Private Equity: Buyouts: Up to £500 million | UK

Baker McKenzie is a strong choice for cross-border transactions, leveraging the firm's impressive global strengths to offer expertise in complex, multi-jurisdictional matters. It is particularly focused on upper mid-market deals, with strength in TMT, healthcare, natural resources and infrastructure. The department is complemented by expertise in ancillary practice areas, including pensions and tax.

Goodwin demonstrates proficiency in mid-market investments and exit transactions. It benefits from an extensive network of offices across the US, which augments its cross-border strength. Although it handles deals across a range of sectors, it is especially adept within the technology space. It also benefits from having a strong fund formation practice.

Slaughter and May maintains notable strength in the private equity space and is able to advise on a range of complex transactions. The firm leverages its experience in M&A matters to routinely advise on acquisitions, sales, investments and carve outs. The team regularly assists on deals covering Europe, the USA and Asia. The group also boasts strength in the financial services sector.

Addleshaw Goddard focuses on mid-market transactions, acting on buyouts, restructurings and refinancings. It advises both private equity firms and management teams. The department benefits from its offices throughout the UK and also has significant expertise in transactions involving sub-Saharan Africa.

CMS is particularly strong on transactions involving clients from the energy, healthcare and TMT sectors. It maintains a strong international footprint and is considered the first port of call for many on Central and Eastern European deals.

Eversheds Sutherland is a solid choice for mid-market private equity transactions. It regularly acts for a broad base of investor clients on acquisitions, disposals and portfolio company work. It offers a strong platform for cross-border mandates, drawing from a stable of expert corporate lawyers across Asia, the USA and the EMEA region, in addition to its extensive domestic coverage. The team has broad sector experience that covers technology, education and healthcare, among others.

Mayer Brown houses a high-quality private equity team that has significant expertise in domestic and international deals. It routinely advises on sophisticated private equity matters, with particular strength on acquisitions, disposals and portfolio company transactions. Mayer Brown's clients include private equity firms, investor clients and companies in the technology space.

Taylor Wessing routinely engages in private equity transactions that are often cross-border and complex in nature. Its domestic offering is complemented by a network of offices across Europe and Silicon Valley to assist with international deals.

Dechert demonstrates proficiency acting for financial sponsors and investor clients on complex transactions. The group possesses the ability to advise on US legal matters out of the London office, making it a strong choice for transatlantic deals. The group is particularly adept at advising on acquisitions, disposals, investments and take-privates.

Hogan Lovells is admired for its wide-ranging expertise, servicing numerous sectors, including healthcare, energy, infrastructure, financial services and TMT. It acts for a broad spectrum of private equity houses and alternative asset managers, especially those active in the secondaries market. The group is noted for its strength in cross-border transactions, with experience in the US, EMEA and Asian markets.

McDermott Will & Emery UK demonstrates considerable strength on private equity transactions, advising clients on complex buyouts and disposals. It is able to call upon its strong global presence to act on matters covering Europe and the USA. The group is active in a range of sectors and is especially strong in the life sciences, real estate and infrastructure spaces. The firm's client base includes notable private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies.

Osborne Clarke is prominent in mid-market transactions, often advising on deals in the financial services, real estate, digital business and energy sectors. The firm's offices in London and Bristol are complemented by others in Europe and the USA.

Pinsent Masons specialises in mid-market transactions, advising private equity firms and management teams on domestic and international deals. It is noted for its extensive regional coverage, spanning all of the UK. The firm offers exceptional capabilities in the energy, travel, retail and consumer sectors.

Reed Smith houses a notable private equity team that regularly advises on complex transactions. The group routinely assists on buyouts, disposals and co-investments. The firm leverages its global footprint to act on matters covering Europe, Asia and the USA. The department also maintains strong industry expertise in the life sciences, technology and transport sectors.

Shoosmiths boasts notable strength in mid-market private equity buyouts, frequently advising on deals in the £50-150 million range. It has a large roster of sponsor clients which it advises on buyouts, exits , majority stake acquisitions. It also represents management teams on investments.

Stephenson Harwood is a popular choice for mid-market private equity houses. The team is experienced in handling a variety of transactions including buyouts, disposals and portfolio bolt-on acquisitions. Market sectors in which the firm is particularly active include financial services, technology and education.