Howes Percival LLP ‘has a high level of technical skill, but also the ability to work with clients for whom this is a strange new world’. Through its Cambridge office, where James Stephen leads the firm-wide corporate and banking team, the practice continues to make significant lateral hires. The most recent came in early 2025 with the arrival of corporate and finance partner Simon Warburton from Dentons. The firm is a prominent adviser to private equity investors and has a strong presence in mid-market deals locally and beyond East Anglia. Ollie Flowers and Josie Rogers are among the talented lawyers coming through the ranks.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team has the high level of technical skill you would expect, but also the ability to work with clients for whom this is a strange new world. In the project we worked on, they took the time to take the client through the legal documentation, carefully explaining the different elements. This builds up trust with the client, which is an important part of any transaction.’

  • ‘All the members of the team we have worked with have been excellent at engaging with clients. Trust is such an important part of any deal, and that personal approach, explaining in terms clients understand is so important.’

  • 'The practice keeps a very tight grip on the legal work they are handling and how this fits into your business rather than just a template piece of legal work i.e. one size fits all.'

  • 'James Stephen is a standout partner. He offers sage considered advice that is always robust even if it is not ideally what you want to hear. He takes personal ownership of not just headlining the piece of work but maintaining a detailed knowledge at his fingertips rather than having to resort to a junior colleague on any detailed questions. Tom Maksymiw, an associate, is emerging as a very capable associate meticulous in his drafting and ensuring the interplay between different clauses is perfect.'

Key clients

  • Shareholders of Schoolblazer Limited
  • Fleet Assist Limited

Work highlights

Advising the shareholders of Schoolblazer Limited on the sale of the entire share capital of that company to Hancock & Gore Limited (an Australian listed company).

Practice head

James Stephen

Other key lawyers

Simon Warburton; Tom Maksymiw; Ollie Flowers; Josie Rogers