Brown Rudnick LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Brown Rudnick LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Corporate and commercial > M&A: Smaller Deals, £10m-£100m Tier 1

With deep knowledge of the technology, life sciences, and climate technology sectors, Brown Rudnick LLP‘s M&A practice is capable of handling both domestic and cross-border transactions for public and private companies. The group’s expertise in mergers and acquisitions, fundraising, and investments, among other areas, continues to attract new and impressive clients. Head of the international corporate practice group, Tom Braiden, and managing director of the firm’s corporate and capital markets department, Mark Dorff, co-lead the team, bringing together a wealth of experience. Braiden concentrates on advising investors, companies, and founders on private equity and venture capital transactions, cross-border M&A, and joint ventures. He is predominantly instructed by clients from the real estate, hospitality, and private equity sectors. Dorff is noted for representing public and private businesses, family offices, and private equity investors on multijurisdictional transactions. Equity capital markets specialist Lena Hodge is highly regarded for leading on M&A, IPOs, public company takeovers, and secondary fundraising. Other key names in the practice include Neil Foster, who is adept in advising energy clients on M&A, venture capital, private equity, and corporate finance, and Tracy Fisher, who specialises in M&A, reorganisations and demergers, and international taxation. Sage Revell made partner in February 2023.

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: civil Tier 2

Combining cross-border civil fraud, criminal and regulatory expertise, Brown Rudnick LLP‘s London practice is consistently engaged to act in major fraud disputes involving significant international features, such as the actions of individuals who are based in overseas jurisdictions. The practice can also boast complementary expertise in asset tracing and recovery, as well as experience in pursuing and executing domestic and international search orders. The London litigation and arbitration practice group is co-led by the ‘legally, strategically and technically astute’ Jane Colston, whose track record includes numerous cases involving freezing, proprietary, search, disclosure, gagging, imaging and delivery up injunctions, and Neill Shrimpton, whose experience includes litigating cases at all levels of the English courts, as well as in the BVI and before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. The practice further includes ‘excellent fraud lawyer’ Robin Pickworth, an October 2023 hire from Armstrong Teasdale; digital asset disputes specialist Jessica Lee; and Joanna Curtis and Theodore Elton, who both act in civil fraud cases.

Corporate and commercial > Equity capital markets – small-mid cap Tier 3

In addition to advising on a steady stream of issuances and fundraising matters, Brown Rudnick LLP’s typical workload includes handling block purchases, public company share acquisitions, and reverse takeovers for domestic and international issuers and their nominated advisers. The team is noted for its ability to provide integrated corporate, capital markets, and regulatory advice on emergency fundraises and takeovers, and it is additionally capable of advising clients on shareholder activism matters. Practice head Lena Hodge advises clients on UK and US ECM matters, while Nick Davies handles a variety of corporate issues.

Corporate and commercial > Financial services: contentious Tier 3

Despite the recent retirement of Peter Bibby and the departure of Chloe Pawson Pounds, the small partner-led team at Brown Rudnick LLP maintains significant visibility in the market, chiefly as a result of the ‘conscientious and thorough’ Ian Weinstein, who is now practice head. ‘Thoughtful and wise in tricky scenarios’, Weinstein regularly acts for senior executives and banks in FCA investigations and enforcements. He is also noted for his ability to ‘master even the largest and most complex financial services disputes and find the winning points’. Chloë Kealey is ‘detailed and forensic’ in her representation of clients both in criminal and regulatory enforcement actions.

Corporate and commercial > Venture capital Tier 3

Spearheaded by the ‘vastly experienced’ Neil Foster, the London-based Brown Rudnick LLP team consistently handles work across the investment lifecycle, from venture and growth capital to fundraising and complex exit strategies. Specialising in the life sciences, tech, and energy transition spheres, Foster is knowledgeable on all elements of venture capital and corporate finance. Mark Dorff represents entrepreneurs and private equity investors, and the ‘very calm’ Tim Davison is an expert in joint ventures and strategic partnerships. Sage Revell is knowledgeable in the impact investment sectors, while Tom Braiden is also a key contact.

Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail Tier 4

Drawing on extensive international experience, Brown Rudnick LLP is regularly called upon to act against major financial institutions, multinationals and sovereigns, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Securities claims under section 90 and 90a of FSMA are another area of expertise for the ‘talented and dedicated’ team. Jane Colston co-heads the group, boasting an established fraud practice, alongside Neill Shrimpton, who brings extensive offshore litigation experience to the team. The practice was strengthened with the addition in November 2023 of ‘bright, pragmatic and direct’ Derval Walsh, an expert in investment and retail banking disputes. Jessica Lee and Robin Pickworth, who joined in October 2023, are other key contacts in the team.

Industry focus > TMT Tier 4

The team at Brown Rudnick LLP handles a diverse workload, covering licensing, contracts, outsourcing of technology systems, co-ventures and joint ventures, cloud based systems and software, digital commerce, investments and exits. Practice head Neil Foster advises on a host of corporate and commercial mandates, encompassing venture capital, private equity, and corporate finance. Tim Davison is noted for his expertise in cross-border commercial work.

Real estate > Property finance Tier 5

Brown Rudnick LLP regularly acts for investment funds, real estate investment firms, and developers in asset sales and refinancings, among other real estate transactions. Tuvi Keinan – who leads the firm – boasts strong pan-European property finance experience. Tristan Dollie, described as having ‘amazing attention to detail, and excellent ability to negotiate’, is particularly experienced in restructuring senior and mezzanine land loans, while Eleni Zodiates‘ recent engagements have seen them working with a private investment firm in the global refinancing of a hospitality chain across the UK, Europe, and North America.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium Tier 6

Boasting an impressive clientele of high-net-worth individuals and multinationals, Brown Rudnick LLP regularly acts against major financial institutions. Jane Colston is a go-to litigator for fraud cases and leads the team alongside ‘very experienced commercial litigator’ Neill Shrimpton, who regularly handles disputes under Section 90 of FSMA. Jessica Lee boasts particular expertise in disputes related to digital assets. Theodore Elton is another name to note, as is Katy-Jade Church. The wider team has been strengthened by the recent additions of reputation law specialist Charlotte Harris; banking and finance dispute-focused Derval Walsh; fraud and private client specialist Robin Pickworth; and Paul Feldberg, who heads up the firm’s white collar defense practice. Thomas McDonnell has been promoted to counsel.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management