Teacher Stern LLP‘s corporate and commercial practice is adept in domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, private equity investments and exits, and joint ventures, as well as corporate restructuring, management buyouts, and corporate real estate transactions. Co-leading the team are David Ponsford and Kelly Whitfield, both of whom specialise in mergers, acquisitions, and disposals. Ponsford’s focus also extends to equity fundraising, shareholders’ agreements, reorganisations, and equity capital markets transactions. Claire Rollo stands out for her breadth of practice, covering M&A transactions, joint ventures and private equity deals, and corporate real estate. Other notable names in the group include Arran Brooker and Sing Li.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘This team consistently delivers exceptional work while maintaining a remarkable ability to adapt to the specific needs of each client.’

  • ‘The partners demonstrate exceptional responsiveness and a genuine willingness to share their extensive industry knowledge. Their collaborative and considerate approach, coupled with a practical focus, makes them an absolute pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘David Ponsford is our go-to partner for corporate and M&A matters. He gives advice that truly advises and listens not only to the surface level questions but to the deeper level of clients’ needs.’

  • ‘David is always responsive and knows how to coordinate different teams for cross-disciplinary matters, ensuring seamless collaboration.’

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Key clients

  • Arena Online
  • Aurora Managed Services Group
  • Babbo Restaurant
  • Champneys
  • Civitas Sutton
  • CoreLogic
  • Continent 8
  • Duke & Dexter
  • Event Horizon Entertainment Limited
  • El Al Airways
  • Fidelity Energy
  • Fidelity Group
  • Football Writers Association
  • Ganfeng Lithium
  • Genius Sports Group
  • Gloucester Property Group
  • J2P Autos
  • Louder Entertainment Limited
  • Metroline
  • Moog Controls
  • Ostique Limited
  • PMY Group
  • Pozitive Energy
  • Sports Invest UK
  • Thackeray Estates
  • The Malachite Group Limited
  • The Sussex Trust
  • Wow Beauty
  • Wow Workspaces

Work highlights

  • Advised on the sale of the business and assets of Event Horizon Entertainment Limited.
  • Acted for Cardiff Road Estates Ltd on its business and asset sale of student accommodation in Cardiff.
  • Acted for Louder Entertainment Ltd on the buy and build strategy for this independent music promotion and live entertainment business, acquiring numerous brands, together with a part share in a nightclub located in Brighton.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

David Ponsford, Kelly Whitfield

Other key lawyers

Claire Rollo, Arran Brooker, Sing Li