Goodwin > London, England > Firm Profile
Goodwin Offices

100 CHEAPSIDE
LONDON
EC2V 6DY
England
- Go to...
- Rankings
- Firm Profile
- Main Contacts
- Student
Goodwin > The Legal 500 Rankings
Investment fund formation and management > Real estate funds Tier 1
Goodwin is highly active in the private equity real estate arena, with it raising a number of funds on behalf of top institutional fund managers such as NREP and Ares. Its team’s expertise includes high-value core, value-add and opportunistic funds investing across the full range of real estate assets, with heavy involvement from European and US investors. The group’s multijurisdictional regulatory and tax expertise is also notable. Samantha Lake Coghlan, who remains prolific in fund formations for the firm’s longstanding clients, co-heads the practice with Justin Cornelius, who has further developed the team’s client portfolio since his arrival from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP in mid-2020. David Evans specialises in pan-European fund structuring and investments, while another senior associate to note is Bhargavi Mudakavi, who advises sponsors and investors on private equity and debt real estate fund formations and joint ventures.Practice head(s):
Samantha Lake Coghlan; Justin Cornelius
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The firm has a deep knowledge of fund structuring and so can bring a helpful insight to trends and market norms in this area.‘
‘We have a huge amount of confidence in Justin and he has supported us and delivered for us consistently for over a decade.‘
‘Highly competent team with deep legal knowledge and good commercial understanding.‘
‘Samantha Lake Coghlan is also a excellent, competent and commercial and balanced negotiator and is legal technical superior to other counsels.‘
Key clients
NREP
Patron
Frogmore
Kennedy Wilson
Slate Asset Management
Cromwell Property
Ares Management
BentallGreenOak
Nuveen
Clearbell Capital
Work highlights
- Advised pan-Nordic real estate investment manager NREP on the establishment of its multi-strategy real estate fund, NSF IV, which has raised €1.9bn.
- Advising Frogmore on the formation and fundraising of Frogmore Real Estate Partners IV, L.P. their fourth value-add and opportunistic fund targeting investments in the UK.
- Advised specialist student accommodation operator Generation Partners on the formation of a programmatic joint venture with the Ares-managed Ares European Property Enhancement Partners III fund.
Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Cambridge Tier 1
Goodwin has established a firm foothold in the Cambridge market since hiring a vastly experienced team from Taylor Wessing LLP in early 2020. The firm has a globally recognised technology and life sciences practice that advises private and public companies, both high-growth and well established, on major corporate transactions, fundraising and commercial licensing matters. Licensing and regulatory partner Tim Worden, equity financing expert David Mardle and IP commercialisation specialist Malcolm Bates are all highly regarded. Senior associate Adam Thatcher and counsel Elizabeth Rhodes are both recommended for advice on venture capital and M&A transactions in the technology and life sciences sectors.Practice head(s):
Malcolm Bates; David Mardle; Tim Worden
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Moderna
Evox Therapeutics
Kymab
HungryPanda
StreetBees
YASA
Refeyn
OSI
CIC
Tropic Biosciences
Index Ventures
MiNA Therapeutics
Avacta Group
Kymab
Work highlights
- Advised Evox Therapeutics Ltd on a £69.2m Series C fundraising.
- Advised HungryPanda Ltd on its $70m Series C funding round.
- Advised Engitix Limited on a licence and collaboration Agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Biotechnology Tier 1
US firm Goodwin opened a Cambridge office in 2019, bringing the strength of a global life sciences practice to the region's innovation hub. The firm acts for private and public companies in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industries, as well as for the leading life science venture capital and investment firms who invest in them, and in 2020 its market-leading work included advising Moderna on its proprietary mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine. Established local partners Malcolm Bates, David Mardle and Tim Worden, formerly of Taylor Wessing LLP's Cambridge office, are ably supported by counsel Elizabeth Rhodes and associate Talitha Shkopiak.
Practice head(s):
Malcolm Bates; David Mardle; Tim Worden
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Moderna
Oxford Biomedica plc
Bone Therapeutics
Avacta Group plc
MiNA Therapeutics
Cycle Pharmaceuticals
Engitix
Evox Therapeutics
Kymab
Folium Food Science
Work highlights
- Advised Moderna in connection with its proprietary mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine. In October 2020, Moderna reached an agreement with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan and Takeda Pharmaceutical to purchase and distribute 50 million doses of mRNA-1273, Moderna’s vaccine candidate against COVID-19.
