Hailed as both ‘very accessible’ and ’very practical in approach’, Osborne Clarke LLP is highly knowledgeable in the tech and media fields, primarily handling bolt-on acquisitions and exits. The firm is particularly accustomed to overseeing investment transactions spanning across the North American and European markets. Operating out of Bristol, team lead Alistair Francis is an expert in M&A transactions, London’s Pippa Byrne concentrates on management buyouts and joint ventures, whilst Alisdair Livingstone acts for a range of sponsors, portfolio companies, and management teams. Mike Freer is noted for his equity release insight, and Leanne Wright is highlighted as a private equity deal specialist.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is very accessible and very practical in approach. Always responsive and accommodating.’

  • ‘Knowledgeable and easy to work with.’

  • 'I find OC to strike the right balance between technical legal advice and practical commercial reasoning with a view to finding a path through negotiations. They have consistently delivered creative solutions to complex problems, even under tight timeframes.'

  • 'Alistair Francis is a fantastic partner - his advice and insight makes him a core part of our extended deal team when working together. He is also easy to work with and unflappable, which is very valuable!'

Key clients

  • Alcuin Capital Partners
  • Apiary Capital
  • August Equity
  • BGF
  • Cadence
  • CBPE
  • Fidelio
  • Growth Capital Partners
  • Kester Capital
  • Palladian
  • Pollen Street Capital
  • Queen's Park Equity
  • RJD Partners
  • Synova
  • Tenzing
  • Tresmares Capital
  • Waterland
  • Coolr
  • Focus Group
  • Stark Software

Work highlights

Advised BGF, Joel Stark, Alex Warren and the other vendors on the sale of a minority interest to Macquarie.
Advised Focus Group in a deal which made the company the latest addition to the ranks of Britain's private company unicorns, with a new US$1 billion valuation.
Advised Kester Capital on their exit from the Atec Group to Perwyn.

Practice head

Alistair Francis

Other key lawyers

Pippa Byrne; Alisdair Livingstone; Mike Freer; Leanne Wright