Withers LLP

Client Satisfaction

Covering early-stage investment rounds, high-value equity investments, and complex corporate restructuring, the Withers LLP team has a ‘good handle of various sectors’, demonstrating significant strength in the AI and biotech spheres. Splitting his time between London and Cambridge, the practice is headed up by James Shaw, who specialises in assisting start-ups, primarily in the environmental biology arena. Also based in Cambridge, Susanna Stanfield is an expert on spin-outs and venture capital issues, while Sarah Melaney concentrates on scaleups and exits. Phil Robinson acts on both the company and investor sides. Neil Jones is also recommended. All lawyers are London-based unless otherwise stated.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team were able to support me with international enquiries and put me in touch with other legal counsel in other territories really quickly. When it came to a deal with a US company they were quickly able to get US counsel on board and get the information I needed within 24 hours to continue my deal. Expertise across countries and strong in technology and startups.'
‘I work with Sarah Melaney. She is incredibly responsive and gives me confidence with each exchange. A very strong can-do attitude and aligns the priorities with mine to keep everything slowing. High standards of work and control of deals. Sarah can tackle anything and is always around to give sound advice. What I believe being true legal counsel is about rather than transaction in nature.’
‘Phil Robinson is accessible, thoughtful, considerate to my business needs and budget limitations. He gives our venture excellent practical advice.’
‘Susanna Stanfield heads the corporate practice in Cambridge and is highly regarded, having advised on the drafting of the newly revised BVCA model venture investment documentation.’
‘Fluidity to the team's deal making ability, born out of a deep understanding of the dynamics of a VC lead investment round.’
‘Sarah Melaney has to be one of, of not the best in this space. She's like having a great co-founder with deep VC experience rather than external legal counsel.’
‘While we have a primary point of contact, there is always a team supporting our work, and unbelievably almost round the clock access to an individual collaborating with us. The team is well versed beyond the UK, has a good handle of various sectors, is considered with their projects, and efficient when liaising with us.’
‘Sarah Melaney has truly been a partner beyond legal. She thinks strategically at a firm level for us as well as how to best protect our interests while being fair to founders in our portfolio. She’s very commercial, works well with other lawyers / firms when necessary, and is always available. She’s been very helpful across both UK and US law, and we trust her to always take a good look at the fine print.’

Key clients

ETF Partners
Generation Phoenix
Molten Ventures
Lede.AI
Early Health
Ananda Ventures
Nature Metrics
Lick Home Ltd
At One Ventures
WNWN Food Labs
EntoCycle Inc
Orderly Transition
Nature Alpha
Opto Biosystems

Work highlights

Advised ETF Partners - the international syndicate of impact investors - on a $50m equity investment into Open Cosmos Ltd, a global satellite and space technology company.
Advised Molten Ventures as lead investor in Cambridge-based Riverlane's £15 million Series B funding round, with participation from Cambridge Innovation Capital and Amadeus Capital.
Advised Generation Phoenix, an advanced sustainable materials company, on its corporate restructuring as well as their subsequent Series B investment round.