Industry focus
With a strong track record in handling Series A, B, and D financings, the Goodwin team is hailed as ‘hard working, responsive, and commercial’ by its domestic and international client-base. The practice’s expertise in all stages of funding rounds is extensive, with the main fields of focus being AI, life sciences, and consumer finance. Splitting his time between Cambridge and London, department head David Mardle is an expert in financings and M&A transactions, while Sophie McGrath is well-versed in cross-border venture capital matters. Andrew Davis acts for tech corporations, investors, and acquirers, Elizabeth Rhodes is highly knowledgeable in the tech and healthcare industries, and Adam Thatcher concentrates on venture capital financings. The ’proactive’ Kenny Walker-Durant is a private equity specialist and Maria Dragun focuses on company formations and reorganisations. Andrew Harrow oversees fundraisings for listed and private companies internationally and Graham Defries is labelled as a ‘go-to’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Position
Partner
Career
Described by Chambers as “a superb corporate lawyer,” Sophie McGrath is a partner in Goodwin’s Life Sciences, Healthcare and Technology groups. Sophie has over 20 years’ experience focusing on transactions in the life sciences, healthcare and technology sectors, acting for companies at all stages of development, as well as investors and management teams. She advises on a wide range of corporate matters, including private and public financings, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, and restructurings.
Sophie is a recommended lawyer for Chambers UK and Legal 500. She is described by Legal 500 as having “unbeatable knowledge and experience, especially in the life sciences and technology industries” and as “one of the best VC lawyers in the market”.
As the Co-Chair of Goodwin’s European Healthcare initiative, Sophie plays a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s strategic initiatives in this sector. Sophie collaborates with Goodwin attorneys across multiple disciplines such as corporate, commercial, intellectual property, private equity and regulatory to ensure that the firm’s European Healthcare clients are receiving cutting edge legal advice on the distinct challenges and opportunities within the European healthcare sector. With a sharp focus on emerging legal trends, Sophie has a particular interest in the growth of private equity investments within the Life Sciences and Healthcare sectors and works closely with her colleagues in the Private Equity team to provide clients with invaluable insights and strategic legal counsel on these transactions.
Sophie is one of the leaders of Goodwin’s Women’s Health and Wellness Initiative and is heavily involved in supporting entrepreneurs, companies and investors dedicated to advancing innovation in the field of women’s health and wellness. Sophie is also passionate about promoting and supporting women in the Life Sciences, Healthcare and Technology sectors, representing an impressive portfolio of women led companies such as Micrographia, Dunad, Aavantgarde and Jeito, the first women led life sciences focused venture capital fund. Sophie leads various initiatives and events at Goodwin focusing on women, including its annual Women in Life Sciences networking event and its Female Founders Dinner.
Sophie was the recipient of the Collaborative Leadership Award at the 2024 Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) UK Awards. Sophie has also been shortlisted as Legal Advisor of the Year at the Women in Finance Awards 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Education
Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test, 2003, College of Law London
Graduate Diploma in Law, 1999, College of Law, Sydney
Bachelors in Commerce and Laws, 1998, University of Sydney
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Hard working, responsive, commercial and competitive . Also, an absolute pleasure to work with and always thinking one step ahead.’
‘The Goodwin team has excellent and deep knowledge of the venture capital market. Delivers quick, very responsive and solid advice. Overall, a very reliable partner in the sector.’
‘Kenny Walker-Durant is a pleasure to work with: very responsive and proactive, manages the process well.'
'Graham Defries is my go-to: very knowledgeable, always available, good sense of commercial interests of his client and to the point advice.’
Key clients
- Adcendo ApS Novo Holdings A.P. Moller Holding Relay Technologies Moove Africa B.V. UB Forest Industry Green Growth Fund I LP (“UB FIGG”) Omnea Anaphite Vicebio Myricx Pharma Limited (trading as Myricx Bio) Grey Wolf Forbion ForCal, HealthCap Bioqube NEA (New Enterprise Associates) Vertice Advent Capital Z Goodstack Kinnevik Huma Therapeutics
Work highlights
Advised Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan on its investment into DeepL as part of a $300m financing round.
Advised NEA (New Enterprise Associates) on its lead investment in Synthesia’s $180 Million Series D financing.
Advised Adcendo on the closing of an oversubscribed $135 Million Series B financing round.