Recognised for its commitment to understanding ‘the unique challenges and opportunities that each client faces,’ the corporate practice at Shoosmiths LLP is capable of handling complex multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions and advising on private equity and venture capital growth. The group has a deep experience acting in a variety of sectors including private equity, healthcare, and real estate. Ben Turner leads the department and is an expert in buy- and sell-side M&A deals, restructurings, and fundraisings, as well as private equity transactions. Venture capital and technology sector authority Steve Barnett is noted for his aptitude advising on venture and growth capital investments and M&A. Oliver Pilkington and Nick McCarthy focus on equity capital markets, while Elizabeth Ward and Kiran Dhesi stand out for their specialism in private equity.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Elizabeth Ward is amazing. She has a wealth of experience and is one of the smartest people when it comes to PE backed deals. She knows her stuff and there is no one you would rather have support you as a client.’
‘Real strength in depth across the team, all begins with the quality of the senior partners and cascades down. At this end of the market you need sensible, commercial and pragmatic lawyers who get things done yet don't compromise of the quality of the "legals" - they excel here.’
‘Shoosmiths stands out because it knows M&A law inside and out, but it also really understands the business side of things. This means they're not just good lawyers; they're also savvy about the business world, which is a big plus when you're working through complex deals.’
- ‘This team really takes the time to understand what the top executives really need—even the things they might not say out loud. They're great negotiators who know when to push and when to compromise, making sure their clients come out ahead.’
‘The team at Shoosmiths not only grasps the legal details but the whole business picture. This approach helps in crafting strategies that aren't just legally sound, but also advantageous from a business standpoint. They're not the kind to just jump in and out of a deal.’
- ‘Steve Barnett has been instrumental in several of our major negotiations, where his ability to anticipate our needs and the moves of the opposing side has proven invaluable. David Meisel also deserves mention for his meticulous attention to detail and his proactive approach.’
‘The team were superb. They were fully resourced, there were experts for the different areas we needed, they were commercial, the advice was great - and we could not have had a better team nor completed it without them.’
‘Oliver Pilkington was exceptional.’
Key clients
- Ten Entertainment Group plc
- Smoove plc
- Harwood Capital/Harwood Private Equity
- Rothschild & Co. – Five Arrows
- Foresight Group LLP
- Lightpoint Medical Limited
- Dotdigital Group plc
- Telent Technology Services Limited
- Cavendish
- Zeus Capital
Work highlights
- Acting for Ten Entertainment Group plc on its proposed £287 million takeover by US private equity firm Trive Capital.
- Acted as advisers to Rotala Group Ltd and its shareholders on a complex takeover of Rotala Plc.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Ben Turner