Corporate Lawyers

At JMW, our corporate department provides expert practical advice on all aspects of buying, selling, structuring and investing in businesses. Whether you are a startup, a well-established company or part of a larger group, JMW's corporate lawyers deliver expert guidance tailored to the unique needs of your organisation. With a strong emphasis on long-term growth and success, our partner-led team works closely with you, offering practical legal counsel across a diverse range of corporate matters.

Our corporate practice is designed to support your business through every stage of its journey. From drafting shareholder agreements and articles of association to managing business transactions and ensuring compliance with corporate governance regulations, our commercial lawyers bring a wealth of experience to each client engagement. We understand that each business is unique, which is why our approach is always tailored to your specific requirements, and this ensures that you receive the best possible legal advice for your situation.

Whether you are looking to restructure your business, navigate cross-border transactions, or establish a joint venture, JMW's corporate team is here to provide the expertise and support you need. We pride ourselves on our ability to handle the legal side of your business with precision and care, and this is why we have such a strong and proven track record of delivering results for our clients.

Find out how we can help you and your business today by speaking to our corporate lawyers on 0345 872 6666, or allow us to call you back by completing our online contact form.

Our Corporate Law Services

At JMW, our corporate team stands out for its solution-driven approach, which is underpinned by extensive experience and a deep understanding of corporate law in the UK. We pride ourselves on our ability to serve a diverse range of clients, including owner-managed businesses, SMEs, and private companies. As a law firm, our focus is on delivering practical, commercially viable solutions that align with your business objectives and help drive growth.

Our expertise covers a wide spectrum of corporate law services, tailored to meet the specific needs of your business:

• Acquisitions and disposals: We guide businesses through the intricacies of buying or selling companies and business assets. Our team ensures that all parties involved understand the legal and financial implications, which makes the process as smooth and efficient as possible.
• Restructurings and reorganisations: Whether you are seeking growth, improving efficiency or responding to financial challenges, our corporate team assists with strategic restructuring to optimise your business structure and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Private equity (PE) and venture capital: JMW provides expert advice on investment negotiations, funding rounds and financial arrangements. We cater to both companies seeking investment and investors, ensuring that all transactions align with your strategic goals.
• Employee share schemes and incentives: We design and implement employee share schemes, such as Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) schemes, that help align the interests of your employees with those of your business.
• Employee ownership trusts: Advising on transitioning to employee ownership structures, promoting employee engagement and business continuity.
• Shareholder agreements: We draft and review shareholder agreements that clearly define the rights and obligations of shareholders, to ensure that your company’s governance is robust and avoid potential disputes.
• Corporate governance and due diligence: Our multidisciplinary approach ensures thorough due diligence in all corporate transactions, safeguarding your interests and keeping you fully informed before making critical business decisions.
• Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes (SEIS): Providing legal advice on these investment schemes to support fundraising efforts and tax planning.
• Legal advice for public companies: Navigating the regulatory landscape and compliance issues publicly traded companies face.
• Legal advice for company directors: Offering guidance on directors' duties, corporate governance, and legal obligations.
• Joint ventures: Structuring joint venture agreements and advising on the legal aspects of business collaborations.
• LLPs and partnerships: Advising on the formation, operation, and dissolution of limited liability partnerships and traditional partnerships.

We understand that each business is unique, and we tailor our advice to meet your specific needs. By partnering with JMW, you benefit from a team of dedicated corporate law solicitors who are deeply invested in your business's success, and will offer tailored legal advice and support at every stage of your journey.

JMW can also help you if you are facing a corporate dispute or shareholder disagreement. For more information on these services, please visit our commercial litigation and dispute resolution page.

Why Choose JMW?

At JMW, we are committed to providing you with the legal outcomes you need in a manner that is both cost-effective and time-efficient, freeing you up to focus on your core responsibilities while having the peace of mind that your legal affairs are in the hands of experienced professionals. We pride ourselves on our ability to support businesses not just in the UK but globally, and we have been recognised for the quality of our service by prestigious legal publications such as the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.

JMW’s corporate team has experienced significant growth and a strengthened reputation in recent years, bolstered by a recurring client base that trusts us to deliver exceptional legal services. We are increasingly acting on the buyer side for national and regional SMEs, offering our expertise in handling complex business transactions. At the same time, we continue to thrive in our traditional role, advising owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs on the sell side or when securing investment into their businesses. Our commitment to excellence has also solidified our position as expert advisers in the employee ownership sector.

