UK Guide 2026 : South West
Ranked Individuals
Provided by Porter Dodson Solicitors
The Porter Dodson Corporate Commercial Department offers corporate commercial expertise across the firm’s seven offices. It is one of few firms offering true specialism within its regional geography, being a marked differentiator against competitors, including larger ranked firms whose comparable teams are typically city based and therefore servicing regional clients remotely.
• Acting for SMEs, family owned and owner-managed businesses on acquisitions, disposals, reorganisations, business protection and succession, often with an international element. Instructions under this scope constitute more than 50% of the team’s corporate work.
• Management buy-outs and buy-ins
• Debt and equity investment, advising private equity investors, and investee companies and corporate clients in complex investment transactions:
• Employee Ownership Trusts – a new area of expertise offered by the team, having been instructed on arrangements with valuations of eight figures
• Sale and purchases, mergers, demergers and reorganisations for independent financial advisors and those operating under St James’s Place Wealth Management Limited umbrella.
• Partnership arrangements, often for farming and landowning clients, reflecting the regional geography of the Firm.
• Commercial contracting, advising on a broad spectrum of commercial agreements including IT, licensing, distribution and manufacturing.
Provided by Chambers
Porter Dodson Solicitors advises SMEs and owner-managed businesses on the full range of transactions, including purchases, sales and reorganisations. The team is experienced in handling MBOs on both the management and seller sides. It has specialist expertise in acting on GP integrations with NHS trusts.
Provided by Chambers
Porter Dodson Solicitors advised Ashridge Capital in connection with a £4.15 million investment in Imagineear.
Provided by Chambers
The team was very efficient both in terms of calendar time and cost, and always very flexible.
The team provides excellent customer service and response times to any queries. They went above and beyond what I expected.
I feel they cover all areas an SME might require. PD offers a high level of service and timely responses.
They are available day, night and weekends when a deal is underway.
Excellent service and brilliant communication and expertise. The whole team were very supportive.
Provided by Chambers
Evelyn Adfield is head of Porter Dodson's corporate and commercial team. She has broad-ranging expertise in corporate matters and acts for both domestic and overseas clients.
Evelyn was excellent to deal with in every interaction I had with her.
Evelyn’s level of service was exceptional throughout the whole process.
Incredible operator, strong negotiator with impeccable work ethic and knowledge.
We know Evelyn well and have always been pleased with the service.
Evelyn achieves consistently high standards of client service and is great to work with as part of a professional team.
David Culshaw is a partner in Porter Dodson's corporate team. He represents startups and SMEs, and is active in the technology, food and drink, and manufacturing sectors, among others.
David is extremely knowledgeable, considered and pragmatic. He is great at what he does.
Corporate/M&A: SME/Owner-managed Businesses
Corporate/M&A: SME/Owner-managed Businesses
Provided by Porter Dodson Solicitors
David Culshaw
View profile of David Culshaw
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