Adopting a ‘commercial’ approach, The Wilkes Partnership practice specialises in complex management buyouts, cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. The team is headed by the ’extremely efficient’ Gareth O’Hara, who is an expert in business and asset sales. Rick Smyth is knowledgeable on tax reorganisations and restructurings, and Kate Hackett primarily focuses on asset and share acquisitions. Jeremy Parkin and Helen Smart are also key members.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I can always rely on Rick Smyth get to the heart of a business issue (not just the legal aspects) and come up with a creative solution that works for all parties. A skilled negotiator and trusted adviser to business owners.’
‘Gareth O'Hara: exceptional customer care/understanding, extremely efficient and total honesty with fees.’
‘I would strongly recommend partner Gareth O'Hara and solicitor Christie Nelson. Christie is very hard-working, and we trust her to complete any assignments we have. Both Gareth and Christie get to know their clients and have helped our business complete two large transactions over the past 10 years.’
‘Lucy Freeman (associate) has a calm manner, is well-organised and gets things done.’
‘Rick Smyth is able to effectively communicate complex legal issues in a clear and understandable way.’
‘Matt Hartas embodies the firm's approach - pragmatic, with risks explained and mitigated as appropriate.’
Key clients
- Wesleyan Bank Limited
- Johnsons Cars Limited
- PPS Equipment Holdings
- Benx Limited
- Star Group Live
- Cotswold BMW
- Wake Power Distribution Limited
- Dennis Eagle Limited
- VIAD
- J S Wright
- HIA International Limited
- Niclen GmbH
- Stabila Messgeräte Gustav
- Ullrich GmbH
- Böcker AG
- TruVenturo GmbH
- Polytec AMR GmbH & Co KG
- Huber Car Park Systems
- International GmbH
- Pravida Bau GmbH
- Fountains Forestry UK Limited
- The Service Response Group
- China Industries Limited
- Strongs Plastic Products
- Clive Smith and Lee Gripton
- Bluevest Capital Partners Limited
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Gareth O'Hara