SME-focused Firms | UK

Culbert Ellis is a London-based law firm that advises small and medium-sized businesses, with notable expertise in the technology sector. The firm's co-founders Justin Ellis and Mark Culbert are well placed to advise clients on corporate and commercial matters, dispute resolution and IP, while others at the firm can offer expertise on a range of other areas including employment and IP disputes. Although technology is a key focus for the firm, it is recognised for its work with clients in a broad range of sectors.

EM Law is an SME-focused firm in the City of London that is on a strong growth trajectory. Founded by Neil Williamson in 2013, it is most well known for its commercial contracts expertise but also advises SMEs on a range of areas, including data protection, corporate transactions and employment law. Its clients come from a wide range of industries, including technology companies, beauty product suppliers, consultancies and broadcast media companies.

Farringford Legal specialises in the representation of SME clients, particularly in high growth areas such as technology and e-commerce. The firm provides a highly tailored service addressing an array of business critical issues for small and medium-sized companies, including commercial, corporate and financial transactions in addition to employment issues, IP and data protection. Alongside its legal expertise, the firm can provide clients with complementary advice from HR, data protection and tax advisers, and also has a trade mark attorney as part of its fast-growing team. Clients can further benefit from Farringford's SME Network, which brings together a whole host of service providers that can offer specialist support to businesses.

Founded by Toby Harper in 2014, Harper James provides legal access to small and medium-sized businesses, offering flexible price plans including subscription-based models for SME clients. As a full-service law firm, it supports clients across a range of areas, including corporate law and commercial contracts. Its lawyers are also experienced in IP, dispute resolution and employment issues. The firm is particularly strong in the technology sector, including matters involving AI.

Holt Baker is a boutique London-based firm that focuses on a range of advice for smaller businesses primarily but is particularly well thought of for its commercial contracts expertise. It advises across a range of commercial matters, including drafting and negotiating supply of goods and services, manufacturing, supply chain and IP agreements. The practice is overseen by Amy Holt, who founded the firm in 2016. In addition to legal advice, the firm operates a finance arm which advises on all financial aspects of running and managing a business.

Lawrence Stephens in London is deeply involved in the SME and entrepreneurial ecosystem, advising clients in all manner of business sectors on incorporation, commercial contracts, commercial property, employment, funding rounds and M&A transactions. The firm also advises private equity firms looking to develop successful businesses in fragmented sectors with high growth potential.

Redfern Legal in London acts as a one-stop shop for SMEs in the UK as well as entities looking to do business in the UK. The team advises on the full span of incorporation, constitutional and commercial matters SMEs need to progress, and also offers employment, data protection and intellectual property services. The firm also advises clients on immigration and visa-related issues, and has lawyers dual-qualified in a number of jurisdictions.

Arbor Law offers a broad spectrum of legal services to SMEs and startups, including advising on licensing, regulatory compliance, commercial contracts and property litigation. Its lawyers have sector specialisms in financial services and technology, and are able to advise on cross-border matters. Alongside its London office, the firm also has a base in the UAE.

Barcan+Kirby in Bristol advises SMEs of all kinds on company formation, shareholder agreements and exits, as well as business-to-business contracting and standard terms and conditions. The team's corporate work often involves sales and purchases, and it is further able to support clients in employment, litigation and property matters. The firm has particular experience in the childcare, healthcare and financial services sectors.

Clarke & Son is a Basingstoke-based firm with a strong reputation for its representation of SMEs. The firm advises clients across numerous industries but has a particular focus on those in the hospitality industry, including breweries, hotel operators and property investors. Its team of experienced lawyers can support clients on a host of issues affecting every part of the business life-cycle, including starting or reorganising a business, licensing, employment law, property portfolio management and dispute resolution.

Crane & Staples is a full-service firm acting out of Welwyn Garden City. It is perhaps most well known for property, but is able to advise on corporate and commercial matters too. On the property side, it is well acquainted with acting for growing SMEs that are expanding into new premises. Its clients include property developers, landlords, care homes, pharmaceutical companies and charities. Among its areas of expertise are acquisitions, disposals, loans, restructuring and employment.

