Macfarlanes LLP‘s ‘superbly knowledgeable, technical, solution oriented’ team has expertise in M&A, fund formation, and all areas of tax structuring. The department is active on both domestic and international matters, advising global clients on high value matters. Team lead Damien Crossley specialises in private equity and investment management, and is a published thought leader in tax law. Ashley Greenbank is well known in the field, with an aptitude for cross-border transactions and group tax planning, while Mark Baldwin focuses on collective investment vehicles, particularly international private equity and real estate funds. Ceinwen Rees’ practice is centred on tax structuring, and James McCredie specialises in advising fund managers across all relevant tax issues. Jeremy Moncrieff has significant experience in complex M&A. Other key names include Gregory Price and Alicia Thomas. Sophie Donnithorne-Tait joined in mid-2022 from Akin, where she was department head.

Slaughter and May fields a team with a ‘high level of knowledge and experience‘, active on the full spectrum of tax matters, including transactions, restructurings and IPOs. The department is led by Mike Lane, who advises both domestic and international clients on a wide range of tax issues, including M&A, structured finance, and contentious matters. Gareth Miles has significant experience in private equity, and works on both domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. Dominic Robertson advises businesses on all areas of tax law, with a special focus on tech and life sciences, while recently promoted partner Charles Osborne has experience in group reorganisations and contentious matters. William Watson has a particular interest in the real estate and energy sectors, with additional experience in contentious tax. Associate Sarah Osprey is also noted.

Allen & Overy LLP‘s tax department has strong international capabilities, offering cross-jurisdictional support for corporate, financial, and real estate tax matters, in addition to their robust contentious tax practice. Global tax head Christopher Harrison takes the lead, with expertise in advising both financial institutions and large corporations in relation to a wide range of tax matters. Senior partner Lydia Challen specialises in all aspects of corporate tax, including M&A, structuring issues and the full range of transactions. Charles Yorke handles contentious work, and this year led on an $893m securitisation for Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, which involved assets in 29 jurisdictions. Former team lead Vimal Tilakapala remains active as a consultant for the department.

Baker McKenzie‘s expansive team incorporates tax advisors, accountants, and economists, so as to provide full coverage for multinational corporations facing complex multi-jurisdictional matters. The group has expertise in contentious and non-contentious tax matters, including tax planning, VAT, and transfer pricing, and this breadth has drawn major clients such as Google, Hitachi, and Siemens. Mark Delaney, who leads the practice, has significant experience advising on UK, EU and global VAT law. EMEA+ chief executive Alex Chadwick specialises in tax matters with international elements. Kate Alexander, who joined from Ernst & Young LLP in 2016, frequently acts for companies under enquiry from HMRC, and is knowledgeable on multinational restructurings. Patrick O’Gara advises major multinationals in the TMT, healthcare and consumer goods sectors, while Matthew Legg, who made partner in 2020, has a practice which combines transactional work with tax planning and structuring.

Clifford Chance LLP fields a team with significant experience across M&A, finance, funds, real estate and tax structuring. Team lead and UK head of tax Chris Davies has more than 30 years’ experience in the practice area, and specialises in structured finance. David Harkness advises large corporates and financial institutions on high value tax matters, particularly those with international elements. Anthony Stewart covers investment funds, and has experience working with fund managers across Europe. Other key names include David Saleh, who leads on real estate tax, and Richard Kalaher, who handles cross-border M&A. Jemma Dick, Nicola Hemsley, and Laura Underhill, were promoted to partner within the department in May 2022.

Hogan Lovells International LLP offers multi-jurisdictional support for corporations working globally, including full service transfer pricing capability. The department operates across all industry sectors, including real estate, pharmaceutical, infrastructure, and financial institutions. Elliot Weston leads the practice, and advises clients on tax elements of real estate transactions, and tax dispute resolution matters. Karen Hughes is global co-head of tax, with a practice which includes business restructurings, M&A and international tax planning. Fiona Bantock advises on employee incentives. Senior Associate Christopher Hyde is also noted.

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP has a globalised tax service, with particular aptitude in private equity transactional and fund construction. The department is increasingly active in the M&A sphere, where notable matters include the £2.322bn public to private acquisition of Aggreko plc by Albion Acquisitions. The practice is co-led by Jonathan Kandel and Timothy Lowe. Kandel advises on private equity, credit, real estate and infrastructure issues, while Lowe covers M&A transactions and corporate finance on behalf of clients such as Blackstone, Oaktree and Ares Capital Management. Mavnick Nerwal handles public and private M&A transactions, reorganisations and reconstructions. Ian Ferreria and Frixos Hatjantonas are also key individuals within the team. New additions to the team are Alexander Cox, who joined from Ashurst in August 2022, and Peter Abbott, from Macfarlanes LLP in May 2021.

Linklaters LLP's lawyers have expertise advising on tax aspects of corporate transactions, including domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures and demergers, and have been particularly active on SPAC related matters. Lynne Walkington is practice head, and focuses on M&A transactions, reorganisations and real estate. James Morgan covers corporate, finance, and structuring tax, and previously worked as a tax expert in the Strategic Transactions Group of Lloyds Banking Group. Chris Smale is a name to note, and this year advised Alphawave IP on its £3.1bn IPO on the London Stock Exchange.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP‘s team provides full service tax advice across all areas, with particular emphasis upon high value M&A work. The department has broad sector expertise, acting for clients across financial services, real estate, advertising and gambling in diverse jurisdictions including the US, EU, India and Australia. Team leader James Anderson specialises in private capital arrangements, while Alex Jupp focuses on advising on high level corporate transactions. Counsel Jisun Choi provides significant support within the team, and advises numerous multinationals on complex tax matters. Associate Joseph Hone is also recommended.

