‘They are a first-class team who are responsive to our demands and requirements, available whenever needed, and always deliver commercially focused, practical advice to help us achieve our goals.’

‘In London, Steven Fox and Katherine Moir are particularly strong, with Katherine’s public M&A knowledge being crucial in an on-market transaction. They have been ably supported by Liv Higgs for many years and it was no surprise that she has been promoted to the partnership.’

‘Clifford Chance’s M&A team stands out for its exceptional technical expertise, commercial acumen, and consistently high-quality execution on complex, high-value transactions. What sets the practice apart is its seamless integration across disciplines and geographies, which enables the team to provide truly end-to-end support on cross-border deals. Their ability to combine deep legal insight with a strategic understanding of our commercial objectives was instrumental to the success of our recent transaction.’

‘The team demonstrates a strong commitment to collaboration – both internally and with us as the client – which fosters a sense of trust and confidence. They are highly responsive, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented, often anticipating issues before they arise and proposing practical, business-focused resolutions. The Clifford Chance team also stands out for its clarity of communication, even on highly technical matters, which makes working with them particularly efficient.’

‘Compared to other firms we have worked with, Clifford Chance has consistently demonstrated a level of consistency, reliability, and client focus that places them at the top of the market for premium M&A deals.’

‘Very pragmatic and solution-oriented team, able to effectively manage various internal and external stakeholders at the same time. The team was able to very effectively support us during the toughest moments of the process, always coming up with actionable solutions.’

‘The individuals we worked with at Clifford Chance were outstanding in every respect, consistently demonstrating deep expertise, sound judgment, and an impressive level of dedication. What sets them apart from competitors is their ability to combine top-tier legal knowledge with a strong commercial instinct, all while remaining approachable, responsive, and genuinely collaborative.’

‘Katherine Moir, as lead partner, was exceptional. She provided clear strategic direction throughout the transaction, balancing technical precision with commercial pragmatism. Katherine has a calm and assured presence, which was particularly valuable in navigating complex or time-sensitive moments. Her ability to distill issues and drive consensus among stakeholders was a key factor in the smooth execution of the deal.’

‘Strong, versatile team who work well with others and seek to avoid drama. Commercially aware and proactive.’

‘Tracey Lochhead absolutely outstanding. Hard worker who leads by example.’

‘As a Board, we faced a complex and existential crisis – and right from the beginning, we knew that the Linklater’s team was with us all the way. They gave us substantive advice, confidence that they had covered all the bases, always delivered what and when they said they would, and importantly, worked incredibly well with other advisers, which made it easy to work with them. The Board felt exceptionally confident having the Linklaters’ team on our side.’

‘Iain Fenn was truly exceptional. He was always a step ahead, he was calm and reassuring – but he didn’t sugarcoat the issues and risks. He was the essence of a great advisor – but never too grand to be there every step of the way. It was a privilege to work with him.’

‘Combined deep transactional expertise with a genuinely trusted advisor approach, offering clear, unvarnished counsel. Operated as a steadying hand between M&A advisors, helping drive alignment without creating unnecessary friction. Offered flexible, value-aligned billing models, including success-based elements and stage-based pricing, allowing us to better manage costs without sacrificing quality or resources.’

‘Iain Fenn was exceptional. We relied on him to test our thinking, push back where needed, and provide an honest view of risk and reward, particularly when emotions or internal dynamics cloud decision-making. Always available at any time and never afraid to give us an opinion or advice on the spot. Seen by both the Board and Executive Directors as a true sparring partner, offering calm, commercially anchored advice, particularly at the most sensitive or high-stakes moments. ’

‘Incredibly responsive and client-focused. Know the market inside-out, know the law inside-out and know how to manage relationships. The creme de la creme of corporate law firms.’

‘Namrata Shah – an absolute star. I have not had client service quite like what she provides.’

‘I am very happy to be able to work with Warwick Brennand, Sally Wokes, Simon Nicolls, and Laura Houston as the key partners I have worked with. As above, they are responsive, smart, and proactive. They have dealt with lots of different counterparties for us and navigate the different tones and personalities well. I feel very confident in their advice.’

