Covering early-stage investment rounds, high-value fundraisings, and complex funding rounds, the ‘impressive, knowledgeable, and detail-oriented’ Osborne Clarke LLP works with a global client roster. Especially renowned for its work in the life sciences, renewable energy, and financial services sectors, the team routinely acts on behalf of both investors and investees in pre-seed investments, as well as spinouts and exits. Based in Thames Valley, practice head Robert Wood covers all aspects of the venture and growth capital market. Reading-based Justin Starling is noted for his tech sector expertise, while Thames Valley-based Rob Hayes advises clients on buy-and-build strategies and M&A activity. From London, Mathias Loertscher primarily focuses on the media and communications industries, while Matthew Edwards concentrates on strategic transactions and exits. Bristol-based James Taylor regularly advises investors and management teams. The Reading-based Elizabeth Yell is also recommended.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The entire VC team at OC is impressive, knowledgeable, detail oriented and a pleasure to work with. In addition to being excellent lawyers they are incredibly knowledgeable about the market, its key players and the relevant terms. They are our go-to firm for everything from investments to exits because they make a genuine effort to understand and get to know our team and our business (and the quirks to the way we need deals done) and implement all of that learning on every deal we do with them. Seriously impressive, and a skill that not a single other firm has managed.’
‘Rob Hayes is a partner who leads from the front and is genuinely over all the key details of every deal. Incredibly commercial and practical in getting the deal done. Quite simply, he's the best.'
- 'Elizabeth Yell is an incredibly talented rising star. A standout lawyer who is incredibly detail-oriented but still commercial and pragmatic in the way she leads deals. We always know we're in very safe hands with Elizabeth.’
Key clients
- Highland Europe and Frog Capital
- Highland Europe
- Wesfarmers Limited
- Jiminny
- Advent Life Sciences
- UCL Technology Fund
- Optellum
- Albion VCT
- Nexeon
- Econic
Work highlights
- Advised Fintern on its consumer arm Abound, a personal lending start-up that uses artificial intelligence and Open Banking to provide more accurate and affordable loans, as it raises up to £500m.
- Advised Brompton Bicycle on a £19m investment round led by BGF.
- Advised Highland Europe on its lead investment in consumer technology brand, Nothing's US$96m fundraising round to scale its product and technology portfolio.
Lawyers
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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Elizabeth Yell
Practice head
Robert Wood
Other key lawyers
Justin Starling; Rob Hayes; Mathias Loertscher; Matthew Edwards; James Taylor; Elizabeth Yell