Life sciences and tech sector expert Martin Penn and regional listed company specialist Robert Newman jointly head up DLA Piper’s UK-wide ECM team, which advises both issuers and underwriters on a broad array of domestic and international IPOs, secondary fundraises, and take-private transactions. The team is well-regarded for its work advising foreign and dual-listed clients on IPOs and redomiciliations, and its recent workload also includes handling a series of emergency fundraisings on AIM. Russell Holden, who joined the firm in July 2023 from a previous position at Taylor Wessing LLP, is a key contact for advice on AIM IPOs as well as public M&A, and Karin Kirschner stands out for her extensive experience handling takeovers and mergers of listed entities.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Particularly impressed by pragmatism, client focus, and humanity. I can’t think of better legal people to spend so much time with on complex, intensive matters.'

Key clients

  • HUTCHMED (China) Limited
  • YouGov plc
  • Keywords Studios plc
  • CVS Group plc
  • Learning Technologies Group plc
  • Accesso Technology Group plc
  • Science Group
  • Netcall plc
  • Watkin Jones plc
  • Knights Group plc
  • Eurasia Mining
  • Intercede Group plc
  • Mothercare plc
  • Staffline Group plc
  • Zoo Digital plc
  • European Metal Holdings
  • Alien Metals Limited
  • Angelsey Mining plc
  • Chamberlin plc
  • Fusion Antibodies plc
  • i-Nexus Global plc
  • Safestyle UK plc
  • Deutsche Numis
  • Panmure Liberum
  • Peel Hunt
  • Singer Capital Markets
  • Cavendish
  • Allenby Capital
  • Abry Partners
  • Equistone Partners

Work highlights

  • Advised YouGov plc on the €315m acquisition of GfK CP, which was partly funded by a £51.2m ABB placing.
  • Advised Tintra plc (now Tintra Limited) on a tender offer and de-listing.
  • Advised Zoo Digital plc on a secondary fundraise  by way of an ABB placing and retail offer.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Martin Penn, Robert Newman

Other key lawyers

Russell Holden, Karin Kirschner, Alex Tamlyn