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When it comes to buying, selling or fundraising, you want corporate finance lawyers in your corner who can broker the very best deal for you and your business; a trusted corporate law firm that is there for the journey.

Our national track record rivals even our local counterparts in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle, delivering value without compromise on quality.

Our 30-strong team of corporate lawyers, led by Robert Thompson, has been ranked number one corporate dealmaker in the North East and top ten in Yorkshire, the North West and the UK for the past four years by Experian MarketIQ. And we’ve got you covered wherever you are in the UK, through our extensive team of corporate lawyers in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, working across the country.

Going public on the stock exchange or selling a family business? Making that strategic acquisition, or raising funding for the next stage of development? Our multi-disciplinary team of corporate lawyers has you covered. Our emphasis is on taking care of you and creating long-term partnerships.

Whatever the type of transaction; buying, selling, investing, divesting, going public, going private, mergers and acquisitions – with over thirty years in business, our team of corporate solicitors bring their exceptional experience to bear, creating long-term value from a strategic start point.

Every project is carefully managed to deliver a successful outcome, with no nasty surprises. Our corporate solicitors are always transparent, engage and communicate clearly, regularly and in plain English. We’re enthusiastic team players, and when a team captain is needed, we can do that too.

You need absolute faith that your corporate lawyers will deliver against your goals. It’s our job to worry about the detail, to know the law, to share our wisdom, and to predict the hurdles and mitigate them. You can rest assured, you’re in the best possible hands.

Our services

Advice on:

  • Sales
  • Acquisitions
  • Competition
  • Due diligence
  • Employment advice
  • M&A
  • MBIs
  • MBOs
  • Private Equity and Venture Capital
  • Raising Capital
  • Takeovers
  • Tax law
  • UK corporates

Contact a specialist

Robert Thompson

Partner | Head of Corporate

+44 (0) 330 137 3602

+44 (0)790 022 4981

Email Robert Thompson

Read bio

Paul Johnson

Partner | Corporate

+44 (0) 330 137 3630

+44 (0)788 158 2567

Email Paul Johnson

Read bio

View all Contacts

What people say

  • The corporate and commercial team are engaging, proactive and approachable and work collaboratively and in a one team manner

    Legal 500, client quote
  • The team inspires us with confidence and encourages us to grow and think differently, providing beyond legal support and exceptional levels of service

    Legal 500, client quote
  • Imogen Holland is a highly experienced, pragmatic partner who leads negotiations exceptionally well. She is always prepared to go the extra mile for clients, often working to tight deadlines.

    Legal 500, client quote
  • The partners and staff are focused on ensuring their clients receive great service. They always do what they say they will do and when they say it will be completed. I can’t compliment the team looking after us highly enough

    Legal 500
  • The key individuals we deal with at senior level is through James Nightingale. I find James hugely accessible and he provides professional advice alongside an approach which feels supportive and comfortable. In a challenging period for all industries, the firm has maintained a good contact throughout where possible, which leaves them best placed as people who understand our business

    Legal 500
  • Ward Hadaway LLP provides an expert legal opinion but in a time where contact has clearly been challenging have made every effort to support and understand our business. The invaluable advice on ancillary work, means as an advisor they have developed a rounded view of the activities ongoing within our business, leaving them best placed to provide the advice we require.

    Legal 500
  • Responsive; open and transparent; no surprises – you get what was agreed at the price agreed.

    Legal 500
  • In particular, I would like to underline the partner and head of the corporate department Rob Thompson. I have limitless professional and personal esteem for him, but also for his entire team. It is very comforting to work with partners like Rob Thompson, who manage to keep control in all situations, who genuinely care and who combine professionalism with fast, solid and tangible results, always remaining extremely competitive. It is also personally a rewarding experience to work with Rob Thompson. For me, he is simply one of the best commercial / M&A lawyers in the United Kingdom.

    Legal 500
  • The entire team at Ward Hadaway is dynamic, professional, helpful and solution-oriented. It is a pleasure to work with all of them, their level of engagement and their hands-on approach is very satisfying. They get deals done, provide solutions and care. A joy for every client.

    Legal 500

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