‘We have worked with Slaughter & May on a number of M&A projects, and they have been exceptional across all of the deals. Some of the team members have been consistent across projects, but even when new associates start working with us, they are extremely well briefed and up to speed straight away. We have received excellent advice from them – they really understand our business and objectives and advise on much wider issues than strict legal points. They have really helped get deals agreed because they have been pragmatic and have been able to tell us as the client where we are being unreasonable or what sensible compromises would be.’

‘Very much take a long-term view of client relationships, focusing on partnership and mutual long-term value creation.’

‘Provides a first-class service, every time.’

‘An exceptional team handling a complicated deal in a difficult sector of the market. Their knowledge of the UK Takeover code and ability to explain difficult issues to non-legal people was outstanding.’

‘Extremely high-quality advice, always prioritising commercial considerations. Experts at handling boardroom dynamics.’

‘They are always two steps ahead of our own thinking. Not only coming up with the “standard” legal analysis, but also thinking of consequences, how we could implement, etc. Also great at making a distinction between theoretical risks and real-life exposure.’

‘The team at Slaughters delivered excellent standards of service and demonstrated a deep understanding of the issues, providing pragmatic and commercial guidance and advice.’

‘The M&A team at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer in London stands out for its exceptional responsiveness, deep commercial insight, and seamless execution. Their ability to anticipate issues and provide clear, pragmatic advice under tight timelines made a real difference in our transaction.’

‘Mehdi Tedjani’s dual qualification in both Swiss and UK law gives him a unique edge, enabling seamless navigation across cross-border M&A. His thorough understanding of both markets, combined with an unwavering client-first approach, ensures each transaction is handled with strategic insight and responsiveness.’

‘Wide-ranging expertise. Can-do attitude. Listens to the needs of the client. Team approach with the client.’

‘Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer’s M&A team brings exceptional value to complex, high-value transactions through their strategic insight, responsiveness, and deep understanding of board-level priorities. Their ability to navigate sensitive regulatory and governance issues with clarity and discretion has been particularly impactful in recent cross-border matters. The team’s collaborative approach make them a standout partner for sophisticated corporate activity, especially where discretion and precision are paramount.’

‘What sets the Herbert Smith Freehills LLP team apart is the exceptional calibre of individuals like Alex Kay, Meera Thakrar, and Sarah Ries-Coward, each of whom brings a unique blend of technical excellence, commercial insight, and calm, solutions-focused leadership.’

‘Alex offers strategic clarity and sound judgment under pressure, Meera is impressively responsive and detail-oriented, and Sarah stands out for her thoughtfulness, clear communication, and ability to manage complexity with poise and precision. Their professionalism, discretion, and seamless integration with internal teams consistently elevate the quality of support.’

‘Gavin Davies and Mark Bardell are a tremendous deal-making team, delivering for us time after time.’

‘HSFK has a truly excellent set of capabilities across M&A and general corporate advice. We have turned to them consistently on some of our most complex transactions in the UK and Europe, and they are very comfortable thinking strategically across multiple dimensions. They have become one of our most trusted advisors on PE situations.’

‘Incredible bench strength. Real quality advice in every area and you never feel you have to put up with something inferior when they call on any specialist area.’

‘Ed Barnett is in a class of his own. Quite an exceptional lawyer and advisor. Great skill and leadership ability. And is always available to clients in the right timescale and in the right way.’

‘Excellent industry knowledge and very attentive and reactive to client concerns (adapting team structure, proposing solutions, ready to work with and coordinate local lawyers when in our best interests).’

‘Experts in the industry, but willing to take time to explain things clearly – they don’t just impose their solutions but work with us to find the best ways to meet our business needs. Simon Tysoe is particularly good at this.’

‘The team is led by people whom the Board and I would trust to run the business. The firm is trustworthy and reliable, and amazingly talented at all levels, both sides of the Pond.’

‘Nick Cline and Richard Butterwick are wise, commercially astute, and incredibly responsive. We also found Sarah Gadd a joy to work with on employment law aspects.’

‘Very responsive, technically at the top of their game and very easy to deal with.’

‘Very in tune with our business requirements and they work hard to understand the things that are most important to us.’

‘Technically excellent but also very personable and easy to deal with.’

‘Ability to turn around very complex work quickly, yet very skillfully, dealing with multiple parties in different jurisdictions.’

