David Mardle > 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.

Biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies as well as leading venture capital and investment firms turn to Goodwin for assistance with work spanning early stage financings, capital markets, M&A, dispute resolution and licensing transactions. Four partners lead the team: David Mardle, who divides his time between Cambridge and London, has a focus on assisting emerging companies with corporate and capital markets transactions. Graham Defries is a key contact for private equity and venture capital investments and exits. Sophie McGrath‘s corporate practice encompasses private and public financings, public offerings, and restructurings. Arvin Abraham, completing the leadership team, is frequently sought out by private equity sponsors for transactional assistance. Malcolm Bates‘ wide-ranging practice spans outsourcing and R&D projects, M&A transactions and IPOs.

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.

Goodwin‘s M&A practice has a strong corporate offering and cross-border capabilities which continues to attract new clients, particularly from the life sciences and technology sectors. The team is jointly led by life sciences expert Graham Defries; technology and life sciences authorities David Mardle and Andrew Davis; and real estate specialist James Spence. Defries has extensive experience advising biotech and pharmaceutical companies on private equity and venture capital investments and exits, as well as M&A, corporate financing, and licensing deals – both domestic and cross-border in nature. Davis is praised for his ‘business acumen, attention to detail, and common sense‘, while Spence’s real estate-focused practice encompasses investments in Europe, structured sales and acquisitions, and real estate funds work. Andrew Harrow concentrates on UK and international transactions including joint ventures, M&A, reorganisations, IPOs, and fundraising. Other key names in the team include Adam Thatcher, Lucy Thomas, and Richard Bloomfield.