Professional Practices

Our specialist lawyers advise on structuring and operating Alternative Business Structures (ABSs), helping clients navigate licensing, ownership rules, and regulatory challenges. Our team provides commercially focused advice on legal sector innovation, ensuring compliance with Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) requirements while supporting long-term growth strategies. Whether setting up a new ABS or converting from a traditional model, we help firms manage risk and maximise opportunity in a competitive and evolving legal market. 

• Represented a corporate boutique law firm in relation to an SRA regulatory enquiry.
• Undertook independent audits in accordance with Regulation 21 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 for numerous large international law firms.

Our team of banking & finance experts regularly advise on a broad range of banking and finance matters affecting professional practices, including funding arrangements, partner capital contributions, overdraft facilities, and refinancing. With deep sector knowledge, we support clients through complex finance arrangements in competitive legal and accountancy markets. We provide strategic advice that ensures transactions are structured efficiently, covenants are properly negotiated, and regulatory requirements are met, while protecting the long-term interests of the firm and its partners.

• Acted for a well-known UK bank in relation to its bilateral financing of a loan to a Magic Circle law firm.
• Acted for a high-profile UK bank in relation to its bilateral financing of a loan to a top 5 law firm.
• Acted for US bank in relation to its bilateral financing of a loan to a Magic Circle law firm.
• Acted for a UK clearing bank in relation to bilateral loans to a top 50 UK law firm.
• Acted for Dentons entities in the financing of a global service hub for the Dentons Verein in the Netherlands, guaranteed by Dentons entities in England, Canada and Europe.
• Advised a leading global specialist in alternative investing in taking on a debt capital team and negotiating the necessary joint venture and option arrangements.

Our dispute resolution lawyers’ extensive experience helps clients mitigate risks and resolve disputes swiftly and effectively. We are regularly instructed in partner disputes, claims for breach of duty, and internal investigations within law and accountancy firms. With a calm, commercial approach, we help clients navigate high-stakes litigation and reputational challenges, protecting both individual and firm-wide interests while preserving future business relationships wherever possible.

• Acted for individual partners or groups of partners in relation to disputes arising between them on the dissolution of their professional firms (solicitors, accountants, surveyors, doctors, architects etc).
• Advised professional practices (notably solicitors, surveyors and GP practices) on the expulsion of partners or members for fraud and/or other misconduct.
• Helped a Big Four client to manage a substantial claim brought by a former client in relation to an unexpected and substantial tax charge arising on a high-profile share sale in excess of £100 million. The case (which also involved a magic circle law firm) raised complex questions of causation and contribution.
• Defended a firm of solicitors in a £20m negligence claim relating to a failed property transaction.
• Defended a leading accountancy practice against multiple claims relating to failures to detect fraud.
• Acted for an engineering firm in claims relating to the construction of a bridge in the Far East.
• Defended insolvency practitioners at a Big 4 firm against a substantial claim for negligence brought by the former directors and shareholders of the insolvent companies. The claim was struck out with indemnity costs awarded in the client’s favour.
• Defended a claim brought against the auditor of a high-profile law firm that collapsed with a considerable indebtedness. The case raised novel issues of causation and quantum of loss. Having been robustly defended in the early stages, formal proceedings were not pursued by the liquidators. The claim is now statute-barred.
• Acted for an engineering firm in negligence claims relating to the construction of an airport in the Middle East.
• Acted for a professional services firm in litigation concerning the establishment of offshore trusts.

Advising on employment issues as they relate to professional practices requires a deep understanding of both regulatory frameworks and partnership dynamics. Our highly experienced employment lawyers advise on partner exits, performance issues, discrimination claims, and restrictive covenants, supporting firms in maintaining regulatory compliance while protecting their culture, reputation, and commercial interests. 