‘They really get to know the business they are advising so that they can give pragmatic and commercial advice.’

‘The team was excellent. Lots of depth in every practice area. Worked tirelessly, and not phased about time zone differences.’

‘James Fletcher, the lead M&A partner, was excellent. Very good technically, but also commercial and good at problem solving.’

‘Very user commercial down to earth team who have all been together for some time and as a result are a pleasure to work with.’

‘What really makes Baker McKenzie’s M&A team stand out is how cohesive, approachable, and switched-on they are — from trainees to partners. Everyone is on the same page, super well-prepared, always proactive, and just a pleasure to work with. There’s no ego, just a strong sense of collaboration and commitment to doing great work together.’

‘One of the biggest strengths, especially in high-value and complex deals, is the support from their legal project management team. It makes everything run smoother — from timelines to deliverables — and keeps things clear and efficient, which saves a lot of time and stress.’

‘The team is great at anticipating our needs, flagging key issues early, and making sure we have the right information when we need it — no chasing or confusion.’

‘Beyond the technical capability (which is top-tier), what really makes a difference is their energy and mindset. They’re reliable, sharp, and kind — always with a good attitude and a genuine team spirit. It’s the kind of team you’re genuinely happy to work with, even on the most intense deals.’

‘Working with Baker McKenzie’s M&A team is genuinely a pleasure, and the individuals I collaborate with regularly stand out not only for their technical excellence but also for their attitude, availability, and ability to integrate seamlessly with in-house teams.’

‘David Scott is one of the best M&A partners I’ve worked with. He brings deep experience to even the most challenging and high-pressure deals. What makes him unique is his ability to quickly identify potential red flags — even those not yet fully developed — and offer practical, proactive solutions that help avoid issues down the line without derailing the main workstream.’

‘Ryan Howlett is consistently excellent — knowledgeable, responsive, and very easy to work with. He’s calm under pressure, clear in his advice, and has a great ability to adapt to changing needs while keeping things moving.’

‘Together, they form the kind of external team every in-house counsel wants: technically strong, collaborative, efficient, and genuinely enjoyable to work with.’

‘A diverse team that can handle truly unique problems. There were no precedents not only for our deal but for most of the contracts drafted. Highly technical lawyers who can handle any problem.’

‘The Cleary team seamlessly blends commercial awareness, legal knowledge, and interpersonal savvy in a way that gets deals done. I would have no hesitation in recommending them.’

‘I have never met a Cleary lawyer who was not operating at the top of their game – and we have used them for years in numerous countries. In London, I would call our Nick Rumsby and Nallini Puri, plus senior associate Julian Ried – all smart, aware, and incredibly committed to us as their client. ’

‘The team’s extensive transactional experience, coupled with their unwavering commitment, dedication, and sharp business acumen, makes Cleary’s practice truly unique and irreplaceable.’

‘Nallini Puri is truly outstanding. She played a pivotal role in a major transaction, acting as my right arm throughout. Her tireless dedication, sharp business sense, and creative problem-solving were invaluable. Nallini consistently brought fresh ideas and a commercial mindset that helped us navigate complex challenges with confidence.’

‘CMS have provided an exceptional service to us, through very strong technical expertise combined with very strong commercial awareness. They have been invaluable to us over the last 18 months.’

‘James Parkes has been incredibly helpful, making sure that CMS can help facilitate the wide range of transactions we have been through in the last 2 years. He has always been available, whatever the time or date, and has always given very helpful and sound advice.’

‘Kieran O’Brien has repeatedly gone above and beyond for us, helping us achieve some extremely tight deadlines, always in the most professional and thorough way. He has been the key contact for us on a day-to-day basis.’

‘Extremely commercial and client-oriented. I have found them to be forward-looking and spotting challenges coming down the road.’

‘Howard Corney is outstanding. Available, insightful, and gets things done. We trust him.’

‘Our go-to firm for UK matters.’

‘Tom Rose, who led the transaction, is exceptionally clever and thorough in his work. He is also an excellent communicator, both with the home team and in negotiations with the other side.’

‘The Weil team provides the best corporate law experience in London. I have worked with corporate teams at most of the leading London law firms, and Weil is second to none.’

