Mirroring the firm’s broader transactional growth out of London, Goodwin often works in a synergistic way alongside venture capital, private equity and real estate functions, in particular for creditors/investors, IPs, and debtors across a range of transactional and more formal insolvency processes. Leveraging the firm’s resources in the US, a good deal of the work has a transatlantic angle, with noted sector strengths within the tech and life sciences arena. ‘Well-versed in insolvency legal knowledge’, team head Simon Thomas provides ’effective and calm’ support to a myriad stakeholders, including funds and IPs. Emily Lockhart has ‘excellent technical expertise and commercial nous’ and is also a key contact. Geoff O’Dea joined Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in January 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Simon Thomas provides effective and calm legal advice and support, especially in times of corporate and financial distress for his clients.'
- 'Simon Thomas is well-versed in insolvency legal knowledge and can leverage a good quality roster of insolvency practitioners.'
- 'Emily Lockhart displays excellent technical expertise and commercial nous.'
Key clients
- Stride Venture Capital
- Propelled
- Telegraph Media Group/Spectator Group
- Rockport
- Osprey Investments
- Permira Credit
- Tikehau
- Alcentra
- Bridgepoint Capital
- DWS
- Alvarez & Marsal
- Teneo
Work highlights
Represented the administrators of beleaguered used car retailer Cazoo.
Advised the independent directors appointed by the Telegraph Media Group and Spectator Media Group’s lender following the failure to meet its loan obligations.
Advising Stride VC on the regulatory and corporate aspects of the past investment by Stride Capital Fund I SCSp, which Stride Capital manages, in Silverbird Global Limited, which was placed into special administration under the Payment and Electronic Money Institution Insolvency Regulations 2021.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Simon Thomas
Other key lawyers
Emily Lockhart; Tom Plowman