Downs Solicitors LLP

Richard Clapham

Richard practised in a central London firm for over 10 years before joining our Corporate and Commercial Department in Godalming as a Partner He advises UK and overseas corporates, start-ups, trade associations and individuals with particular expertise in the following: Corporate: private company share and business acquisitions and disposals, joint venture and shareholder agreements, LLP agreements, share buy-back arrangements, bespoke articles of association, start-ups, associations and clubs, group reorganisation, board and staff share incentive schemes, and corporate governance. Corporate finance: facility agreements, debentures and personal guarantees. Commercial: sale of goods and supply of services agreements, IP licensing, blockchain technology terms, manufacturing, agency and distribution agreements, property development agreements and confidentiality agreements.

Julian Harvey

Head of Corporate and Commercial, Partner. Julian specialises in all areas of corporate and commercial law with a particular focus on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and joint ventures, including shareholder and LLP agreements. He is also experienced in franchising and share option schemes. Julian has advised on numerous acquisitions and disposals, especially in the SME sector and for family owned businesses. He also has considerable international experience. He works with clients in a range of different industry sectors, including technology, franchising, healthcare, property development, automotive and leisure.

Chris Millar

Senior partner. Chris specialises in commercial litigation and insolvency. His clients are varied and many are located overseas. His focus is to advise clients on effective dispute resolution, covering a broad range of issues, eg from shareholder disputes, contractual claims and professional negligence claims to debt/asset recovery. Chris advises many insolvency practitioners and other clients on all aspects of insolvency-related issues, and has become an acknowledged expert in the field of ‘phoenix companies’. Recent cases include: the recovery of high-value assets in Switzerland and Belgium on behalf of a trustee in bankruptcy; a claim in excess of £10m against a European bank by a Mexican national; two Court of Appeal decisions regarding ss216-217 Insolvency Act 1986; and acting for a number of shareholders in respect of unfair prejudice petitions and derivative claims.

Amber O"Connor

Amber deals with a range of private client work including Wills, administration of estates, Lasting Powers of Attorney and mental capacity work. As well as making sure the right beneficiaries will inherit your estate, Amber will help you minimise your exposure to the capital taxes. She will also assist you with Powers of Attorney to make sure the right people will be able to take control of your assets should you be unable to do so yourself.

David Seals

David specialises in acting for employers in employment disputes and is an experienced advocate in the Employment Tribunals. He has acted for a broad range of clients, such as company directors, HR managers and owner-managers, in a variety of sectors from the motor car industry to schools and charities. He advises on all aspects of employment law, including terms and conditions of service, employment policies and procedures, termination, disciplinary and grievance procedures, employment aspects of business transfers/TUPE, redundancy and restructures, discrimination law, restrictive covenants and associated litigation, employment tribunal litigation and appeals. David also provides in-house training on employment law to HR departments and managers, typically in such areas as discrimination law, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and reorganisation/restructures. He is a regular article contributor to business journals and has presented many employment law seminars and workshops.

Richard Taylor

Richard handles a broad range of property transactions and specialises in residential property development, residential conveyancing, secured lending and general commercial property work. His clients include many well-established developers and entrepreneurs and he has built up close working relationships with clients and contacts alike over a number of years. He always aims to give added value and is known for his creative and proactive approach.