Department profile
Slaughter and May

Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above

UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)

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Slaughter and May

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About

Provided by Slaughter and May

Our corporate and M&A practice is at the heart of our firm. We service a range of UK, regional and international clients in every sector, advising on a broad spectrum of corporate matters and leading on some of the most significant public and private transactions in the market.

Many of our M&A deals have a global dimension and we work closely with our clients to guide them through complex transactions in jurisdictions across the globe.

In addition to our transactional work we provide general corporate and governance advice on the key issues facing modern corporates.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above - London (Firms)

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Slaughter and May maintains a commanding position for its skill in the most sophisticated and high-value transactional work, especially public M&A. It can call upon a deep bench of lawyers capable of handling domestic and cross-border deals of the highest complexity. Its enviable roster of clients includes numerous FTSE100 companies operating across a range of sectors, including technology and financial services. The firm retains close relationships with investment banks and private equity sponsors.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Slaughter and May advised Vodafone Group on the EUR8 billion sale of its Italian operations to Swisscom.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Slaughter and May gives excellent advice and the team is always available when you need them.

    Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

  • The firm makes you feel like you are its only client and it is evident that it has excellent experience of many technically difficult situations.

    Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

  • I believe the department at Slaughter and May is peerless in its ability to deliver strategic M&A. In particular, the ability to think and plan several steps ahead in a process.

    Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

  • The Slaughter and May team delivers absolute top-notch legal services. The response time of the team is very quick and it is always available.

    Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • David Johnson
    David Johnson

    David Johnson

    David Johnson leverages years of experience working in corporate finance into an excellent transactional advisory practice. He is sought after for his counsel on high-end public and private M&A and joint ventures.

    • David is very strong and responsive.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

    • David is extremely experienced and he provides excellent client service and support.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

    • David's client service is excellent and he has commercial acumen.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

    • David is very decisive when he gives advice. You can phone him and he recommends something with the answer.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK
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  • Roland Turnill
    Roland Turnill

    Roland Turnill

    Roland Turnill applies his standout expertise in the area to substantial transactions. He offers counsel on joint ventures, public takeovers and capital markets matters.

    • Roland has very good judgement, is trusted and well regarded.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK
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  • Simon Nicholls
    Simon Nicholls

    Simon Nicholls

    Simon Nicholls co-heads the firm's corporate group. He operates a broad practice with expertise in M&A and equity capital markets deals. He is relied on by a stable of clients composed of listed companies and investment banks.

    • Simon is a brilliant and user-friendly lawyer.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

    • Simon provides excellent client service. He is able to analyse complex issues quickly and provide practical solutions.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

    • Simon has in-depth knowledge of the field and is always calm.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK
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  • Sally Wokes
    Sally Wokes

    Sally Wokes

    Sally Wokes has a growing reputation among a number of FTSE100 companies. She is experienced in acquisitions, sales and strategic corporate reorganisations.

    • Sally is reliable and excellent at managing matters.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

    • Sally is into the details and understands all of the key issues. She is also very responsive and provides pragmatic and commercial advice.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK
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  • Victoria MacDuff
    Victoria MacDuff

    Victoria MacDuff

    Victoria MacDuff is an accomplished corporate practitioner who represents clients across a broad spectrum of M&A. She has a proven track record of working with high-profile clients on notable transactions.

    • In addition to outstanding technical legal ability, Victoria brings vision, leadership and clarity to the most complex of strategic questions. She is everything that a client could wish for.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

    • She has a phenomenal work ethic and ability to manage very large transaction teams that drive the process forward at a pace that other law firms simply cannot match. An excellent negotiating partner.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

    • She has an extraordinary command of the detail which enables her to direct the team efficiently and focus efforts on the legal and commercial points that matter to me as a client.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK
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  • Paul Dickson
    Paul Dickson

    Paul Dickson

    Paul Dickson handles a range of transactional work, including corporate and finance. His clients include both private and listed companies and he is able to advise on M&A, private equity and ECM deals.

    • Paul has a good manner and doesn't get riled. He is strong for trickier, more complicated points.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK
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  • Richard Smith
    Richard Smith

    Richard Smith

    Richard Smith maintains notable experience on public and private M&A in addition to equity capital markets matters. He sits as co-head of the firm's corporate and M&A group.

    • Richard's calm and thoughtful demeanour means that he is uniquely liked and relied upon.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

    • Richard is an excellent lawyer.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK

    • Richard's knowledge and his ability to explain complex legal issues to non-legal people is outstanding. He is a remarkable lawyer with an incredible legal brain and talent.

      Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Slaughter and May (7)

London (Firms)

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