We advise a wide range of clients globally including:
- listed and unlisted companies
- domestic and international companies from a wide variety of industry sectors
- financial advisers
- private equity
- investment banks, nomads and intermediaries
- bidders and targets.
Many of our M&A deals have significant cross-border elements and we work in seamless integrated teams with leading local counsel to provide the best expertise and contacts for each transaction. Our in-depth experience means that we focus on the key value drivers and risks for your transaction, and this enables our clients to make informed commercial decisions on the most complex and time pressured issues.
We understand what matters to our clients and we will provide you with clear and straightforward advice at every stage of your M&A transactions. We project manage the legal documentation process throughout the entire transaction, from planning the commercial and tax aspects, conducting the due diligence process, through to contractual negotiation and post-completion integration.
We deliver the full range of services which apply to an M&A transaction, working in multi-disciplinary teams with lawyers from across the firm.
We can help you with:
- share and asset sales and purchases
- due diligence
- auction and other sale processes
- post-acquisition integration
- tax advice
- employment and pensions issues
- corporate restructuring
- competition advice
- share options
- intellectual property
"Stephenson Harwood’s M&A team worked as an extension of the in-house legal team during the largest transaction in our group’s history…the team were always readily available and responsive, and performed extremely well."
The Legal 500 UK 2022
Acadia Healthcare Company
We advised a major provider of inpatient behavioural healthcare services on its £395 million acquisition of Partnerships in Care – one of the largest and most experienced providers of secure and step-down care across the UK.
Cofely GDF Suez
We acted for a leading provider of integrated services in the energy and facilities management sectors on its acquisition of Lend Lease's UK facilities management business.
Baker Tilly/RSM
We acted for the auditing and accounting advisory firm on its acquisition of RSM Tenon Group plc, at the time the UK's seventh-largest accountancy practice, by way of a pre-pack administration.
HNA Group
We advised the Chinese conglomerate on the acquisition of GE Capital's TIP Trailer Services, a European market leader of transport equipment leasing, rental and service solutions.
Corporation Service Company
Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance advised the Delaware-based global leader in providing digital brand services to brand owners, on its acquisition of the IP Mirror group, a leading provider of corporate domain name registration and online brand protection services across Asia.
Incadea Plc, £122 million recommended takeover
We advised Incadea, an AIM quoted software provider on its £122 million recommended takeover by NASDAQ listed Dealertrack Technologies, Inc.
BTG Plc, £177 million takeover
We advised BTG, the FTSE 250 speciality pharmaceuticals company, on its £177 million takeover of Biocompatibles International Plc.
The Parkmead Group Plc
We advised Parkmead on its £14.5 million takeover of AIM quoted Lochard Energy Group plc and subsequent £40 million placing.
Private schools acquisitions
Our Paris office advised on two separate acquisitions of specialised private schools in France and Italy which were privately controlled by investment funds.
Bertschi
Our Singapore office advised Bertschi, a Swiss based global logistics business, on its acquisition of a Singapore headquartered logistics business with global operations.