Julie Hughes > Cripps > Tunbridge Wells, England > Lawyer Profile

The ‘efficient, approachable and proactive’ team at Cripps has a deep bench of M&A practitioners following the firm’s recent merger with PDT Solicitors. Based in Tunbridge Wells, the practice has advised on multiple M&A, growth and debt deals involving private equity, with a particular focus in the US, helmed by Salim Somjee and Helen Garner. The firm has notable expertise across the insurance, education, and technology sectors and regularly advises shareholders on a range of transactional matters. The practice is led by Julie Hughes who has expertise in corporate transactions, particularly relating to childcare and education. Sian Webber is a key name for invoice finance and asset-based lending mandates.

Recommended for its ‘great breadth of expertise’, Cripps is home to a banking and finance practice group which is adept at advising both borrowers and lenders on all forms of financing including acquisition finance, asset finance and real estate finance work. Experienced banking and finance practitioner Craig Bowers is recommended for his ‘excellent service’ and jointly spearheads the practice in conjunction with Noel Ruddy, who is a specialist for receivables finance matters, and Dawn Shadwell, who is praised as an ‘attentive listener who is willing to explore a range of solutions where possible and assess the relevant risks’, and lends her expertise to asset based lending, invoice finance and acquisition finance mandates. Julie Hughes is notable for acquisition finance work, particularly on behalf of real estate borrower clients, while Victoria Symons is an expert in funds matters.