Elizabeth Rhodes > Goodwin > Cambridge, England > Lawyer Profile

The Cambridge office of Goodwin is an important centre of excellence in the firm’s international network, and it handles high-value M&A and investment transactions for companies in the technology and life sciences sectors. ‘The team is well respected in the market and has extensive knowledge of VC, which means they deliver an excellent product and deal experience‘, remarks one client. Lead partners David Mardle, Malcolm Bates and Tim Worden are acknowledged experts in licensing, M&A, IP commercialisation, financing and regulatory matters. Up-and-coming partners Adam Thatcher and Elizabeth Rhodes  also play key roles in VC and M&A transactions. Thatcher recently assisted shareholders of cloud email security platform Tessian Limited with its acquisition by Proofpoint Inc.

The Cambridge office of Goodwin has a specialist technology and life sciences team that is ‘very engaged, pragmatic and creative, and so able to solve more complex issues‘.  It is part of a global practice that acts for biotechnology companies across the entire corporate lifecycle, as well as advising major venture capital and investment firms. The key practitioners are David Mardle , who has extensive experience in M&A and capital markets; commercial IP specialist Malcolm Bates, who is a key adviser to pioneering small activating RNA (RNAa) therapeutics company MiNA Therapeutics; and contracts expert Tim Worden , who handles licensing and partnering deals, R&D agreements, clinical trials agreements and distribution agreements. Up-and-coming partner Elizabeth Rhodes is also highly recommended.

Representing a host of start-ups, emerging growth companies, and late-stage mature corporates, the Goodwin team leverages its ‘strong market knowledge’ to advise on high-value fundraisings and seed rounds. The practice boasts in-depth expertise across healthcare, AI, and environmental matters, often working closely with the firm’s private equity division to support clients in growth equity transactions and complex exits. The team is chaired by David Mardle, an expert in capital markets transactions. Sophie McGrath utilises her ‘vast dealmaking experience’ in private and public financings. Both Andrew Davis and Andrew Harrow primarily focus on joint ventures and growth capital financings. Based in Cambridge, Elizabeth Rhodes and Adam Thatcher are noted for their M&A expertise. Other key figures include Kenny Walker-Durrant, who regularly acts for venture capital investors, as well as Richard Bloomfield and Ella Donegan. Ali Ramadan left to join Cooley (UK) LLP in September 2024.