Fielding a team of ‘extremely strong technical lawyers’, Linklaters LLP consistently advises high-profile sponsors and global corporates on big-ticket equity investments and private equity-backed M&A transactions. The firm’s corporate offering covers take-privates and strategic capital investments, showcasing significant activity in the financial services, tech, and healthcare industries. The team is jointly led by Alex Woodward and Ben Rodham, both of whom are particularly noted for their experience in carve-outs, co-investments, and distressed acquisitions. Chris Boycott routinely acts for financial sponsors and investee companies, Tracey Lochhead is a corporate finance specialist, while Daniel Law primarily concentrates on secondary buyouts and consortium transactions. Andrew Lynch and Peter McCabe are also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Alex Woodward - leading UK/European PE expertise; critical thought partner for inhouse teams and business teams; pragmatic and strategic advice. Genna Marten - deep PE expertise including in complex target company shareholder structures; practical advice and excellent delivery and ability to execute/get deals done in challenging situations. Gives full confidence on legal/process delivery.'
- 'Ben Rodham is the best lawyer I have worked with - he combines deep legal knowledge with an instinct for dealmaking and is able to combine these skills to help navigate through even the most complex situations.'
- 'Linklaters has one of if not the best PE practices on the street. They have significant experience of high value deals and a strong and deep bench of partners and associates. They are able to manage risk whilst being commercial and moving fast.'
- 'Ben Rodham - an extremely safe pair of hands, has immense depth of knowledge and able to advise in a user-friendly manner across even the most complex transactions giving clients confidence that matters are being handled diligently, efficiently and creatively where needed. Chris Boycott - excellent source of knowledge on all things take-private and commercial in executing. Provides solutions-orientated advice in an area that clients can find technically challenging given the rules-based nature of the UK takeover regime.'
- 'The team combines commercial acumen, depth of expertise and a solutions-orientated approach with ease and across the peking order. Legal advice is clear and user-friendly even on the most complex transactions involving different stakeholders. The team has a deep bench of experienced professionals offering a range of specialist knowledge and capacity to support (and bring together) workstreams across complex, large-scale transactions.'
- ‘Alex, Genna and the team stand out for their thoughtful partnership, attention to detail and alignment with our culture.’
Key clients
- Ardian
- Apax
- Apollo
- Blackstone
- BC Partners
- Brookfield
- Carlyle
- CDPQ
- Cerberus
- CPPIB
- DigitalBridge
- EQT
Work highlights
Advised Hg on (i) the acquisition of a minority stake in team.blue by CPPIB and Sofina; and (ii) a further investment by Hg, valuing the business at €4.5bn.
Advised the Brookfield-led consortium on the closing of the £2.2bn recommended public offer for Network International Holdings Plc.
Advised the Brookfield-led consortium on its minority preferred equity investment in GEMS Education, a UAE-based education and ancillary services provider.
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.
Tracey Lochhead
Ben Rodham
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Ben Suen
Practice head
Alex Woodward; Ben Rodham
Other key lawyers
Chris Boycott; Tracey Lochhead; Daniel Law; Andrew Lynch; Peter McCabe; Alex Lehtinen; Genna Marten; Ben Suen; Martin Arnal; Tom Gavin; John Tsui