- Advised Evox Therapeutics Ltd on its £69.2m Series C fundraising led by Redmile Group who were joined by new investors OrbiMed and Invus.
- Advised Kymab on its agreement under which Sanofi will acquire Kymab for an upfront payment of approximately $1.1 billion and up to $350 million upon achievement of certain milestones.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 1
US firm Goodwin set up in Cambridge in 2020 with a series of eye-catching hires; the team now provides both domestic and international clients with a full suite of services, among which the development, protection and enforcement of IP portfolios is a prime focus. Since joining from Taylor Wessing LLP, Malcolm Bates and Tim Worden have built a strong presence for the firm in the life sciences IP market, with work for prestigious clients on licensing matters, commercialisation, patent strategy and IP due diligence in financings, acquisitions, IPOs and collaborations. Associate Georgia Powell handles non-contentious IP and commercial matters, with a focus on the life sciences, technology and healthcare sectors.
Practice head(s):
Malcolm Bates; Tim Worden
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
MiNA Therapeutics
Cycle Pharmaceuticals
Engitix
Wren Therapeutics
Moderna
Avacta Group plc
Imperial College Innovations
SpyBiotech
Oxford Biomedica plc
Bone Therapeutics
Work highlights
- Advised MiNA Therapeutics Limited on its collaboration and license partnership with Les Laboratoires Servier, relating to the identification, development and commercialisation of small activating RNA therapies for the treatment of neurological disorders.
- Advised Engitix Limited on its new Licence and Collaboration Agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd to develop anti-fibrotic therapies in advanced liver diseases.
- Advised Oxford Biomedica on its development, manufacture and licence agreement with Beam Therapeutics.
Corporate and commercial > M&A: lower mid-market deals, £50m-£500m Tier 2
A remarkable year for the life sciences and technology sector has seen the team at Goodwin acting on a myriad of high-value transactions that play squarely to its sector strengths. The team is jointly led by Europe chair David Evans and the highly experienced life sciences specialist Graham Defries. Splitting his time between London and Cambridge, Andrew Harrow routinely leads on UK and cross-border deals for biopharma and technology clients. Andrew Davis is a further key figure for tech and life sciences clients. Real estate specialist James Spence is another key name; fellow real estate specialist Joe Conder left for Mayer Brown International LLP in spring 2021.
Practice head(s):
David Evans; Graham Defries
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A leading law firm for life sciences M&A.’
‘Andrew Harrow and Graham Defries are known well by big pharma.’
Key clients
Medical Properties Trust
Kennedy Wilson
BentallGreenOak
Partners Group
Rimilia
KaNDy Therapeutics
Kymab
Enterprise Therapeutics Ltd
Inflazome
Symprove
Work highlights
- Advised Medical Properties Trust on the acquisition of a portfolio of select behavioural facilities from The Priory Group.
- Advised Kymab on its agreement to be acquired by Sanofi.
- Advised KaNDy Therapeutics and connected shareholders with sale to Bayer.
Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £250m) Tier 2
Goodwin‘s City private equity team is reaping the benefits of significant expansion in recent years. The firm added a team from Sidley Austin LLP led by Christian Iwasko and Erik Dahl in September 2020, having already recruited James Grimwood, who previously led the private equity team at CMS, earlier on that year. It has extensive experience acting for buyout houses, porfolio companies and family offices in acquisitions and investments, as well as regularly advising management teams. The team is led by Richard Lever, with Gemma Roberts another key partner name to note.
Practice head(s):
Richard Lever
Other key lawyers:
James Grimwood; Erik Dahl; Christian Iwasko; Gemma Roberts; Sava Savov; Carl Bradshaw; Michael Miranda; Michelle Tong; John Van de North
Testimonials
‘Good market intelligence, diverse teams, commercial and pragmatic.’
Key clients
ECI Partners
Inflexion
JMI Equity
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
LionRock Capital
LDCYMayfair Equity Partners
Partners Group
TA Associates
TowerBrook Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Advised CoreHR and its shareholders, including longstanding firm clients JMI Equity and JMIServices, in connection with the sale of the entire issued share capital of Core Bidco Limited.