• Supported corporate lawyers on all aspects of share and asset acquisitions, complex TUPE-related issues, and training for the lawyers and their clients.
• Facilitated amicable exits for partners and LLP members on behalf of both the individuals and the firms.
• Acted for a partner on his claims for discrimination and victimisation against a global accountancy firm.
• Acted for a firm of solicitors in relation to the exit of a senior team member and related misconduct allegations.
• Acted for a senior solicitor in relation to a matter involving longstanding claims of discrimination and victimisation with a successful settlement achieved with financial and non-financial terms that were extremely important to the individual, in a case that was described as “impossible to settle”.
• Acted for the London office of an international law firm being accused of race discrimination by one of its employees.
• Acted for senior accountants/members of the LLP at a “Big 4” Firm of Accountants moving to other Big 4 Accountancy Firms in the UK.
• Acted for a substantial firm of accountants in defending claims of unfair dismissal and discrimination before the Employment Tribunal.
• Defended a law firm from claims of disability discrimination from a solicitor who was dismissed for dishonesty.
• Acted for a firm of solicitors in relation to an alleged breach of post-termination restrictive covenants by one of their former employees.
• Acted for a senior partner in a large accountancy practice on disciplinary proceedings relating to allegations of harassment and helped to retain his position.
• Advised a senior partner at an international law firm in ensuring that her position and partnership earnings were protected whilst she worked overseas assisting another office.
• Advised a partner of a leading law firm concerning rights arising out of detrimental treatment in relation to whistleblowing, part-time working and sex discrimination.
• Acted for a Fund Manager/ Markets Investor in dealing with partner exits and employment issues.
• Advised a very senior partner in an international law firm who faced very significant hostility internally, after moving to assist the managing partner in implementing global programmes.
• Acted for an accountancy partnership in a complex dispute under the 1890 Partnership Act and dissolution of the partnership.
• Acted for doctors in relation to NHS partnership disputes and negotiating the most favourable exit.
• Acted for LLP members and partners in law firms in disputes and negotiated exits.
• Acted for a senior associate in a law firm in a case for religious discrimination.
• Acted for a senior associate in a law firm which wanted her to move on as she was not going to be promoted to partner.

Our insurance lawyers are experienced in advising on a wide range of insurance-related matters affecting professional practices, including coverage disputes, PII renewals, mergers and acquisitions, and firm closures. We are regularly called upon to advise on claims notifications, excess layer insurance, policy wording and coverage disputes. We have a particular niche in advice on successor practice issues for law firms. With a practical, commercial approach, we help firms manage risks and ensure that their cover is fit for purpose, protecting their business, people, and reputation in an increasingly regulated and litigious landscape.

• Advised an Australian insurer of law firms on governance and claims management.
• Represented a law firm on multiple insurance coverage disputes, arbitrations and mediations with different insurers in respect of hundreds of claims by investors in failed development schemes valued at between £50m and £150m.
• Advised an Australian insurer of law firms on governance and claims management.
• Advised a law firm on a dispute with insurers declining to cover £75m claim.
• Advised a law firm on insurance coverage issues, including block notification to insurers, arising from potential multimillion pound claims over failed buyer funded development schemes.
• Drafted a combined insurance policy aimed at self-employed surgeons, encompassing clinical negligence indemnity, legal expenses insurance, public liability cover and cyber cover.
• Drafted a combined insurance policy aimed at pharmacists, encompassing clinical negligence indemnity, public liability, criminal and professional discipline proceedings legal expenses cover and employment disputes.

Our professional practices lawyers provide strategic advice on the structuring, operation, and dissolution of LLPs and Limited Partnerships. We assist clients in drafting and updating members’ agreements, profit-sharing arrangements, and governance frameworks. Whether forming a new entity or managing internal changes, we ensure legal structures reflect business priorities and regulatory obligations while supporting partner relationships and long-term succession plans.

