Michael Murphy

Michael is a Partner in the corporate and commercial team and leads the Owner Managed Business Sector in Liverpool, having joined the firm in November 2019.

Michael advises on a range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, management buy outs, employee ownership trusts, joint ventures, corporate restructurings and general corporate governance matters. He has particular expertise in acting for owner managed businesses, from inception through to receipt of investment, buy and build strategies and exit.

Michael’s experience includes advising listed companies, private companies, private equity houses, management teams and entrepreneurs.

Michael is ranked as a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500, Corporate and Commercial: Liverpool. He is a ranked lawyer in the Chambers and Partners Guide 2025, for M&A in the North West.

Michael’s recent work highlights include:

Advising the shareholders of Ventcroft Limited in their sale to NKT Group.

Acting on behalf of the Management Team of Vivify Venues Limited on their receipt of investment from Arete Capital Partners.

Advising the shareholders of MD Insurance Services Limited in their sale to HSB Engineering Insurance Limited, a subsidiary of Munich Re.

Advising the shareholders of Tuffx Processed Glass Limited on their sale to and receipt of investment from Alcuin Capital Partners.

Acting on behalf of the shareholders of Cytix Limited in their receipt n investment from Praetura Ventures

Advising the shareholders of Design Reality Limited on their sale to Full Support Healthcare Limited.

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Advising the shareholders of Online Legal Limited in their sale to Blume

Acting on behalf of River Capital in their investment in Baron’s (Fylde Coast) Supplies Limited

Advising Foresight Group on their investment in RS Industrial Services

Advising LDC in respect of their investments in Cleveland Containers and Scarlettabbott

Advising the shareholders of HiSpec Electrical Products in relation to their management buy out

Advising on the acquisition of Wakefield Trinity Rugby League club

Advising the Beziers Rugby Group in their investment in AS Beziers Herault

“Michael Murphy - very helpful, commercial and pragmatic. Very experienced. Eleanor Baird - very helpful, commercial and pragmatic.' Legal 500 2025

“Michael Murphy provides excellent pragmatic commercial advice whilst also being extremely good technically. This ethos flows through to Francesca Hillyard, who provides strength through the deal making team.' Legal 500 2025

“Michael is an exceptional lawyer with a down-to-earth commercial and pragmatic approach.” Chambers 2025