One of the acknowleged leading individuals in the field of LLP and partnership law in the UK. He advises professional services firms on the full range of issues and is frequently instructed on the most difficult partnership disputes. He also specialises in mergers and de-mergers, the acquisition of professional services firms, partnership downsizing, governance, structuring and internal arrangements. He has wide experience in the management of distressed partnerships, and assisting in the use of partnerships and LLPs in finance, insurance, media, real estate and private equity. William has been at the forefront of advising law firms and other commercial organisations on the advent of alternative business structures under the Legal Services Act 2007. William frequently lectures and commentates on all issues concerning professional services firms and is leading the Group’s response to the opportunities provided by the Legal Services Act 2007. He is Chairman of the Association of Partnership Practitioners and is one of The Times Law 100 Panel of leading practitioners. William previously practised at the Bar.
England - London • Corporate and commercial
Addleshaw Goddard
The ‘full-service’ partnership practice at Addleshaw Goddard has an ’excellent reputation’ for advising on all aspects of partnership and limited liability partnership law including high value and cross-border transactional work, advisory work, investigations, and contentious matters such as partner exits and allegations of misconduct. Heading up the professional practices group is William Wastie who offers a broad practice relating to large international mergers, governance issues, partnership and LLP disputes as well as disciplinary investigations involving regulators such as the SRA and FCA. The ‘star’ lawyer Aster Crawshaw, who was recently elected as senior partner, is ’knowledgeable, accessible and approachable’ and specialises in M&A, international structuring including network and Swiss Verein structures. Noted by peers in the market is Jonathan Cheney who has considerable experience advising on international and domestic mergers, reorganisations, joint ventures and contentious exits of partners from professional services firms, especially in the financial services industry. ‘Standout’ associate Jonathan Cakebread and Ben Sanderson are other key lawyers.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The technical expertise of the team coupled with their deep understanding of the market and our business makes them our go-to team for partnership work.’
‘A great team of lawyers to work with. They have helped us successfully navigate everything from strategic issues to individual partner matters with pragmatism and sensitivity.’
‘The team has a particular focus on professional services firms and partnerships and so understands our structure well and the regulatory framework in which we operate.’
‘Aster Crawshaw is a very personable partner who treats his associates with respect and so you really get a really collegiate and inclusive team experience. Lauren Sinclair-Williams and Johnny Cakebread have been standout associates on transactions.’
‘The partnership practice has an excellent reputation. Following a recommendation, my firm instructed it for the first time in 2022 and I would not hesitate to instruct the team again. Its main strength is that it is one of the 'go to' firms for partnership work.’
‘Aster Crawshaw is a star. He is knowledgeable, accessible and approachable. It is no surprise that he has been appointed as Addleshaws' new Senior Partner. Supporting Aster was Benedict Sanderson who was very calm and demonstrated a high level of attention to detail.’
'The team has an extensive knowledge of the regulatory landscape for patent/trade mark firms. This includes domestic and international practices. They are also very approachable and the quality of advice is very commercial. Jonathan Cheney and Jonathan Cakebread are very knowledgeable.'
'They are very experienced in LLP structures, have seen multiple scenarios and can therefore advise on practical outcomes of particular clauses, structures, etc. Jonathan Cheney is able to balance competing views and find pragmatic solutions.'
Key clients
- Gerald Eve LLP
- Moore Kingston Smith LLP
- D Young & Co LLP
- Montagu Evans LLP
- Gill Jennings & Every LLP
- Miller Insurance Services LLP
Work highlights
- Advised Gerald Eve LLP on its cross-border sale to Newmark Group in a deal which involved incorporating a partner-owned LLP into a listed US business.
- Advised Moore Kingston Smith LLP on its development objectives and investment opportunities, including an investment into the business by Waterland Private Equity.
- Acted for Montagu Evans LLP and undertook a full review and redraft of the property consultancy's LLP agreement and other constitutional documents, advising on the firm's governance structure and profit sharing arrangements.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Jon is a partner in the Professional Practices Group and advises on a broad range of partnership and LLP issues, including LLP conversions, mergers and de-mergers and joint ventures, as well as partnership disputes. He advises businesses in all sectors of the professional services industry and is noted for his expertise concerning the financial services sector.
Aster is a partner in Addleshaw Goddard’s professional practices group, described as ‘pre-eminent in terms of overall experience and depth of resource’ by the ‘Legal 500’. Aster advises professional practices on governance, structuring, partner and risk management issues, with a particular emphasis on international structuring matters. He also advises on mergers, acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and LLP conversions (both from general partnerships and limited companies). In addition, he works with businesses in the financial services sector, including hedge funds and private equity houses on partnership and the use of LLPs and partnerships.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
William Wastie