Graham Defries > Goodwin > London, England > Lawyer Profile

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.

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.