- Advised LionRock Capital Partners on its acquisition of a majority stake in Clarks, in connection with a £100 million equity investment.
- Advised Partners Group on the acquisition of substantially all of the business and assets of UK high street restaurant chain, Côte Restaurants, by way of a pre-pack administration sale.
Corporate and commercial > Venture capital Tier 2
With a ‘real commitment by the firm to UK venture‘, as a result of numerous high-profile hires in recent years, the team at Goodwin has made a sizeable impact in the market for both investors and investees, which leverage its ability to provide ‘commercially strong and business-focused advice’. While the practice has also been active on purely domestic mandates throughout the funding lifecycle, it has been particularly effective in leveraging the firm’s strong US heritage. The ‘sharp and personable‘ Ali Ramadan is ‘able to cut through the noise to give pertinent advice’ to start-ups, high-growth companies and investors, including in the proptech space. ‘Excellent’ Cambridge-based associate Adam Thatcher is also recommended as a result of his balanced company and investor side practice across the technology, healthcare and life sciences sectors. David Mardle leads the practice. Sophie McGrath is well regarded for her ‘unbeatable knowledge and experience‘ in the life sciences and technology industries.’Practice head(s):
David Mardle
Other key lawyers:
Sophie McGrath; Ali Ramadan; Andrew Davis; Elizabeth Rhodes; Adam Thatcher
Testimonials
‘Goodwin has been exceptional to work with. They seem genuinely interested in forming deep relationships and I have felt supported throughout my journey to date.’
‘Very flexible in service provision – for example, tailoring an offer of support for a business that could afford very little by way of legal fees in order to provide valuable advice within the available budget.’
‘A very experienced practice following recent hires – a real commitment by the firm to UK venture capital.’
‘Commercially strong, flexible and business-focused.’
‘Sophie McGrath is one of the best VC lawyers in the market. She has unbeatable knowledge and experience, especially in the life sciences and technology industries.’
‘Ali Ramadan is sharp, personable and able to cut through the noise to give pertinent advice.’
Key clients
Hopin
Centessa
Hungry Panda
Achilles Therapeutics
Octopus Ventures
Wintermute Ltd
Streebees.com Limited
Cleo
Novo Holdings
Sprout.ai
Index Ventures
Y Combinator
Lightspeed Venture Partners
Omnipresent
Balderton
BTOV
Cinovic
Lauxera Capital Partners
Amadeus Capital Partners
Morningside Technology,
Samsung Ventures Investment Corporation
Crane Venture Partners
DST Global
Zetta Ventures Partners
Be Tomorrow Ventures
Brylyt Limited
Hoxton Farms
LabGenius
Manifesto Ventures
Trussle Labs
Work highlights
- Advised Hopin on its $400m Series C funding co-led by new investors Andreessen Horowitz and General Catalyst, and existing investor IVP, with participation from returning investors Coatue, DFJ Growth, Northzone, Salesforce Ventures and Tiger Global.
- Advised Achilles Therapeutics Limited on its £52.7m oversubscribed Series C funding round.
- Advised Novo Holdings A/S on its $40m lead investment, as part of a $60m Series C funding round, into Exscientia Limited, with participation from Evotec AG, Celgene Corporation and GT Healthcare Partners Fund.
Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 2
Goodwin‘s broad funds practice encompasses mid-market and bulge bracket private equity fundraising, infrastructure and debt fund expertise, and an active secondaries offering. The London team is integrated with its US and Luxembourg offices, allowing it to handle complex cross-border mandates. Practice head Michael Halford advises major private equity clients on fund structuring and operations, with a particular focus on GP-led restructurings, while Ed Hall advises on fundraisings, co-investments, and fund of fund arrangements for a combination of private equity and infrastructure funds. Ravi Chopra co-leads the firm’s secondaries practice, with Ajay Pathak noted for his work on regulatory issues and spin-outs, and Shawn D’Aguiar handling innovative social impact, emerging markets, and sharia-compliant work. Counsel Benjamin Yeoh advises on fund formation, structuring, and investment matters.Practice head(s):
Michael Halford
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They are one of the most reliable teams in the City. If you want something done no matter what the subject matter then go to Goodwin and you can rely on them.‘
‘Ed Hall is a standout fund formation lawyer in London who has the right combination of technical capabilities and practical commercial application.’