Ignition Law was founded with the express purpose of providing tailored advice to startups, scale-ups and entrepreneur-managed businesses. The firm advises on all aspects of incorporation, investment, employment and commercial property issues faced by early-stage businesses. The firm is also seasoned in matters concerned with reorganisation and preparing for exit.

Jurit offers legal services to a variety of corporate clients, with a specific focus on startups and SMEs. The team is experienced in assisting clients with commercial and corporate matters, such as restructuring and M&A, as well as employment issues, including contracts and litigation. It has additional expertise in data protection and employee ownership trusts, and is frequently instructed by clients in the healthcare and technology sectors.

Aria Grace Law assists small and medium-sized companies with a variety of key commercial issues, including both contentious and non-contentious mandates. The firm has a team of lawyers with extensive experience in advising SMEs on everything from corporate transactions and outsourcing agreements through to employment disputes, IP and regulatory compliance. Its client base includes businesses in the financial services, technology, healthcare and recruitment sectors, among others. The firm operates a fee share reward model, which allows it to offer competitive rates for SME clients, and is also committed to putting its profits towards charitable causes.

Barnes Law was founded by Yulia Barnes in 2019 and is well placed to support small and medium-sized businesses, startups and individuals across the spectrum of commercial and contractual matters. The team is also able to offer services in IP, dispute resolution, immigration and employment, and has a client base spanning a range of sectors including leisure, hospitality and technology. The firm's lawyers have experience advising on matters with a cross-border element.

Curzon Green is a Buckinghamshire firm that also has a presence in the City of London. It services a diverse array of clients, with a notable focus on those in the SME space, from small, family-run businesses through to more established companies. The firm provides a full-service offering, with wide-ranging expertise that includes commercial contracts, dispute resolution, property transactions and employment support. It also offers the benefit of a strong private client department alongside its commercial team.

Johnson May handles primarily contentious work for a client base that includes a strong roster of SMEs. Its expertise includes debt recovery actions, landlord and tenant disputes, and other business litigation, such as shareholder, professional negligence and breach of contract claims.

Leonard Curtis Legal represents clients, including SMEs and owner-managed companies, in a whole host of issues concerning the inception, growth and management of their businesses. This includes primarily corporate work, which the firm handles on behalf of organisations in the charity and healthcare sectors, among others.

MacAllister McAleese is a full-service law firm based in Larne, Northern Ireland. The firm undertakes notable work for small and medium-sized businesses and has a client base that includes local businesses, as well as those from further afield. The firm offers a range of services to SME clients, including advice on banking, M&A and disputes.

Raymond Legal specialises in advising clients from China and other Far Eastern jurisdictions on their investments and operations in the UK. Its client base is varied, but includes smaller enterprises and companies looking to grow through UK investment. The firm handles a variety of corporate transactions and can also advise clients on any disputes that may arise.

Sandhurst Solicitors in Leeds is a specialist commercial and corporate law firm focused on supporting SME clients. It is particularly strong on the commercial contracts front, and can advise clients on a range of areas including supply chain, frameworks, reseller arrangements and master services. The firm has significant sector expertise in construction, projects and infrastructure, including handling construction contracts, and also in technology and telecommunications.

Silvine Law's key focus is on representing SME clients both within the UK and abroad. The firm has strong links to Turkey and frequently represents Turkish companies looking to incorporate in the UK, though it also has wider experience in other jurisdictions and can provide the benefit of a multilingual team. In addition to corporate transactions, the firm can advise on property matters and dispute resolution.

The Wilkes Partnership handles a wide range of corporate transactions and advisory work for SMEs, owner-managed businesses and startups in the West Midlands. Its team advises on matters including M&A, buyouts and restructuring. while also providing support on financing matters.

Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall advises family, owner-managed and SME businesses on the full suite of work related to incorporation, constitutional structure, fundraising and commercial and corporate transactions. The firm also has expertise in employment and shareholder matters, partnership agreements and company reconstructions. Alongside this, its lawyers are experienced in commercial property matters, as well as property litigation.