• Provided advice to partners and LLP members on a wide range of partnership and LLP issues arising in a number of different business sectors, including property investment, care homes, City investment management, farming and retail.
• Advised on and drafting professional practice partnership and LLP agreements.
• Assisted in the LLP conversion of a leading regional solicitors’ practice.
• Advised salaried and fixed share partners on avoiding liability for the debts of their insolvent solicitors’ practice.
• Advised a member of a leading accountancy practice LLP on the terms of his exit.
• Advised salaried partners on the terms of their exit from a solicitors’ practice.
• Advised solicitors on setting up an LLP and acquiring assets and goodwill from the administrator of an insolvent law firm.
• Advised a City bond dealer LLP on restructuring and capital issues.
• Acted for the executor of a deceased partner of a family care home partnership concerning the failure of the surviving partner to account for the value of the deceased partner’s share of the value of the care home business and property.
• Acted for equity research and broking business Atlantic Equities LLP on updating their LLP members’ agreement and dealing with incentivisation and exits of members.
• Acted for a firm of commercial property agents in establishing an LLP to deal with an “eat what you kill” compensation structure.
• Acting for a French individual in reorganising his interests in an LLP carrying out corporate advisory work which is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Our experienced corporate lawyers deliver strategic guidance to firms involved in mergers, acquisitions, and consolidations across the professional services sector. With deep sector knowledge, we support clients through every stage of the transaction, from negotiations and due diligence to regulatory approval and integration, helping to ensure transactions are commercially sound, legally compliant, and aligned with long-term strategic goals.

• Acted for accountancy firm BDO on its acquisition of Moore Stephens including the preparation and negotiation of a complex merger agreement and dealing with the respective rights and obligations of equity and salaried partners in each firm.
• Advised a leading global specialist in alternative investing in taking on a debt capital team and negotiating the necessary joint venture and option arrangements.
• Advised on UK law employment law implications of the acquisition (and subsequent TUPE integration) of a financial services business, including conducting due diligence and advising on structuring considerations and transaction documents, workforce retention arrangements and regulatory remuneration matters.
• Supported corporate lawyers on all aspects of share and asset acquisitions, complex TUPE-related issues, and training for the lawyers and their clients.
• Advised institutional investors on regulatory aspects of law firm acquisition.
• Advised numerous law firms on insurance successor practice aspects of acquiring teams from other firms, including many high-profile examples.

Our regulatory lawyers have proven expertise in advising on all aspects of professional regulation, including Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) compliance. Our team regularly advises on disciplinary investigations, authorisation, reporting obligations, and policy drafting. With a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape for professional practices, we help clients manage risks, respond to regulatory scrutiny, and safeguard their standing within their industry and with their clients.

• Advised an Australian insurer of law firms on governance and claims management.
• Advised a global law firm on structure, and regulatory aspects of cross-border sharing of confidential data and conduct of reserved legal activities in overseas offices.
• Undertook independent audits in accordance with Regulation 21 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 for numerous large international law firms.
• Provided expert evidence in relation to money laundering investigations, including for a global law firm.
• Long-term adviser to a listed property-related company on its compliance with anti-money laundering obligations and other regulatory issues.
• Advised a Trust and Company Service provider in respect of a regulatory investigation into Anti-Money Laundering compliance.
• Acted for a French individual in reorganising his interests in an LLP carrying out corporate advisory work which is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
• Acted for individual partners or groups of partners in relation to disputes arising between them on the dissolution of their professional firms (solicitors, accountants, surveyors, doctors, architects etc).
• Acted for senior accountants/members of the LLP at a “Big 4” Firm of Accountants moving to other Big 4 Accountancy Firms in the UK.
• Advised on UK employment law implications of the acquisition (and subsequent TUPE integration) of a financial services business, including conducting due diligence and advising on structuring considerations and transaction documents, workforce retention arrangements and regulatory remuneration matters.
• Represented a law firm on multiple insurance coverage disputes, arbitrations and mediations with different insurers in respect of hundreds of claims by investors in failed development schemes valued at between £50m and £150m.
• Represented a partner in a US law firm on regulatory aspects of ‘MeToo’ allegations.
• Advised a global law firm on structure, and regulatory aspects of cross-border sharing of confidential data and conduct of reserved legal activities in overseas offices.
• Advised a law firm on a dispute with insurers declining to cover a £75m claim.
• Advised a law firm on insurance coverage issues, including block notification to insurers, arising from potential multimillion pound claims over failed buyer funded development schemes.
• Acted on behalf of the General Optical Council (GOC) in a challenge brought by the Professional Standards Authority against a decision made by the GOC’s own Fitness to Practise Committee against a Registered Optometrist charged with gross negligence manslaughter in 2013 in connection with the death of a 7-year-old patient from papilloedema (swelling of the optic nerve).
• Successfully represented a Consultant Plastic Surgeon on a matter that involved both clinical and probity allegations, relating to the care provided to a former patient. Attended Doctor’s Meeting with the GMC Case Examiner and the client and provided a detailed Rule 7 response to the allegations. This resulted in the GMC closing the case with advice at the Rule 8 stage.
• Represented a Consultant Obstetrician in an NHS Trust Maintaining High Professional Standards (MHPS) investigation where he faced allegations that he had dishonestly altered the patient’s medical records for his own purposes. The case was concluded with a final written warning.

