Corporate/M&A: £100-800 million | UK

DLA Piper maintains a strong platform for deals across a range of sizes, but is especially recommended for transactions with values in the hundreds of millions. It frequently acts for companies from sectors such as energy, infrastructure and technology. It is able to call upon a strong global network of international offices to bolster its skill in cross-border work, with particular expertise across Asia and the EMEA region.

Macfarlanes boasts a leading practice that is able to advise on deals of both under and above £1 billion. It has experience of advising high-profile names on a range of transactions, including acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures. It is well versed in high-end deals, often acting on international mandates for corporates and financial institutions. The department is also regularly called upon to advise management and director teams on M&A. It has broad international capabilities and has experience of deals involving the US, Europe and Australasia.

Travers Smith maintains a highly respected corporate group that advises sponsors and corporates on the full spectrum of transactional work, with significant sector strengths in financial services, infrastructure, retail and technology. It is regularly involved in deals with a global footprint, including those involving European and North American interests. The firm possesses significant expertise in deals with a value in the hundreds of millions, but also maintains the capability to advise on transactions worth over £1 billion.

Addleshaw Goddard represents an array of FTSE100 and FTSE250 corporates, with notable expertise in energy, real estate, retail and financial services transactions. Its private equity strength is also noted. The department handles a wide range of domestic and international work, with a wealth of expertise in matters concerning India and Africa.

BCLP houses a high-quality corporate team with substantial expertise in domestic and international deal work, calling upon a strong international network for cross-border deals. It has notable strength in mid-market real estate transactions, as well as those involving energy, healthcare and retail. BCLP benefits from a stable of dual English and US-qualified lawyers.

Mayer Brown regularly works with well-known names from the media, chemicals, energy, healthcare and real estate arenas. Its areas of expertise include acquisitions, joint ventures and take-private transactions. Mayer Brown offers considerable skill in cross-border matters, with particular strength in deals involving North America and Asia.

Cooley advises a diverse client base of FTSE250 companies, start-ups and financial sponsors on a broad suite of corporate transactions. It has particular industry expertise in technology, media, life sciences and telecommunications. Cooley is well positioned to assist on international deals, especially those involving US and Asian interests.

Covington & Burling has considerable strength in life sciences transactions, and also handles matters in the media, technology and communications sectors. It advises across the spectrum of corporate transactions, with particular experience in deals with significant IP implications. The department can draw on the London-based US team to advise on US law aspects of cross-border transactions.

Dechert is regularly engaged on domestic and international deals, including matters in emerging markets. It has notable sector strengths in financial services, life sciences and TMT. The team is a mix of both UK and US-qualified lawyers, offering a full service to a range of corporates and financial institutions. The corporate offering is bolstered by ancillary expertise in investment funds and financial services regulation.

Goodwin has extensive experience of advising clients on both UK and cross-border M&A transactions. It is able to call upon its strong global presence to counsel on matters with US and European interests. The firm boasts notable expertise in the life sciences, technology and real estate sectors. The department is able to assist high-profile clients on divestitures, joint ventures and asset deals, among other matters.

Pinsent Masons handles both domestic and international deal work for FTSE250 and AIM-listed clients. It continues to grow its profile in cross-border work, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific and EMEA regions, and has advised on numerous UK inbound transactions. It has a strong focus on transactions in the energy, technology, infrastructure, healthcare, retail and life sciences fields. The department has additional capabilities representing investment banks and other financial sponsors.

Sidley Austin boasts notable experience advising clients in the life sciences, technology and financial services sectors on complex M&A transactions. The firm leverages its strong global offering to counsel on deals across the US and Europe. The firm regularly works with notable corporates and financial investors on significant mid-market deals.