Regarded for its ‘great mix of technical ability and commercial flare,’ Farrer & Co’s corporate group is a good choice for media, pharma, and education businesses seeking assistance on complex transactions. The practice has a robust offering which encompasses public and private M&A, joint ventures, and investments at domestic and cross-border levels, and the team has particular expertise acting on the sell-side of deals. Heading up the department is Jonathan Haley who specialises in advising family offices and regulated companies on private M&A and joint ventures. On the restructuring and reorganisation front, Richard Lane is the key contact in the team, regularly supporting US and Middle Eastern clients, while Anthony Turner is adept at handling corporate transactions in the financial services sector. Other indispensable practitioners in the group include Simon Ward, Tom Bruce, and India Benjamin.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Richard Lane brings a rare and valuable blend of rigorous legal analysis and sharp commercial insight. He has a unique talent for distilling complex issues into clear, accessible advice. Richard combines professionalism with a light touch of humour, making him not only highly effective but also a pleasure to work with. His affable demeanor masks a firm and strategic approach to negotiation; truly the embodiment of the 'iron fist in the velvet glove'.’
‘Farrer stands out for its clear, commercial advice and strong teamwork across disciplines. Clients appreciate the team’s responsiveness, depth of expertise, and calm handling of complex matters. Compared to other firms, its thoughtful approach to collaboration, inclusive culture, and flexible ways of working make it both effective and easy to work with.’
‘The individuals I work with stand out for their clarity, responsiveness, and steady judgment under pressure. Charlie Court brings sharp insight and a reassuringly calm approach, while Georgia Slater is highly efficient, thoughtful, and a real pleasure to work with. Together, they reflect a team that’s not only technically strong, but also consistently focused on delivering a smooth and collaborative client experience.’
‘The team at Farrer & Co brings a great mix of technical ability and commercial flare. They are consistently our go-to firm for advice in this area.’
‘They are consistently responsive, technically sound, extremely easy to work with, and bring a welcome human touch. Particular stand-out individuals in this team are partners Marie Bates, David Fletcher, and Simon Ward, and associates Rosanna Taylor and Emily Jamieson.’
‘The team is particularly adept at cross-border work which involve "translating" legal issues and market practice to a foreign audience, and doing so in a way which is understandable to the business teams. They are very commercial, practical, and very collaborative. Of course, all of that is on top of terrific legal skills, but it's their ability to add value as team members which is really impressive.’
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
Jonathan Haley
Other key lawyers
Richard Lane; Anthony Turner; Simon Ward; Tom Bruce; India Benjamin; Emily Jamieson; Charlie Court; Georgina Fraser