Goodwin > Cambridge, England > Firm Profile

Goodwin > The Legal 500 Rankings

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Cambridge Tier 1

Goodwin's Cambridge office is a key hub for the firm-wide technology and life sciences practice, which has a prominent global profile. The firm advises private and public companies, venture capital funds and investment firms on early-stage financings, capital market transactions, M&A deals, strategic collaborations and licensing matters in this context. David Mardle, Malcolm Bates and Tim Worden are the lead partners. Adam Thatcher who was promoted to partner in October 2022 and Elizabeth Rhodes play key roles in tech in VC and M&A transaction work, namely. The team is noted as being ‘smart and responsive, with good depth of skill and experience in complex transactions'.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Biotechnology Tier 1

At Goodwin in Cambridge, ‘the team provides timely, pragmatic and and commercial advice‘ and clients note that the lawyers are ‘accessible, responsive and keen to understand our aims‘. David Mardle has broad expertise in life sciences, technology, M&A, and finance matters; commercial IP specialist Malcolm Bates, who has ‘broad and long experience' in R&D projects and collaboration agreements; and licensing and contracts expert Tim Worden are key to the practice. Worden acted as part of a multinational team to advise Biocon Biologics on its multibillion-dollar acquisition of the global biosimilars business of its partner Viatris Inc. Up-and-coming partner Elizabeth Rhodes handles corporate and venture capital matters for technology and life sciences companies.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 1

The Cambridge based team at Goodwin specialises in assisting clients with IPOs, financings, and patent strategies. The team recently assisted Engitix Therapeutics on a licence and collaboration agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. Practice co-head Malcolm Bates specialises in the commercialisation of intellectual property rights, and co-head Tim Worden regularly advises life sciences companies on licensing and partnering deals, R&D and clinical trials agreements, and a broad spectrum of regulatory matters. Counsel Talitha Shkopiak focuses on commercial agreements, and associate Georgia Powell whose work encompasses early stage contractual disputes, are also pivotal to the practice.

Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £250m) Tier 1

Drawing on its firmwide expertise in tech and healthcare, Goodwin‘s sizeable team handles a healthy volume of sponsor-side buyout work targeting the sectors, including a number of cross-border acquisitions and investment deals for both PE firms and their portfolio companies. Practice head Richard Lever maintains a wide-ranging transactional practice, most recently advising on acquisitions in the real estate and education sectors.  James Grimwood handles a range of tech and growth-oriented deals, while Carl Bradshaw‘s recent workload includes consumer goods and financial services mandates. Other key figures include London office co-chair Gemma Roberts, noted for her experience in carve-outs and growth equity investments, and Michael Miranda, recommended for his focus on transatlantic tech deals.

Corporate and commercial > Venture capital Tier 1

Although it remains a relatively new practice in the market, in a short space of time, under the assured guidance of David Mardle, Goodwin has firmly established itself as one of the leaders in the space, with a level of expertise in the tech and life sciences sectors that is a match for its more established US counterpart. Key to this rapid success story has been the firm’s hiring policy, which has cherry-picked some of the leading practitioners in the market at rival firms, as well as its holistic approach (drawing upon IP, employment and tax advice) which ensures that innovators and investors receive a joined-up service throughout the investment life cycle. Ali Ramadan has ‘exceptional start-up and biotech knowledge’, and has been integral to the firm’s success, providing ‘technically excellent advice’ to investees and investors throughout the funding cycle, including as it relates to work at the intersection of property and technology. With a core focus on impact investing, including on healthtech deals, Sophie McGrath continues to impress, as does Cambridge-based Elizabeth Rhodes and Andrew Davis, who has ‘immense gravitas for a young partner’. The investment the firm continues to make in the area is also highlighted by a number of recent internal partner promotions, including Cambridge-based practitioner Adam Thatcher, whose versatile practice includes work for investors and investees in the fintech, life sciences, healthcare and technology sectors, and Kenny Walker-Durrant, who has ‘incredible technical skills on the tech and life sciences sectors’. 

