boles jointly head up the team: Keast-Butler represents issuers, investment banks and investors on capital markets and securities regulation matters, while Boles is praised as ‘an outstanding capital markets lawyer with deep commitment to clients, who always goes the extra mile.’

Corporate and commercial > M&A: Lower Mid-Market Deals, £100m-£750m Tier 3

Led by the highly experienced Stephen Rosen, the ‘knowledgeable, intelligent’ team at Cooley (UK) LLP is well-versed in all manner of transactions, working with buyers, sellers, shareholders, financial advisers and private equity funds. The practice regularly handles cross-border matters in the technology and life sciences sectors, and is noted for its expertise in the startup and venture capital space. Ben Shribman specialises in advising venture capital backed clients in a range of transactions, while managing partner Justin Stock, and senior partner David Bresnick are further key names to note. Life sciences expert Simon Amies joined the team in May 2023 from Covington & Burling LLP, strengthening the team’s sector-specific offering in M&A, IPOs, capital raisings and venture and growth capital investments. Michal Berkner  has left the firm.

Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £250m) Tier 3

Noted for its strong focus on mid-market tech sector deals, Cooley (UK) LLP works with a litany of high-profile management teams on all manner of transactions. Practice head Stephen Rosen works with a range of VC-funded growth-companies and life sciences investors, with recent highlights including multi-million-pound cross-border acquisitions. Ben Shribman, a specialist in PE and growth capital fundraisings, is also recommended. Michal Berkner has left the firm.

Employment > Employee share schemes Tier 3

Praised by clients for the ability to ‘cover a wide range of countries and situations’, Cooley (UK) LLP frequently advises on the employee schemes aspects of large M&A transactions, and establishes new share plans for tech and life science companies. Additionally, the team frequently advises the boards of public and private companies on directors’ pay and hirings. Practice head Paula Holland sports extensive transactional expertise extending to UK and US IPOs. Nicola Squire, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, has longstanding experience in advising clients on private equity transactions and M&A. Bethan Chalmers has deep knowledge of share-based and cash-based incentive arrangements for employees and executives. Jia Xie is a key name to note.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 3

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals) Tier 4

Counting business owners, high-net-worth individuals, and c-suite executives amongst its key clients, Cooley (UK) LLP’s white-collar defence and investigations team is praised for its advice in global SFO corruption cases and complex tax evasion proceedings. With ‘worldwide resources and expertise’, the practice is renowned for its work across the natural resources, aviation, and finance sectors. Practice head Tom Epps demonstrates ‘consummate skill’ in fraud and corruption cases, while Sascha Grimm is noted for her expertise in asset recovery and privacy compliance issues. Ben Sharrock and Monica Mylordou are also highly regarded.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Fintech Tier 4

Embedded in data privacy and cybersecurity matters, Cooley (UK) LLP is a key port of call for various fintech companies, investment firms, and payment service providers, who turn to the team for its capabilities in areas such as intellectual property protection, outsourcing requirements and capital raisings. Practice chair Guadalupe Sampedro is well placed to advise on complex regulatory matters in the payments and financial services space. Chris Coulter is noted for his in-depth knowledge of intellectual property transactions, while Yulia Makarova frequently advises on regulatory approvals for venture capital.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 5

Cooley (UK) LLP's highly international tax team is extremely active in complex M&A transactions, and provides key expertise in cross-border capital markets and private equity matters. Department head Natasha Kaye's practice covers both advisory and transactional matters, and has private equity as a key focus. David Wilson advises on M&A, debt financing, and reorganisations. Associate Jack Jones is a name to note.

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: civil Tier 5

Cooley (UK) LLP's London asset recovery team advises a wide range of private and public entities across a variety of sectors and jurisdictions, with work spread as far afield as the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa. Headed by UK disputes head James Maton, the team's work encompasses insurance, corruption, and debt recovery, amongst others. Other integral team members include Laurence Harris, business litigator Henry Stewart and Sascha Grimm, who leads the firm’s crisis management team.

Insurance > Insurance and reinsurance litigation Tier 5

Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity Tier 5

Cooley (UK) LLP has a full-service cyber, data, and privacy offering with strength in cross-border projects, GDPR compliance, and multijurisdictional data breaches. Guadalupe Sampedro helms the practice and advises clients in the fintech and financial services sectors, while the ‘very knowledgeable‘ Ann Bevitt handles data transfers, breach notifications, and internal investigations.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium Tier 6

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 6

Cooley (UK) LLP‘s London team is routinely mandated for matters involving oil and gas exploration work, licensing rights in the Middle East, technology licensing, and disputes involving life sciences sector clients. It is additionally sought out by blue-chip insurers and reinsurers from the UK, US, Bermuda, and continental Europe to assist with disputes. Henry Stewart acts in high-value arbitrations for life sciences companies, while James Maton is UK disputes head. Laurence Harris also has notable international arbitration experience.

Corporate and commercial > EU and competition Tier 7

The 'highly skilled' competition group at Cooley (UK) LLP is well-placed to advise its clients on a range of matters, including merger control, commercial agreements, abuse of dominance and agency investigations. Work in the tech and life sciences sectors forms the cornerstone of the practice, cementing its reputation as a go-to firm for industry giants. Spearheading the team is the 'very experienced' Caroline Hobson who is praised for her ability to provide 'sound, pragmatic and business-oriented advice.' Associate Anna Caro advises clients on the full spectrum of competition law matters, with a particular focus on the tech and healthcare industries.

Employment > Employers Tier 7

Cooley (UK) LLP's London practice head Ann Bevitt assists clients with the employment aspects of establishing operations in the UK, as well as advising on risk management and defending tribunal claims including age discrimination and unfair dismissal cases. Nicola Squire and Chris Stack are further names to note. The US-headquartered firm specialises in acting for clients in the tech and fintech space and has a longstanding reputation for its work in these markets.

Industry focus > TMT

Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates)