Clive Hopewell > Bird & Bird LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Bird & Bird LLP’s team has a strong global footprint which allows it to advise on fundraises across the AIM and Main Market of the London Stock Exchange while also handling equity issuances in emerging markets across EMEA and Southeast Asia. The team is also well-placed to advise international clients on their UK listing activities, having been recently instructed by US-based client Microsalt to advise on its AIM IPO. Practice head Clive Hopewell regularly advises on the corporate finance and regulatory aspects of issuer- and underwriter-side ECM matters, while Simon Allport is a key contact for public takeovers and Fiona McFarlane frequently handles corporate reorganisations. In September 2023, the team was joined by Michael Dawes, an expert on equity transactions in emerging African markets formerly of Memery Crystal.

Noted for its ‘expertise and personalised approach’ Bird & Bird LLP handles complex and multijurisdictional transactions for clients across a number of sectors, including technology, communications, energy, media, and life sciences, to name a few. Matt Bonass co-leads the international corporate team and is recognised for the breadth of his expertise, regularly working with energy, utilities, and technology businesses. The team also benefits from the knowledge of tech expert Neil Blundell who concentrates on transatlantic M&A deals, chiefly acting for US companies seeking to invest in the UK. On the media and entertainment front, Simon Fielder focuses on international M&A, joint ventures, and venture capital equity financing. Nick O’Donnell’s former experience working in the US and the UAE make him a go-to name for multinational technology, retail, and consumer businesses, as well as financial institutions seeking support for international acquisitions, disposals, and mergers. Specialising in equity financing and IPOs, Clive Hopewell leads the firm’s international capital markets group. His expertise also extends to cross-border M&A deals for clients in the financial services, energy and utilities, and mining and natural resources sectors. Other standout names in the practice include ‘trusted adviser’ James Baillieu, as well as Richie Lamb and George Mason.

Bird & Bird LLP provides a full service for its mining clients, advising on M&A, financing, exploration, construction and more across a wide range of jurisdictions. The firm has a strong IP practice, advising its mining major clients on their brand protection matters. Clive Hopewell spearheads the practice, specialising in international fundraisings and M&A, both public and private. A recent addition, Michael Dawes, bolsters the firm’s practice of acting on global transactions, with experience in emerging markets such as Africa.