Key clients
Abingworth
Antin Infrastructure
Bregal Investments
Endless
Glennmont Partners
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG)
Investcorp
LGT
Macquarie
Patron Capital
Work highlights
- Advised longstanding client Bregal on the structuring and fundraising of Bregal Unternehmerkapital III.
- Advising Macquarie Green Investment Group on the structuring and fundraising of its latest fund, Macquarie GIG Renewable Energy Fund 2, which raised €1.635bn.
Industry focus > Hospitality and leisure Tier 3
Goodwin's fast-growing leisure and hospitality practice acts for a roster of clients including equity and debt investors, alternative lenders and high-net-worth individuals, as well as major global brands and hotel and resort owners/operators. In addition to the team's well-established financing, management, branding and development expertise, it has expanded into dispute resolution, financial restructuring and technology licensing work for clients in the sector. Real estate partner and sector lead Matthew Pohlman advises on the acquisition, disposition and financing of hospitality assets. With close links to the firm's US practice, the London team offers good global transactional insight.
Practice head(s):
Matthew Pohlman
Testimonials
‘Goodwin understands the hospitality industry from the perspective of the hotel and resort brands. Their industry knowledge cannot be beaten.’
‘Matt Pohlman is incredibly experienced and is the “go to” lawyer in London for knowledge of and legal service to the industry.’
Key clients
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Marriott International
Hyatt Hotels
Oaktree Capital Management
RoundShield Partners LLP
Meadow Partners
Leeu Collection
Cairn Hotel Group
Masterworks Development Corporation (a/k/a Club Quarters)
Away Resorts
Avington Financial
Deliveroo
Work highlights
- Advised Away Resorts on the purchase of the property and business of the St Ives Bay Holiday Park
- Advised Four Seasons on the negotiation of hotel development, management and brand license agreements for a new resort in Mallorca, Spain.
- Advised Four Seasons on the negotiation of hotel development, management and brand license agreements for a new resort in Puglia, Italy.
Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 3
Goodwin is recommended for its work with emerging life sciences companies and with venture capital and investment firms, handling early stage financings, M&A, strategic collaborations and licensing transactions. IPOs and fundraisings for listed and private companies are an area of particular strength, as are complex biotech deals, with the practice having significant experience of international mandates. Graham Defries advises a range of biotech companies, pharmaceutical companies and investors. He jointly chairs the team with venture capital expert David Mardle and IP and licensing expert Malcolm Bates.
Practice head(s):
Graham Defries; Malcolm Bates; David Mardle
Testimonials
‘A highly experienced team with a great understanding of the IP, commercial and technical issues faced by a medium-sized company in operating in the biotech/life sciences sector. We have also received very clear and helpful advice in relation to a couple of contentious issues arising from agreements.’
‘The individuals are very high calibre and experienced. Importantly, they are also a pleasure to work with and flag and manage risks and issues with great initiative and skill.’
‘David Mardle understands our business. Not just immediate needs he also has an eye on the future and where we need to be.’
‘Malcolm Bates has considerable experience in our field and this helps with formulating agreements, especially with larger pharma companies where we might otherwise feel overpowered.’
‘Breadth and depth of knowledge and responsiveness.’
‘Very smart people with plenty of experience, great attention to detail but who are also very easy to work with. They also keep the features and complexities of our specific business in mind.’
‘The people within the firm across different departments are leaders in their fields and truly seem to act as a single team with the client’s interests central to all actions.’
Key clients
Moderna
Kymab
Centessa Pharmaceuticals Limited
KaNDy Therapeutics
Inflazome
Zesty
Dotmatics
Enterprise Therapeutics
Compass Pathways
Achilles Therapeutics
Vaccitech
Novo Holdings A/S
Freeline Therapeutics
UltraHuman
Evonetix
Forbion
Advent Life Sciences
Medicxi
JEITO
Lauxera Capital Partners
Avacta Life Sciences
Bone Therapeutics SA
Calliditas Therapeutics AB
CMR Surgical
Northsea Therapeutics
Oxford Biomedica plc
MiroBio
MiNA Therapeutics
Synthace
Work highlights
- Advised Kymab, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing fully human monoclonal antibodies with a focus on immune-mediated diseases and immuno-oncology therapeutics, on its sale to Sanofi for an upfront payment of approximately $1.1 billion and up to $350 million upon achievement of certain milestones.
