
Well regarded for advice on corporate finance and commercial contracts, Freeths LLP excels in M&A matters with a client roster ranging from SMEs to listed public companies. Recent work highlights extend to an instruction regarding a £1.3bn merger, including post-exchange restructuring process, led by Malin Svanberg Larsson. Heading the firm’s corporate team, Leon Arnold is a key contact for cross-border M&A, while Rebecca Howlett leads the commercial team and is well versed across the full spectrum of commercial agreements, including distribution and warehousing contracts, with noteworthy experience in the beauty industry. Tom Walker offers expertise in advising shareholders and directors at the intersection of their business role with private wealth aspects, including the structuring of trusts, family investment companies, and holding vehicles. Malin Svanberg Larsson‘s focus areas include private equity transactions and early-stage investments. James Lapham left the firm in April 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team of Tom Walker was able to guide us through the transition, provide valuable advice, while being very available. It was one team with everyone committed, on board and dedicated.'
- ‘Malin and Elizabeth were both standout individuals, thorough, patient, and also direct, all attributes we admire and helped move the process forward efficiently.’
- ‘The team at Freeths was responsive and knowledgeable. They supported us in walking us through the process and helped to break it down into terms we could easily comprehend.'
- ‘Malin Svanberg Larsson and Leon Arnold have been fantastic partners.’
- ‘The corporate team is amazing, always finding solutions to problems rather than creating them.’
- ‘Tom Walker is a brilliant corporate lawyer, a great sounding board on a wide range of topics, and able to craft excellent SPAs.'
Key clients
- Shareholders of Veriflo Limited
- Shareholders of Oakford Advisors Limited
- Substantial Group Limited (Netomnia/YouFibre/Brsk)
- Shareholders of Ex Veritas Ltd
- Shareholders of UniAdmissions
- City Plumbing Supplies Holdings Limited
- Travis Perkins Group Plc
- Brand& Ltd
- Cromwell Tools Limited
- Tesa
- BTomorrow Ventures
- LACE Partners
Work highlights
Advised the management team of Netomnia/YouFibre on the £1.3bn merger with Brsk.
Advised the shareholders of explosion safety specialist ExVeritas Limited on their strategic sale to NMi Group.
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.
Practice head
Leon Arnold; Rebecca Howlett
Other key lawyers
Tom Walker; Malin Svanberg Larsson; Claus Anderson

