Through its corporate and commercial departments, Shoosmiths LLP offers notable expertise across venture capital, private equity, and mid-market M&A. Heading the Solent corporate team, Lisa Sigalet acts for a diversity of clients across the energy, resources, and technology sectors on investments, disposals, and complex acquisitions concerning public and private companies. Julia Ishak helms the Solent commercial team, assisting major multinational automotive companies on business expansions, sales models, and supply and development agreements. Stephen Porter leads the corporate division nationally, advising the firm’s key clients on acquisitions, management buyouts, and investments. Private equity expert Sean Wright is ‘meticulous on the detail’ and ’a persuasive negotiator’, assisting equity providers, management teams, and financial sponsors on M&A within the media and telecoms spaces.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Shoosmiths brings a refreshing combination of deep technical competence, commercial awareness, and approachability.'
‘The team is extremely commercial, proactively looking for solutions to issues which are viable and workable solutions for all parties.'
‘The whole team has strength in depth. Each member is consistently excellent and all are quick to grasp the issues at hand and deliver practical solutions.'
'What makes them particularly strong is their ability to cut through legal complexity and focus on what truly matters for clients—whether that’s risk mitigation, speed of execution, or practical outcomes that align with business strategy.'
- 'The team is collaborative, well-aligned internally, and consistently responsive, which makes working with them both efficient and reassuring.'
- 'What stands out most is their ability to operate as true business partners. Rather than simply flagging legal issues, they actively help explore solutions and understand context.'
Key clients
- Dukes Education
- KBC Advanced Technologies Limited
- BGF
- Shareholders of Space & Time Group Limited
- Mining, Minerals & Metals plc
- The AA
- Twenty7 tec
- Rebalance Earth
- TMA Group Holdings Limited
- Honda
- Peugeot Citroen Vauxhall
- Platform Media Holdings Limited
Work highlights
Advised Onecom on the acquisition of Excalibur Communications.
Advised KBC on the acquisition of Flaretot.
Advised BGF on its further investment into AD Williams.
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.
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.
Practice head
Lisa Sigalet; Julia Ishak
Other key lawyers
Stephen Porter; Sean Wright; Emma Livesey