‘David Avery-Gee is the highest quality corporate counsel in London. In addition, he has been able to build a highly effective team around him.’

‘David McKendrick deserves a special mention for his technical expertise, outstanding service efficiency and commercial nous. Clearly a star in the making.’

‘The team is all top class, meets very tight deadlines with all the diligence you would expect.’

‘Chris Haynes is the standout partner that always delivers and is a truly trusted advisor.’

‘Subject matter experts, quality work, good responsiveness.’

‘I was consistently impressed by the team’s technical ability, commercial judgement, and pragmatism. Their understanding of the regulatory landscape, combined with the practical approach and sheer hard work, was instrumental in navigating a challenging process at speed.’

‘Chris Haynes and Sarah Leiper-Jennings both brought the right mix of deep legal expertise and practical, solution-focused thinking; both extremely approachable and responsive, and happy to deliver at pace. Chris, Sarah and the entire team were instrumental in delivering a successful outcome for us.’

‘Responsive, experienced, and willing to be pragmatic.’

‘Chris Haynes – commerciality, responsiveness, ability to connect us with other practice areas in the firm.

‘An absolute pleasure to work with a team that is so pragmatic, solution-minded and skilled.’

‘I have worked with the NRF team on several deals in the last year, including private M&A, capital markets fundraising, and an AIM takeover. What strikes me about the team is the strong level of trust, respect, and collaboration, particularly between senior and junior colleagues.’

‘Stephen Rigby has provided consistently excellent support to our business over many years. He is a trusted voice around the board table on a range of matters.’

‘The NRF team has expertise in public M&A transactions, and is a preferred adviser for a lot of investment banks due to their wealth of experience acting for banks across the sector.’

‘Paul Whitelock’s knowledge of the Takeover Code, experience with the Panel and understanding of market practice, together with his pragmatism and commercial understanding of banking clients, makes him a top-notch adviser. He is my go-to adviser for all Code transactions.’

‘Kit McCarthy has a deep understanding of how the Panel works from his secondment there, and adds huge value to any Code deal with his experience.’

‘Nic Sirtoli is very knowledgeable and a safe pair of hands.’

‘I recommend Paul Whitelock and Kit McCarthy for their Takeover Code expertise.’

‘The White & Case M&A team is one of the few US firms that has a sizeable presence in the London market. For public M&A, they provide a really interesting proposition for us in that they are as “plugged in” as a magic circle firm is for the FTSE100, but rather than focusing on advising the listed companies, White & Case also advises the investors and activist shareholders. It gives them a really different perspective, and they can be adaptive to our more aggressive approach to listed company matters.’

‘Patrick Sarch is their heavyweight public M&A partner, and who we have dealt with most. He is a proper “boardroom operator” in the classic sense. Very reassuring and our board has really enjoyed its interactions with him. He seemingly knows everything and everyone in the world of public M&A. Very calm, reassuring but with the deep knowledge to back it up.’

‘We were always assisted and advised in a swift, extremely professional and competent manner. The development of fees was monitored and any deviations have been documented precisely.’

‘It is always a great pleasure to work with Hyder Jumabhoy. He always acts as the contact person and coordinates the rest of the W&C team. Therefore, you are always in contact with a partner of W&C and this partner has the full picture. Hyder does also a great job in advising not only inhouse counsels of the client but also giving guidance to the management in an understandable language and with business interests in mind.’

‘Depth of knowledge, availability, turnaround time: these are the very important plus points of the White & Case team.’

‘Depth of knowledge in their respective fields is certainly a strength of the individuals with whom we dealt in the team.’

‘Patrick Sarch is fantastic – great presence which reassures the board and advisors. Loads of experience in M&A and disclosure matters and great to work with.’

‘As a team, they combine all the qualities you could wish for in your legal advisor: charming but tough when it matters, efficient but thorough, ahead of the curve and armed with cutting-edge, up to date market info, not afraid of complexity (instead, they relish it) and – most importantly – they are fantastic fun to work with.’

‘Great to work with – very collaborative approach and much better than previous magic circle firm on these types of transaction. Felt like a real extension of the internal team.’

‘Dan Simons and Francesca Parker are both stand-outs. Very slick and user-friendly.’