Investment fund formation and management > Real estate funds Tier 1

The real estate investment funds team at Goodwin is well placed to handle cross-border funds matters by virtue of its global network, which fields dedicated practitioners across Europe, including in the key jurisdictions of London, Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt. The group is led by Samantha Lake Coghlan and Justin Cornelius, with Coghlan advising fund managers and investors on the structuring, establishment, operation and restructuring of funds, and Cornelius being a name for unlisted closed- and open-ended real estate funds, joint ventures and M&A. David Evans acts for investment banks, family offices, hedge funds and private equity managers on UK and pan-European funds. Other key practitioners include Bhargavi Mudakavi, who was promoted to partner in October 2022, and Niall Dickson. The group was recently bolstered by the arrival of Eric Lim, Jacqueline Eaves and Andrew Henderson, who joined from Baker McKenzie, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP, and Macfarlanes LLP respectively.

Corporate and commercial > M&A: Lower Mid-Market Deals, £100m-£750m Tier 2

Goodwin is a strong choice for clients across the real estate, technology and life sciences arenas, who seek out the ‘outstanding’ team of M&A lawyers for its ‘deep sector knowledge’ and ‘global experience.’ The team frequently acts for clients on the buy and sell side in a full spectrum of transactions including divestitures, mergers and acquisitions, spinoffs, joint ventures and stock deals. The group of lawyers heading up the practice include: Graham Defries, who also co-chairs the firm’s UK life sciences team; the ‘extremely competent’ David Mardle, who offers significant experience in M&A and capital markets in relation to technology, life sciences and emerging companies; James Spence, who is a specialist in domestic and cross-border real estate M&A and investment transactions; and the ‘remarkable’ Andrew Davis, who attracts praise from large corporates and venture capital investors in the life sciences, technology and media sectors. Other key figures include Ali Ramadan, Adam Thatcher, Raymond Fang and Kenny Walker-Durrant. Venture capital, M&A and private equity practitioner, Richard Bloomfield, is also recommended.

Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 2

Goodwin regularly handles large scale fund structuring, raising and closing matters across a range of funds, including private equity, venture capital, real estate, infrastructure and debt. The practice is led by Michael Halford, who specialises in advising managers and investors on private equity and investment fund structuring. Also key are infrastructure private equity expert Ed Hall, private debt and infrastructure and energy funds specialist Shawn D’Aguiar and the fund regulation and management focused Ajay Pathak. Ravi Chopra is a key name of note within the team, and Benjamin Yeoh was promoted to partner in October 2022.

Industry focus > Hospitality and leisure Tier 3

Co-operating closely with the practice in the United States, the team at Goodwin assists clients from both the brand and operator, and debt and equity investor sides, with hotel, resort and branded residential matters. The team has a broad offering covering assistance with transactions such as acquisitions, dispositions, and financings, and also handles associated dispute resolution, tax, employment and regulatory matters. Acting for a range of stakeholders in this space and heading up the team is 'top-notch' Matthew Pohlman. Martin Smith is another key lawyer, who advises investor clients on acquisition, disposal, and management and branding of hotel and leisure assets.

Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 3

Praised for its ‘constructive and problem-solving‘ approach to issues, the team at Goodwin advises a diverse client roster, which notably includes DJS Antibodie, Novo Holdings and Ducentis BioTherapeutics. Practice co-head David Mardle primarily assists emerging companies with M&A, and co-head Graham Defries advises a number of investors, and biotech and pharmaceutical companies on venture capital exits and investments, in addition to licensing transactions. Co-head Malcolm Bates has broad knowledge surrounding collaborations, outsourcings, and R&D project transactions. Morag Peberdy acts for corporates, having a great deal of expertise in the IP aspects of IPOs and venture capital investments, in addition to IP pipeline arrangements. Kenny Walker-Durrant was promoted to partner in October 2022, and focuses on advising emerging growth companies on corporate matters.

Real estate > Commercial property: investment Tier 3

Often working in conjunction with the practice’s finance, funds, regulatory and tax teams, Goodwin is well-placed to advise clients throughout the full lifecycle of an investment transaction. Praised for his ‘exceptional knowledge’, practice co-leader Martin Smith acts on asset and corporate SPV mandate, while team co-head James Spence is a key contact for a plethora of stakeholders, and David Evans is noted for his expertise in fund restructuring. Simon Woodcock, who advises on real estate M&A, as well as asset management agreements, is another key contact in the group.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 4

Goodwin‘s rapidly growing team is noted for its strength in the tax elements of M&A transactions, and fund structuring. Team lead Laura Charkin specialises in funds taxation, and is a leading name in matters related to REITs. David Irvine, who has expertise in structuring and restructuring transactions, and Dulcie Daly, whose focus is private equity, joined the team from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in 2021. Katie Leah‘s practice includes real estate and private equity transactions, while Charlotte Haywood handles the structuring of European based private funds.

Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£250m+) Tier 4

The team at Goodwin in London acts for a range of clients – both sponsor and management-side – on a steady flow of high-value transactions, particularly in the healthcare, life sciences, tech, and infrastructure sectors. Practice head Richard Lever – experienced in both domestic and multijurisdictional matters – in an active adviser whose recent highlights include a number of portfolio company deals. Carl Bradshaw regularly handles all manner of deals across European markets, while London office co-chair Gemma Roberts is particularly noted for her experience in cross-border carve-outs. Christian Iwasko and James Grimwood are also recommended for their broad transactional acumen.

Real estate > Property finance Tier 4

Paul Lyons leads Goodwin‘s real estate practice, and is known for his significant experience in advising both borrowers and lenders on leveraged finance, debt finance and debt originations. Fellow senior partner Richard Semple remains active in domestic and pan-European acquisitions of portfolios of loans. Counsel Toby Young represents sponsors on borrower mandates and as lender counsel for the deployment of real estate focussed debt funds.

Finance > Acquisition finance Tier 5

Focusing on acquisitions in firmwide core industry sectors, including tech, life sciences and property, Goodwin continues to actively advise on behalf of a growing roster of private equity funds, which are appreciative of the firm's expertise advising on debt financing techniques throughout the capital structure. Simon Fulbrook and Hugh O’Sullivan co-head the team.

Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 5

The ‘innovative and ambitious’ team at Goodwin continues to gain market traction among funds and IPs, in particular, which are appreciative of the team’s versatility across restructuring and formal insolvency work, as well as its ability to draw from other core firmwide sector strengths, including tech and life sciences. Simon Thomas is ‘very innovative’ and has been key to the firm’s success since establishing a UK offering in 2019, not only due to his transactional and technical expertise but also his ability to leverage the firm’s US credentials to good effect on cross-border mandates. The principal author of the market leading textbook on UK restructuring tools, Geoff O’Dea‘s ‘depth of knowledge in UK restructuring techniques is unsurpassed’, and he complements his co-head Thomas’ more cross-border focused offering. Counsel Tony Horspool  is also a ‘highly experienced and very capable’ member of the team by dint of his work for private equity firms on special situations and restructurings.

Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity Tier 5

Jointly led by Lore Leitner and Gretchen Scott, the data, privacy, and cybersecurity practice at Goodwin has a full-service offering with particular strength advising clients in the emerging tech, software, and healthcare and life sciences sectors. The team also includes ‘highly knowledgeable’ counsel Curtis McCluskey and senior associate Josephine Jay, recommended for her data compliance and GDPR expertise.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Fintech Tier 5

Goodwin‘s fintech offering draws on wider expertise in venture capital, financial services regulation and tax matters. The team also has a key strategic focus on supporting entrepreneurs and early-stage fintech companies.  The practice is jointly run by three partners; Andrew Davis, who specialises in corporate transactions; Andrew Henderson, an authority on financial services regulation who joined from Macfarlanes LLP in June 2022; and Ali Ramadan, a key contact for venture capital and private equity transactions. Glynn Barwick‘s regulatory expertise extends to EU and UK competition and merger control issues. Emerging growth companies frequently turn to Adam Thatcher for corporate advice, while James Taylor leverages his expertise in intellectual property matters to assist clients in the fintech space. Arvin Abraham, a former bank COO and an expert in fintech investments, joined from McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP in July 2023.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium Tier 6

Goodwin has a ‘dynamic and growing litigation team‘ with vast expertise across the private equity, funds, venture capital, and financial service industries. The practice was launched in April 2020 with the arrival of ‘first class litigator‘ Oliver Glynn-Jones from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, who works across corporate and financial litigation. The bench strength of the team continues to expand, with the firm adding Sarah McAtominey from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in early 2023.

Corporate and commercial > EU and competition

Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory

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

Employment > Employers

Investment fund formation and management > Fund finance

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

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

Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail