Corporate/M&A: £5 million and above | UK

Browne Jacobson is a venerable Midlands firm with an increasingly prominent presence outside the region. It is hugely experienced in corporate transactions and private equity work, especially involving the healthcare and public sectors, and cases with a cross-border element. The firm acts on behalf of clients of all sizes on the full range of acquisition and sale transactions.

Eversheds Sutherland is a prominent international firm with a sizeable presence in the region, offering the full suite of corporate services, with distinguished ability to resource large and complex transactions. Its expertise includes work with capital markets elements, including advice on IPOs and public takeovers. The corporate M&A department's areas of particular strength include handling deals in financial services, technology and healthcare.

Gateley Legal is an established practice with experience in cross-border M&A and private equity work as part of a broad transactional practice which also takes in demergers. The firm is able to draw on specialists across a range of complementary disciplines, such as tax and property.

Freeths regularly advises large corporates on complex and high-value transactions. The firm is able to draw on nationwide resources when acting for clients of all sizes, from plcs to owner-managed businesses, and bring in expertise across the firm on elements arising from transactions involving real estate and planning elements, among others.

Shoosmiths acts on behalf of a diverse base of clients across a wide variety of sectors in M&A and private equity work. It is regularly instructed to undertake cross-border work involving jurisdictions in Europe, North America and the Far East, among others, with significant involvement assisting overseas clients with investment into the UK.

Geldards is strong in healthcare and knowledgeable about the motor retail trade, with additional work in the food and drink sector, assisting with regulatory compliance as well as transactional activity. It has substantial experience advising on major capital investments, on behalf of both investors and investees, as part of a healthy private equity offering.

Shakespeare Martineau advises on a wide range of mid-market M&A transactions and group reorganisations. The firm has broad sector knowledge covering logistics, healthcare and banking, among other areas. The team has substantial experience in a range of technology-related areas, including IT services, engineering and manufacturing, and life sciences. It also acts on employee ownership and buyout deals as well as advising on strategic planning for family businesses.