Our corporate lawyers possess a diverse skill set that spans multiple sectors, including financial institutions, scientific testing, dental and healthcare. We have extensive experience acting on both the buyer and seller sides of transactions for independent financial advisors (IFAs) and accountancy practices. This specialist knowledge allows us to provide sector-specific advice that is both insightful and practical, ensuring that your business transactions are handled with the utmost care and expertise.

Across all of our activities, our approach is centred on building close, enduring relationships with our clients. We work alongside companies of all sizes, from burgeoning SMEs to established household names, to offer bespoke legal solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs and objectives. This client-centric approach ensures that we can help you achieve your company's goals.

These strong client relationships and the high quality of our legal services are reflected in our business statistics: approximately 30% of our business comes from long-standing clients, while over 70% of our work is from new clients and recommendations.

The Deal Lawyer Podcast by John Andrews

Partner and Head of JMW's London office John Andrews hosts the Deal Lawyer podcast. John shares some hints, tips and things to avoid when buying and selling a business. You can listen and subscribe the podcast here.

Meet the Team

David Easdown is a Partner and Head of Corporate at JMW. JMW’s Corporate team who specialises in corporate transactions. He has worked with many of the region’s best-known owner-managed and private equity-backed businesses. David is known for his pragmatic and collaborative approach to corporate transactions at all levels of complexity, and has nearly two decades of experience across many sectors, with a particular focus on high-growth and technology-focused businesses.

David's clients include development capital funders, family offices, owner-managed businesses and management teams receiving private equity investment ahead of executing buy-and-build strategies.

His experiences include:

• Advising DJH Mitten Clarke Group on its investment by Tenzing Private Equity in late 2022 and subsequent acquisition of six businesses in 2023.
• Advising WJ Group on its investment by THI in 2020 and subsequent acquisition of a number of the UK’s leading independent roadmarking businesses.
• Advising Cohens Chemist on over 100 acquisitions since 2005.

At JMW, David plays a key role in leading major transactions and guiding clients through the legal intricacies of corporate finance to ensure successful outcomes and long-term growth.

Find out more about David's experience and credentials.

Mike Blood is a Partner in JMW's Corporate team. He brings a wealth of experience in corporate law, particularly in the sports, media and digital sectors. With a legal career spanning over two decades, Mike has been instrumental in advising PLCs, owner-managed businesses and start-ups on a range of corporate transactions, financing, and structuring matters.

Mike is recognised as a Notable Practitioner by Chambers and Partners, praised for his commercial expertise and deep industry connections. He has a strong background in the financial services sector, having acted on transactions for accountancy practices and IFAs, and he continues to be a sought-after advisor for clients in these areas.

His experiences include:

• The sale of a medical supplies and services business to private equity for £10 million.
• Advising on the structuring of a £70 million investment in the development of three pharmaceutical drugs for treating skin conditions.
• Acting for a marketing business on the £75 million acquisition of commercial, sponsorship and hospitality inventory from a Premier League Football club.

Mike’s commitment to excellence and his ability to deliver tailored, strategic advice make him a cornerstone of JMW's corporate law team, driving successful outcomes for clients across various sectors.

Find out more about Mike's experience and credentials.

John Burns is a Partner and Head of Brands at JMW. He brings over 25 years of experience in commercial law, with a focus on intellectual property and non-contentious matters. As a leading expert in brand licensing, his experiences include:

• Advising on brand licence agreements and royalty audits.
• Assisting franchisors and franchisees with franchise agreements and master licences.
• Advising on anti-competitive agreements and providing competition law training.

John’s deep industry knowledge and strategic approach make him an invaluable asset to clients navigating complex commercial and intellectual property challenges.

Find out more about John's experience and credentials.

Mark Heppell is a Partner in JMW’s Corporate team who specialises in a wide range of corporate matters, including acquisitions and disposals, management buyouts (MBOs), employee ownership trusts, joint ventures, private equity and corporate governance. With a strong client base across the North West, Mark advises private investors, entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses.

His experiences include:

• Advising the sellers on the sale of Handepay and Merchant Rentals to PayPoint Plc for £70m.
• Advising the sellers on the sale of Healthwork to Marlowe Plc for £17m.
• Advising ADT Workplace on its transition to employee ownership.
• Advising a private equity-backed financial services company on multiple acquisitions as part of a buy-and-build strategy.

Mark’s expertise in complex restructurings and strategic transactions makes him a trusted advisor for companies navigating significant corporate events.

Find out more about Mark's experience and credentials.

Our Corporate Law Work

JMW Solicitors delivers exceptional legal support across various sectors by leveraging deep industry knowledge and extensive experience. We are proud to have advised and represented a diverse range of high-profile clients in their corporate transactions and legal matters.

Take a look at some of our distinguished clients below:

Explore some of our recent successes below.