- Advised Centessa Pharmaceuticals Limited (formerly United Medicines Biopharma Limited) on the completion of its $250 million financing round in parallel with the simultaneous acquisition by Centessa of 10 private biotech companies across 4 jurisdictions (UK, USA, Germany and France) that will each continue to develop its assets with oversight from the Centessa management team.
- Advised UK-based biotech KaNDy Therapeutics and its shareholders in connection with KaNDy’s agreement to be acquired by Bayer. Bayer will pay an upfront consideration of $425 million, potential milestone payments of up to $450 million until launch, followed by potential additional triple digit million sales milestones payments.
Real estate > Commercial property: investment Tier 3
Since its London launch in 2008, US firm Goodwin has forged a reputation as a ‘go-to team for the most complex transactions’. David Evans chairs the wider European practice from the London base and his team works alongside the wider firm’s finance, regulatory, tax and funds departments to provide a one-stop shop for transactions. James Spence is the key contact for real estate-related M&A deals and the department saw two new partner-level arrivals over the past year with investment fund expert, Justin Cornelius, joining from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP and finance specialist Richard Semple making the switch from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP.
Practice head(s):
David Evans
Other key lawyers:
James Spence; Martin Smith
Testimonials
‘We go to this team for the most complex transactions. The quality of their partners is exceptional and they are experts in handling such high profile, complicated and often lengthy transactions.’
Key clients
BentallGreenOak
Clarion Partners Europe
DWS
Kennedy Wilson
Medical Properties Trust
Partners Group
Work highlights
- Advised longstanding client BentallGreenOak on the sale of a portfolio of 42 premium logistics assets across four Western European jurisdictions (France, Spain, Italy and Netherlands) for a consideration of around €1.2bn, via a sale of a structure involving regulated and unregulated, listed and private vehicles.
- Advised Kennedy Wilson on the formation of a programmatic joint venture with Singapore sovereign wealth fund, GIC, to acquire and manage last-mile urban logistics properties in the UK, with the potential to expand into Ireland and Spain, targeting a total portfolio of $1bn.
- Advised Medical Properties Trust in respect of its £800m agreement to acquire a portfolio of select behavioural health facilities, and their concurrent leaseback, from the leading UK behavioural health provider The Priory Group.
Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£250m+) Tier 4
Goodwin's London buyout team has grown significantly in recent years. In May 2020, the practice was joined by James Grimwood, who previously led the private equity team at CMS, with the firm following this up in September with the addition of a five-partner team from Sidley Austin LLP led by Christian Iwasko and Erik Dahl. These partners joined an existing team, led by Richard Lever, that advises on acquisitions, exits and secondary transactions across a range of sectors. In addition to advising PE houses, the team also acts for management on mandates. Gemma Roberts is another name to note.
Practice head(s):
Richard Lever
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Good market intelligence, diverse teams, commercial and pragmatic.’
Key clients
ECI Partners
Inflexion
JMI Equity
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
LionRock Capital
LDC
Mayfair Equity Partners
Partners Group
TA Associates
TowerBrook Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Advised long-standing client GTT Communications, Inc., a global leader in the provision of cloud networking services, on its definitive agreement to sell its global infrastructure business to I Squared Capital for US$2.15 billion.
- Advised TA Associates on its co-investment in DOCU Nordic Group Holdings AB, alongside Stirling Square Capital Partners as part of a wider transaction pursuant to which SSCP’s fourth fund became the majority shareholder in DOCU Nordic following the sale of the entire issued share capital of DOCU Nordic by SSCP’s third fund.
- Advised SuperAwesome on the sale of its entire equity share capital to Epic Games. SuperAwesome is the developer of a digital marketing platform designed to meet the data privacy requirements of the global kids’ industry.
