Adopting a ‘commercial’ approach, The Wilkes Partnership practice specialises in complex management buyouts, cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. The team is headed by the ’extremely efficient’ Gareth O’Hara, who is an expert in business and asset sales. Rick Smyth is knowledgeable on tax reorganisations and restructurings, and Kate Hackett primarily focuses on asset and share acquisitions. Jeremy Parkin and Helen Smart are also key members.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘I can always rely on Rick Smyth get to the heart of a business issue (not just the legal aspects) and come up with a creative solution that works for all parties. A skilled negotiator and trusted adviser to business owners.’

  • ‘Gareth O'Hara: exceptional customer care/understanding, extremely efficient and total honesty with fees.’

  • ‘I would strongly recommend partner Gareth O'Hara and solicitor Christie Nelson. Christie is very hard-working, and we trust her to complete any assignments we have. Both Gareth and Christie get to know their clients and have helped our business complete two large transactions over the past 10 years.’

  • ‘Lucy Freeman (associate) has a calm manner, is well-organised and gets things done.’

  • ‘Rick Smyth is able to effectively communicate complex legal issues in a clear and understandable way.’

  • ‘Matt Hartas embodies the firm's approach - pragmatic, with risks explained and mitigated as appropriate.’

Key clients

  • Wesleyan Bank Limited
  • Johnsons Cars Limited
  • PPS Equipment Holdings
  • Benx Limited
  • Star Group Live
  • Cotswold BMW
  • Wake Power Distribution Limited
  • Dennis Eagle Limited
  • VIAD
  • J S Wright

Lawyers

Practice head

Gareth O'Hara

Other key lawyers

Rick Smyth; Kate Hackett; Jeremy Parkin; Helen Smart; Lucy Freeman; Kiran Munawar; Matt Hartas; Christie Nelson