With a strong sector focus on agriculture, retail, sports, and entertainment, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner boasts a team of specialists capable of handling high-value, multijurisdictional work. Practice head Benjamin Lee is noted for his expertise in M&A, disposals, and public takeovers, particularly in the private equity and venture capital spaces. Real estate expert John Bennett is recommended for his capabilities in public and private M&A, joint ventures, and restructuring. The ‘responsive’ and ’solutions driven’ Jinal Shah concentrates on cross-border transactions for clients from the retail, transport, and telecoms sectors, while Andrew Hart specialises in assisting clients from highly regulated sectors such as digital infrastructure and financial services. Russell Van Praagh – noted for his PE focus – joined the team from Osborne Clarke LLP in November 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘It is a full-service operation, with all the relevant specialities, but all managed by the corporate team to contain interactions and reduce pressure on in house counsel.’
‘Jinal Shah is very responsive, solutions driven, smart, and supportive.’
‘The BCLP M&A team are personable, approachable, and have strong partners. They work seamlessly alongside their clients as part of a wider in-house, are commercial and practical, and add-value by providing expertise and common sense solutions to problems. The BCLP M&A team are tuned-into their clients needs, staffing their teams appropriately with SMEs and partners when needed, and use appropriate levels of staffing to have a lean and effective team. BCLP are keen on diversity and provide equal opportunities to their staff, meaning a good diverse mix of associates are able to experience quality work leading to good quality and experienced associates in the M&A team.’
‘Andrew Hart is a standout partner who is always available, approachable, and practical. He provides technical expertise and excellent support to his clients in deals. Andrew is very experienced at leading deals and working through problematic issues with a sensible and collaborative attitude. He builds great relationships with his clients and his own BCLP team members, which is clear in the way he is respected and valued by his own associates. Working with Andrew is always a pleasure as you know you are in a safe pair of hands to get a deal done! ’
‘The BCLP team we work with is interesting in that it is particularly well suited to transactions that require flexibility and tact. The team is highly responsive and can adapt to any situation. It can operate in a reduced, commando-type configuration while maintaining an impressive level of quality and detail.’
‘Jinal Shah is excellent and has demonstrated an outstanding ability to navigate the complex ramifications of cross-border M&A cases. His calm and finesse are very powerful weapons in a potentially hostile environment. ’
Key clients
- Lumen Technologies
- Driscoll’s Inc.
- Voneus Broadband
- Industrials REIT Limited
- Go Global Travel Limited
- IS Dongseo Co. Ltd
- Atrato Partners and Atrato Halliwell
- LXi REIT plc
- Burstone Group
- Fattal Hotel Group
- Newmark Group, Inc.
- Angel Trains Limited
- Axiom European Financial Debt Fund
Work highlights
- Advised Lumen Technologies on the merger control and investment screening aspects of its exclusive arrangement for the proposed sale of Lumen's EMEA business to Colt Technology Services for $1.8 billion.
- Advised LXi REIT on a £6.2 billion merger with LondonMetric property to create the UK’s fourth largest REIT.
- Advised Driscoll’s as part of consortium to acquire Costa Group for A$2.5 billion.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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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.
Benjamin Lee