Real estate > Property finance Tier 4
With 13 offices situated globally, the 'strong, partner-led' real estate finance team at Goodwin has particular experience in debt-related transactions, mezzanine financing and CMBS loans both domestically and abroad. Practice head Paul Lyons is active in the debt and fund financing arena, advising borrowers and lenders. The team has benefited from the recent additions of Richard Semple, who joined the firm from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in October 2020, and Geoff O’Dea, who joined from Baker McKenzie in March 2021.
Practice head(s):
Paul Lyons
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Strong partner-led team. Richard Semple is a strong hire with good client contacts and excellent knowledge of the market.’
‘Richard Semple has deep market knowledge and an understanding of the key drivers for us on the client side during the life of a deal, not just at origination.’
Key clients
Ares Management
BentallGreenOak
Crossroads Real Estate Partners
Medical Properties Trust
Lone Star Funds
Meadow Partners
Slate Asset Management
M7 Real Estate
Work highlights
- Advising BentallGreenOak on a number of matters, including a bridge finance for a hotel development at Great Newport Street; the financing of the Brooklyn Hotel in Manchester; and a development financing for a fund managed by Credit Suisse Asset Management Global Real Estate for the acquisition and development of Panther House.
- Advised Medical Properties Trust on a series of financings in connection with MPT’s €700m acquisition of a portfolio of 35 healthcare facilities from MEDIAN Kliniken and MPT’s $900m acquisition of Capella Healthcare.
- Advised MPT in respect of its agreement to acquire a portfolio of select behavioural health facilities, and their concurrent leaseback, from UK behavioural health provider The Priory Group.
Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 5
Goodwin's tax team displays a strong level of expertise in the private equity, real estate, technology and life sciences sectors. Practice head Laura Charkin is a recognised fund tax practitioner, while Robert Young has a strong background in the technology and life sciences space, and Katie Leah focuses on the tax elements of real estate transactions and private equity work. Key changes to the team includes the arrival of Dulcie Daly from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in March 2021.
Practice head(s):
Laura Charkin
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Macquarie
Ares Management
Investcorp
Amcor plc
Bregal Investments
Graphite Capital
Advent International
Glennmont Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Macquarie Green Investment Group on the structuring and fundraising of its latest fund, Macquarie GIG Renewable Energy Fund 2.
- Advised Medical Properties Trust, Inc. in respect of its agreement to acquire a portfolio of select behavioural health facilities, and the concurrent leaseback, from the leading UK behavioural health provider The Priory Group.
- Advised LionRock Capital on its acquisition of a majority stake in UK shoe manufacturer and retailer C&J Clark Limited.
Finance > Acquisition finance Tier 6
Goodwin has recently made some notable hires on the debt finance side, including that of Hugh O’Sullivan who joined in April 2021 from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP, enabling it to be better equipped to advise the firm's growing roster of private equity clients. Simon Fulbrook provides 'level headed and pragmatic advice' and 'understands the key commercial points that matter to a private equity sponsor'.
Practice head(s):
Simon Fulbrook
Other key lawyers:
Hugh O’Sullivan; Geoff O’Dea; Paul Lyons; Richard Hughes
Testimonials
‘Simon Fulbrook provides level headed and pragmatic advice. He understands the key commercial points that matter to a private equity sponsor and doesn’t get distracted by the points that don’t.’
Key clients
Mayfair Equity Partners
TA Associates
Graphite Capital
Partners Group
ECI Partners
Avantus Aerospace Group Limited
LDC
Inflexion
Tide Capital
G Square Private Equity
Bregal Milestone
Work highlights
- Advised Mayfair Equity Partners on the debt financing arrangements of its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Stork Topco Limited and its subsidiaries through which Seraphine Limited, a maternity clothing retailer and designer operates.
- Advised TA Associates on its co-investment in DOCU Nordic Group Holdings AB, alongside Stirling Square Capital Partners as part of a wider transaction pursuant to which SSCP’s fourth fund became the majority shareholder in DOCU Nordic following the sale of the entire issued share capital of DOCU Nordic by SSCP’s third fund.
- Advised Partners Group on the acquisition of all of the business and assets of UK high street restaurant chain, Côte Restaurants, following a financial restructuring and administration of the business.
Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 7
Goodwin's nascent restructuring practice continues to go from strength-to-strength and, despite its relatively compact size, is picking up some notable mandates for a range of stakeholders at every stage of the restructuring cycle. Much of this work flows from a growing roster of fund clients turning to the firm to provide 'efficient and effective solutions to problems', whether it be in the context of their distressed investment strategies, driving a restructuring process or for private equity portfolio companies on the debtor side.'Willing to make innovative suggestions and not just follow a set formula', team head Simon Thomas has a vast amount of credibility among fund and IP clients.
Practice head(s):
Simon Thomas
Other key lawyers:
Oonagh Steel; Emily Lockhart; Geoff O’Dea
Testimonials
‘The firm’s collaborative style enables efficient and effective solutions to problems.’
‘Although relatively small, the Goodwin restructuring team punches above its weight in terms of breadth of experience and capability – they have a wide range of experience acting for a range of participants at every stage of the restructuring cycle.’
‘Goodwin Procter is unique in its commercial approach to matters while balancing this with the complexities of restructuring and insolvency law.’
‘Simon Thomas: very approachable and willing to help. Technically good, and sees the bigger picture – which is helpful in getting everybody pulling in the same direction, but is also focused on the detail – which is often needed to get the transaction actually over the line. He is willing to make innovative suggestions, not just follow a set formula.’
‘Oonagh Steel is an excellent finance lawyer and her ability to work both new money deals and restructurings is to be commended.’
‘Geoff O’Dea is a hugely experienced restructuring lawyer who is technically strong, knows the details and can work through to the solutions.’
Key clients
LionRock Capital Partners
Partners Group
PwC
Medical Properties Trust (MPT)
Duff & Phelps
LaSalle Investment Management
EY
Hudson Advisors / LoneStar
New Look Financing Plc
Lecta Paper UK Limited
Swissport Fuelling Ltd
ED&F Man Treasury Management Plc
Hertz UK Receivables
FRP
BDO
THM
Alvarez & Marsal
Moderna
Work highlights
- Advising Lion Rock Capital Partners on its acquisition of troubled British heritage business, Clarks Shoes.
- Advising the RCF ad-hoc committee lenders on the financial restructuring of the Vallourec group.
- Advising Partners Group on the rescue of French brasserie chain, Côte Restaurants including the acquisition of over 90 restaurants through a pre-pack administration transaction leading to the preservation of over 3000 jobs.
Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium
Goodwin launched its commercial litigation team with the arrival of Oliver Glynn-Jones from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP in April 2020. The firm is building its London practice which has a focus on representing investment funds, private equity and real estate clients in corporate and commercial disputes.
East Anglia > Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Cambridge
East Anglia > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property
East Anglia > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
Goodwin > Firm Profile
With the breakneck pace of technology disrupting industries around the world, our London-based team of 100+ lawyers is embracing change to help clients make a lasting and meaningful impact. As part of what is widely recognised as one of the fastest growing international firms in London, our lawyers are deeply experienced in the life sciences, technology, real estate and private equity sectors and are supported by significant on-the-ground capabilities in debt financing, intellectual property, privacy and cybersecurity, regulatory, restructuring, tax and litigation and dispute resolution.
In 2019 we also launched our Cambridge office in the heart of the high-technology Silicon Fen, and home to one of the world’s largest and most innovative life sciences clusters, as well as some of the most disruptive technology and life sciences companies. The firm’s on-the-ground presence in Cambridge further expands our lawyers’ ability to support clients in these sectors through our unique capital-meets-innovation platform in Europe, and solidifies Goodwin’s position as the leading firm in the UK and European life sciences and technology markets.
Real estate: Our real estate lawyers provide a genuinely integrated offering from structuring funds, products and vehicles, to the acquisition, financing, development, restructuring and disposal of real estate assets through direct and indirect investments, as well as complex international hospitality + leisure transactions.
Private equity: Our private equity lawyers counsel on all areas of private equity and mergers and acquisitions, with a special emphasis on middle market private equity and growth investments, alongside our renowned private funds team, which provides counsel at every stage of the fund life cycle.
