Member Article

Team at Shoosmiths law firm marks record breaking year of deals activity

Leading UK law firm Shoosmiths and its London corporate team have announced a record breaking year for deal activity in terms of volume and aggregate value of transactions through ongoing fast-paced market conditions.

Led by partner and technology sector head James Klein, the corporate team has advised on numerous deals this year spanning private equity, mergers and acquisitions, banking and venture capital. The end of year record follows a significant period of growth for the corporate team, with a number of new joiners in 2021 including the addition of a corporate funds team.

The team continues to advise an increasing number of fast growth early stage and scale-up technology companies with their transactional requirements as well as a growing number of institutional investors on their investments. Highlights for the corporate team in 2021 include completing over 33 venture capital deals, 17 mergers and acquisition deals and seven funds deals.

The team has further boosted its reputation and presence in the capital, including the opening of Shoosmiths’ new state of the art Bow Churchyard office in the heart of the City. Underscoring its commitment to strategic growth, the corporate team have spearheaded a number of ongoing initiatives:

• Led a ‘UK Megadeals: Past, Present and Future’ report in partnership with data platform Beauhurst, providing industry-leading research highlighting the exponential increase in megadeals (£50 million or more was invested) in the UK technology sector

• Showcased its industry experts at numerous in person and virtual Shoosmiths events, including support of the Silicon Valley Comes to the UK (SVC2UK) UK summit, various Tech London Advocates (TLA) events, and insight discussions including a panel session with Silverpeak discussing current trends in tech exits and financings

• Supported the Business in the Community’s National Business Response Network Business Campaign

• Hosted a cocktail and conversation evening with Lord Norman Lamont, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, at the firm’s City of London office; the event brought together clients from across banking and finance, restructuring and private equity networks – with Lord Lamont sharing insight from his time in office

Head of the Shoosmiths’ London corporate team and technology sector James Klein said: “The success of this unprecedented year, which has seen increased transactional activity together with our continued support of the community, is a result of the hard work and dedication of our various teams. Our activity levels show no sign of slowing down, and as the UK capital continues to attract a broad and increasing level of global interest (and investment) in its market-leading start-ups and scale-ups, our team is set for a busy 2022.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rachel Howard .