Counting a significant share of FTSE 100 and 250 companies among its key roster of clients, Slaughter and May remains a key player in the UK public M&A market, advising on a consistent flow of complex, high-value transactions. The firm’s multi-specialist model enables it to work seamlessly across a range of sectors, including technology, infrastructure, energy, and financial services. Consistently involved in headline deals, the team is well-positioned to assist clients on the full gamut of corporate work. Leadership is shared between Richard Smith, whose practice focuses on public and private M&A, joint ventures, and equity capital markets work, and Simon Nicholls, who is a key port of call for a number of listed companies for his capabilities on a broad range of matters. Roland Turnill brings a steady hand to a wide remit of mandates, including shareholder activism, board-level governance, and complex joint ventures, while Rebecca Cousin continues to make her mark on matters at the intersection of tech and intellectual property. Robert Innes and David Johnson both handle public takeovers, equity raises, and strategic partnerships, and James Cook stands out for his expertise in the tech sector. A mix of listed and unlisted clients turn to Paul Dickson for his expertise on a range of corporate and corporate finance matters. The practice also benefits from the transactional nous of Sally Wokes, who is a trusted adviser to a mix of corporates, PE houses and activist investors, and Victoria MacDuff, who is noted for her track record in telecom and financial services deals.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘I am very happy to be able to work with Warwick Brennand, Sally Wokes, Simon Nicolls, and Laura Houston as the key partners I have worked with. As above, they are responsive, smart, and proactive. They have dealt with lots of different counterparties for us and navigate the different tones and personalities well. I feel very confident in their advice.'
- ‘We have worked with Slaughter & May on a number of M&A projects, and they have been exceptional across all of the deals. Some of the team members have been consistent across projects, but even when new associates start working with us they are extremely well briefed and up to speed straight away. We have received excellent advice from them - they really understand our business and objectives and advise on much wider issues than strict legal points. They have really helped get deals agreed because they have been pragmatic and have been able to tell us as the client where we are being unreasonable or what sensible compromises would be.’
- 'Very much take a long-term view of client relationships, focussing on partnership and mutual long-term value creation.'
- 'Provides a first-class service, every time.'
- 'An exceptional team handling a complicated deal in a difficult sector of the market. Their knowledge of the UK Takeover code and ability to explain difficult issues to non-legal people was outstanding.'
- 'Extremely high-quality advice, always prioritising commercial considerations. Experts at handling boardroom dynamics.'
Key clients
- DS Smith
- IDS
- Direct Line Group
- John Wood Group
- Vodafone Group
- Hammerson
- Ascential
- Dowlais
- Nationwide
- BHP
- AngloGold Ashanti
- SEGRO
Work highlights
DS Smith Plc on competing takeover approaches from both, fellow FTSE 100 paper and packaging group, Mondi plc and NYSE-listed International Paper Company, which led to an agreed acquisition by International Paper for £7.8 billion.
IDS (formerly Royal Mail) on one of the landmark M&A transactions of 2024/25 on its agreed acquisition by EP Group for £3.5 billion.
Successful defence of Direct Line against a £3.1 billion takeover offer from Ageas and its agreed acquisition by Aviva plc for £3.7 billion.
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.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Richard Smith, Simon Nicholls
Other key lawyers
Rebecca Cousin; Roland Turnill; Paul Dickson; Sally Wokes; Victoria MacDuff; Claire Jackson; Andrew Jolly; Robert Innes; James Cook; Harry Hecht; Alexander Dustan; David Johnson; Usman Sawar