Technology and life sciences: Our technology and life sciences lawyers help high growth businesses, public companies, investors and investment banks capitalise on opportunities and minimise risks in rapidly evolving markets. We offer clients industry-leading technology, life sciences and healthcare practices recognized for serving clients along the corporate life cycle globally.
Private investment funds: Goodwin’s London funds team uniquely covers the full range of private investment funds including private equity funds, venture capital funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds, debt funds, impact and responsible investing funds, emerging market funds, hedge funds and listed funds as well as various large-scale GP led structures.
Tax: Our tax team have extensive experience of the tax issues affecting the private equity, infrastructure and real estate industries. This sector focus means that our tax team can save you time and money by delivering pragmatic and commercially relevant advice grounded not only in technical expertise and experience but also in a deep understanding of the issues affecting the markets in which you operate. By working as integral parts of our transaction and fund formation teams to ensure that tax advice is robustly implemented, our tax lawyers minimise the risk of challenge by a tax authority and the cost and possible reputational damage that can result from such a challenge.
Restructuring: Our London financial restructuring lawyers represent every type of major stakeholder in distressed situations. The restructuring and insolvency advice provided by our team complements the other services provided by Goodwin during the full life cycle of each company and investment to achieve the optimum outcome for stakeholders
Litigation: Our London team has over 20 years’ experience advising investment and retail banks, funds, issuers, bondholders and other financial counter-parties in the resolution of complex corporate disputes, often with a cross-border element. The team has litigated across many different fields of finance, with a particular focus on investment banking, structured finance and funds litigation.
Regulatory: Our regulatory team is uniquely positioned to address the cutting-edge issues that can maximize business opportunities as well as better manage and mitigate risk. Our team of specialists represent investment managers on the formation, offering and operation of investment products including real estate, private equity, infrastructure + energy, private debt, hedge, venture funds, fund of funds, and joint ventures. We have experience advising clients on matters under the EU AIFMD, EU MIFID, UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Rules and are currently helping clients navigate their way through the post-Brexit landscape. We also advise clients on issues relating to the US Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the US Investment Company Act of 1940 including registration and compliance matters.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
London office co-chairs | Samantha Lake Coghlan | slakecoghlan@goodwinlaw.com | +44 (0)20 7447 4203 |
London office co-chairs | Paul Lyons | plyons@goodwinlaw.com | +44 (0)20 7447 4233 |
Student (The Lex 100 )
The Lex 100 Verdict
Goodwin Procter’s ‘global reputation in private equity, technology and the life sciences sectors’ helps it stand out from the crowd. The US firm is ‘always growing, which makes it an exciting place to join’ and offers trainees high levels of responsibility on ‘complex and interesting transactions’. A ‘diverse and modern firm’, Goodwin has a ‘vast array of international and domestic clients, which provides plenty of opportunities to work on matters with a cross-border element’. Teams are ‘much more lean’, with ‘fewer trainees and associates on deals’. As a result, responsibility levels are high and ‘there is an expectation to be contactable at all times, sometimes including weekends’. For some trainees, the worst thing about Goodwin are the working hours and lack of work/life balance at times. Having to ‘work late nights and manage multiple workstreams with competing deadlines’ is an example. Others would have liked ‘more training when starting at the firm, e.g. in IT and project management’. That there are ‘no secondment opportunities for trainees’ is also begrudged. But at least the firm ‘seems invested in your personal growth and development’. ‘Taking part in high-profile, complex billion-dollar deals’, ‘undertaking a private equity closing’ and ‘being allowed to communicate directly with the client to provide updates on their matter’ were unbeatable highlights. Less enjoyable were ‘an extended period of very little sleep’ and ‘starting remotely and not being able to socialise with other trainees or colleagues due to lockdown’. To work in ‘teams of a world-class standard’ along with ‘thoughtful and fun people’ and be given the opportunity to ‘project manage fast-moving deals’, consider Goodwin Procter.- Investment fund formation and management > Real estate funds
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Cambridge
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Biotechnology
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Corporate and commercial > M&A: lower mid-market deals, £50m-£500m
- Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £250m)
- Corporate and commercial > Venture capital
- Investment fund formation and management > Private funds
Firm Rankings
- Industry focus > Hospitality and leisure
- Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare
- Real estate > Commercial property: investment
- Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£250m+)
- Real estate > Property finance