‘As well as being knowledgeable and practical, the team is collaborative and proactive.’

‘The team is well-suited to working with companies that have different structures and challenges and go above and beyond to help manage issues that arise, which are out of the initial project scope.’

‘A leading M&A practice in the City led by strong and commercial partners, supported by high-quality associates.’

‘Dan Simons is an excellent trusted advisor, very strong technically but also commercial, and a skilled negotiator.’

‘The team at Hogan Lovells assisted our business over a number of months. They quickly understood our business and had relevant industry experience. They made themselves available at all times and when different areas of expertise were needed, they were able to call on a significant bank of knowledge.’

‘The team were flexible, embedded within our business and were sage advisers at a critical point in time. Advice was comprehensive and clear. The standout strength was collaboration.’

‘The Jones Day team provides a partnership approach. They proactively find solutions and look to work as a team rather than acting on instructions.’

‘Vica Irani – Vica provides an unparalleled level of service. She is strong on overall transaction strategy as well as being across the details. She is able to negotiate and find solutions to complex issues and provides a collaborative approach.’

‘Julian Runnicles – I dealt with Julian on a MIP. Julian is incredibly bright and is able to quickly understand commercial issues and propose solutions which are both practical and easily understood.’

‘This is a high-powered team of professionals. High ethical standards, and committed to providing the best solutions and services to their clients. They operate a diverse and global team, which enables great innovative and creative solutions with speed and efficiency. Jones Day has taken every one of my challenges and delivered against it. Simply outstanding.’

‘Open to new challenges and ideas. Ready to take on any challenge. Very deep knowledge and solid bench.’

‘The team as a whole operates with professionalism, integrity, and a collaborative spirit, which makes working with them not only effective but genuinely enjoyable.’

‘I truly value their client-first mentality, their ability to anticipate risks, and their clear communication, which are all essential qualities in today’s fast-paced and demanding legal environment.’

‘The individuals I work with at Milbank consistently stand out for their deep legal expertise, strategic thinking, and a rare ability to approach complex matters creatively, without losing sight of practical business objectives. What differentiates them from other firms is not only their technical competence—which is excellent—but also their commercial awareness and their willingness to think outside the box to achieve the best outcomes for their clients.’

‘In particular, I would highlight Lisa O’ Neill, whose ability to quickly grasp the nuances of a matter and translate them into actionable legal and business strategies is exceptional. She combines legal precision with a pragmatic mindset, making even the most complex issues manageable and solution-driven.’

‘Among the associates, Drew MacDonald has also impressed me with his responsiveness, attention to detail, and proactive approach.’

‘We appreciate the firm’s proactive approach, clarity of advice, and capacity to deliver under pressure. Whether advising on regulatory, transactional, or litigation matters, the team consistently provides practical, solution-oriented counsel that adds real business value.’

‘The client experience is based on a hands-on, partner-led model, which ensures that even the most complex issues are addressed in depth and at a senior level. Other firms that we’ve worked with rely heavily on junior support, while this team blends senior leadership with associate talent to deliver exceptional outcomes efficiently and cost-effectively.’

‘The lawyers I have worked with consistently demonstrate a combination of technical excellence, sound judgment, and personal integrity that sets them apart. What distinguishes them most is their ability to deliver clear, commercial advice under pressure — always grounded in a deep understanding of both legal nuance and practical implications for the client.’

‘Deep knowledge, applied in a pragmatic way precisely when needed by the client.’

‘Matthew Poxon is a stand-out leader in his field. Able to navigate complex issues with common sense, prioritising the practical needs of the client as opposed to pursuing legal points for the sake of it.’

‘Matthew Calvert is an exceptional senior associate. Committed to his client’s cause and always demonstrates an ability to balance commercial objectives with appropriate management of legal risk.’

‘What stood out with the team was their deep bench of technical expertise paired with a commercial mindset. In the M&A transactions we worked with PH, they demonstrated not only a command of the legal landscape but also an ability to tailor their advice to our business priorities and risk appetite.’ 

‘Compared to other firms we’ve worked with, this team was more cohesive and efficient in their execution. They managed complex cross-border elements seamlessly, communicated clearly and promptly, and were always a step ahead in anticipating issues. Their strength lies not only in individual excellence but also in how well they function as a unit.’

