We regularly assist private companies on all aspects of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. We work across numerous industry sectors, from the acquisition of financial services firms, to advising on the takeover of a family funeral business. Our clients include purchasers and sellers.
A partner-led service
We offer a partner-led service on all M&A activity, and bring our business acumen to every deal. As a result, clients benefit from our strategic expertise as well as our legal advice.
All our corporate lawyers know where the pitfalls are likely to be in M&A deals, and can reduce clients’ exposure, minimise risk and ease deal execution by anticipating issues that may arise.
We regularly work with clients on management buy-outs and management buy-ins, and also with family-owned businesses. We can therefore pre-empt and advise on the particular issues that can crop up in these situations.
Typical issues arising in a deal
We give high-quality, pragmatic support on a range of issues that are typically on the table in current M&A activity, such as:
- structuring consideration payments, including deferred consideration
- earn-out deals and locked-box mechanisms
- warranties and indemnities as appropriate
- limitation provisions
- confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
- due diligence disclosures.
In addition, we can support acquirers with all legal aspects of due diligence and post-deal integration planning.
A holistic approach to M&A
Being a full-service firm, we look at mergers & acquisitions holistically. Our corporate team work closely with specialist colleagues on a range of issues relevant to each deal, for example raising finance; intellectual property matters; employment contracts or other employment issues; and commercial property.