Our team of professional practices experts regularly advise on the reorganisation/restructuring of professional practices, including demergers, partner retirement, profit reallocation, and changes to business models. With a clear understanding of the internal and external pressures affecting firms, we provide strategic support throughout the restructuring process to ensure legal compliance, minimise disruption, and preserve both commercial value and partner relationships.

• Acted for a number of LLPs in the financial services sector on reorganising their LLP members’ agreements to accommodate a new class of tax-efficient securities, involving adjustment of profit waterfalls.
• Acting for a French individual in reorganising his interests in an LLP carrying out corporate advisory work which is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
• Structured a partnership to accommodate profit sharing and promote fees for commercial real estate joint ventures.

With deep commercial insight, our restructuring & insolvency lawyers help clients manage risk and navigate the legal complexities of restructuring & insolvency. Our team acts for professional firms, advising on contingency planning, insolvency proceedings, and turnaround strategies. Whether facing short-term liquidity challenges or long-term viability concerns, we deliver pragmatic, industry-specific guidance that protects partner interests, preserves value, and supports recovery or orderly exit from the market.

• Defended insolvency practitioners at a Big 4 firm against a substantial claim for negligence brought by the former directors and shareholders of the insolvent companies. The claim was struck out with indemnity costs awarded in the client’s favour.
• Acting for a leading bank in a series of claims against partners of a dissolved solicitors’ practice.
• Advised salaried and fixed share partners on avoiding liability for the debts of their insolvent solicitors’ practice.

Our specialist lawyers fully understand how to navigate complex risk management issues in professional practices. We support firms with internal governance, conflict management, anti-money laundering compliance, and policies that align with regulatory expectations, providing sector-specific guidance that supports smooth operations and reduces the risk of disputes, financial loss, or reputational harm and ensuring that firms remain robust and responsive in an evolving risk environment.

• Undertaken independent audits in accordance with Regulation 21 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 for numerous large international law firms.
• Represented a corporate boutique law firm in relation to an SRA regulatory enquiry.
• Provided expert evidence in relation to money laundering investigations, including for a global law firm.
• Long-term adviser to a listed property-related company on its compliance with anti-money laundering obligations and other regulatory issues.
• Advised a Trust and Company Service provider in respect of a regulatory investigation into Anti-Money Laundering compliance.
• Instructed to advise a UK company in relation to AML risks associated with their exposure to Norway and Sweden supply chains of a heavily regulated product.
• Drafted a combined insurance policy aimed at self-employed surgeons, encompassing clinical negligence indemnity, legal expenses insurance, public liability cover and cyber cover.
• Drafted a combined insurance policy aimed at pharmacists, encompassing clinical negligence indemnity, public liability, criminal and professional discipline proceedings legal expenses cover and employment disputes.
• Acted for a partner/member of an LLP in a firm of solicitors in relation to a potential conflict of issue and in relation to her position with the LLP including potential exit strategy.