‘From a client perspective, the combination of strong technical lawyering with practical, business-aware advice is a key differentiator. Their collaborative approach—across internal teams and with us as the client—was constructive and solutions-oriented.’

‘The individuals we worked with were not only technically excellent but also pragmatic, responsive, and consistently calm under pressure. What distinguished them from competitors was their ability to understand the strategic context behind each deal and tailor their advice accordingly.’

‘David Prowse, in particular, was exceptional. He struck a balance between being hands-on and empowering his team. His judgment was consistently sound, and his ability to distill complex legal issues into actionable choices for the business was invaluable.’

‘Strong expertise in M&A advice, negotiation, and support.’

‘Expert, available, hardworking.’

‘Ella Sharpley – great grasp of not just legal detail, but when to come in on discussions with value-add, when to accommodate commercial asks, how to get a deal to close. Highly recommend her.’

‘The team at Travers Smith is incredibly cohesive — information, responsibility, and ownership around client projects are all shared, so every member of the team from top to bottom is in the loop and well situated to assist, and nothing falls through the cracks. Travers also builds deep relationships with their clients, so they truly understand the business needs and the context around projects clients are undertaking. Multiple partners are engaged in each client relationship, and senior associates are routinely groomed to take on significant relationship roles; as such, there is easy continuity from one project to the next and over the lifetime of a relationship.’

‘Travers lawyers are bright, business-minded, up to date on the latest legal developments, and pragmatic in their approach. I have had particularly good experiences with Tom Hartwright, Emma Havas, Adam Orr, and Will Yates.’

‘The really winning attribute enjoyed by this Travers Smith team is a clarity of communication – and clear advice in relation to key decision-making. We have dealt with various combinations of the team, and the relationships between partners, seniors, associates, and trainees appear to be cohesive and trusting – and consequently, the quality of output and the detail of the analysis is up there with the strongest firms in our experience.’

‘Ben Lowen is a stand-out performer. He has exceptional technical strength, is very level-headed and knows the Takeover Code inside-out.’

‘Beyond the deep command of legal and regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions, the firm has consistently demonstrated a rare ability to grasp the broader business implications of legal decisions. Your counsel has not only ensured rigorous compliance with complex international standards but also reflected a nuanced understanding of market dynamics, strategic priorities, and operational realities — a combination that has made them an invaluable partner in navigating the interconnected legal and business landscape in which we operate.’

‘Camille Abousleiman has extensive and in-depth knowledge in this area.’

‘We definitely also single out James Stonehill for his expertise, dedication and quality of service which we value as being instrumental.’

‘We enjoyed dedicated advice from a capable team. While based out of London, the corporate team fitted into a wider international Mayer Brown team, ideally suited to our complicated needs: with capital from Asia, an HQ in New York, debt coming from Paris, and investments in Germany.’

‘Richard Page and Al Dolman, the two partners, offered deeply considered advice and maintained a high level of service throughout the project, which went through several deviations in the early stages and had to overcome various obstacles.’

‘They are well resourced and client focussed.’

‘They are particularly adept on complex, large value transactions that require lengthy negotiation and corporate structuring (including joint ventures).’

‘A highly regarded and commercially minded M&A team who are very responsive to our needs and are familiar with our particular M&A requirements. The team provide commercially focussed, timely and insightful legal advice with flexible billing arrangements. ’

‘Amazing team, which is both highly technical and pragmatic / business-oriented. They are also very client-centric, super eager to understand our constraints to address them properly and very reactive.’

‘Kate Ball-Dodd was a superstar, full of energy and drive to plough through no matter what came up along the journey. Kate is very smart, spot on with her advice everything. Kate gets deals done.’

‘The team did great work in a complicated multijurisdictional private equity transaction that had multiple unexpected twists thrown into the process. They provided great support throughout and were great problem solvers.’

‘Stuart Alford was a great presence on the team, very calm, thoughtful, and measured throughout with high-quality advice and produced diligent work products.’

‘Great availability and engagement. Top-level work.’

‘Despite significant time zone differences, Andrew Boyd and his colleagues were always available to discuss the deal or respond to emails. Andrew can fight hard or be more commercial, as we wanted, depending on the news.’