Travers Smith LLP fields a team experienced in asset management, tax disputes, corporate finance and M&A, with particular strength in private equity. The team acts across a broad range of sectors, including tourism, education, and real estate, both internationally and within the UK. Emily Clark, who has been with the firm since 1998, leads the department, and advises on all aspects of fund formation, while senior partner Kathleen Russ is highly experienced in private equity transactions. Simon Skinner‘s practice includes public and private M&A, as well as restructurings, disputes, and IPOs. Jessica Kemp and Hannah Manning advise clients on a wide range of transactional issues, such as sales, buyouts, and restructurings. Elena Rowlands is also noted.

Ashurst‘s core specialisms are transactions, litigation, funds and finance, with a particular focus on real estate tax. Practice lead Simon Swann advises on all forms of corporate tax, and this year led on the £428m sale of London office properties 2 and 3 Bankside by DWS to Omnicom. Paul Miller focuses on the financial services industry, advising on debt, securitisation, and other debt capital market issues. Nicholas Gardner is experienced in tax aspects of corporate and private equity transactions, while Tim Gummer advises on pan-European corporate real estate deals.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP fields a full-service team, with experience in corporate, commercial, and finance taxation. The group has particular expertise in tax elements of real estate, with notable clients in this sector including Magdalen College of Oxford University, Hines Global REIT, and Northwood Investors. Team leader Elizabeth Bradley is the global head of tax, and has experience encompassing all areas of tax. Mark Brailsford advises companies, financial institutions and funds on complex transactions, while Alan Sinyor acts as head of VAT. Matthew Poole and Richard Harbot work on real estate matters for domestic and international clients, and Paul Shaw has particular expertise in investment funds.

CMS provides a full-service tax offering, covering VAT, transfer pricing, and tax litigation, with a particularly strong REIT practice. The department is co-led by Stephen Hignett and Aaron Fairhurst. Hignett focuses on the TV, music and gambling sectors, while Fairhurst has experience on the energy, infrastructure and private equity markets. ‘Outstanding’ TMT authority Mark Joscelyne and real estate specialist Phil Anderson are key individuals. Phil Nicklin, who joined from Deloitte Legal in 2020, leads on high value REIT matters.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher provides advice to a broad range of clients, such as multinational corporations, investment funds and joint ventures. Team lead and global tax practice co-chair Sandy Bhogal assists clients with the full range of corporate tax matters, including transactional advice, investment funds, and transfer pricing. ‘Outstanding tax lawyer’ Ben Fryer is experienced with private equity transactions, and advises on tax-related issues such as capital markets, corporate finance, and debt restructuring. Jeff Trinklein‘s practice is focused on US and international taxation, particularly advising US individuals and companies establishing investments abroad.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP offers broad sector coverage, and advises on commercial transactions, tax disputes, and strategic work. William Arrenberg leads the firm’s global tax practice, and has a particular focus on real estate taxation. Howard Murray covers non-contentious insurance, TMT, energy and infrastructure, while Isaac Zailer has a broad practice which includes M&A transactions, asset management and private equity. Also key are Aurell Taussig and Casey Dalton.

Latham & Watkins handles the full range of corporate tax matters for major multinationals such as J.P. Morgan, KKR, and NVIDIA, with expertise in handling cross-border issues. Sean Finn, Karl Mah, and Helen Lethaby jointly lead the practice. Finn specialises in M&A and private equity transactions, while Mah has expertise in structured finance and real estate matters. Lethaby, who joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in August 2021, has significant transactional experience. Counsel James Leslie is also noted.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s ‘very knowledgeable team’ provides advice the spectrum of corporate and finance transactions. Dominic Stuttaford is head of tax for Europe, Middle East and Asia and Brazil, and has a non-contentious practice focused on transactions and corporate-reorganisations. Matthew Hodkin  covers tax structuring matters both in the UK and internationally, and has a focus on the transport and renewable energy sectors. Michael Alliston advises on M&A transactions as well as financings and asset sales. Julia Lloyd was promoted to partner in January 2021, and focuses on the tax elements of real estate financing and transactions.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP fields a tax team composed of English and US-qualified lawyers equipped to support multinational clients on matters across Europe and beyond. ‘Outstanding practitioner’  Yash Rupal leads the team, and has more than 30 years experience representing UK and international clients on a broad range of corporate tax matters. Senior Counsel Mark Kingstone, who joined from Linklaters in 2020, advises on M&A, corporate reorganisations, and complex financings. Senior associate Caleb McConnell, who joined from Sidley Austin LLP in March 2021, and associate Ellie Verran, are also noted, while the team is continuing to grow with the recent addition of Sarah Lindley from Linklaters LLP.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP brings ‘technical excellence’  to a broad range of practice areas including private equity, corporate M&A, insolvency, and restructurings. ‘Great to work with‘ practice co-head Oliver Walker has particular experience advising clients on the tax issues of corporate transactions, and advises a broad range of clients from across the UK, US and EU. Co-head Jenny Doak has a strong reputation in the energy and natural resources sector, and advises on both contentious and non-contentious work. Aron Joy covers private and investment funds, and frequently works on matters with complex cross-border issues. Counsels Daniella Abel and Stuart Pibworth are also noted.

Addleshaw Goddard is active across multiple sectors, including private equity, financial services, and real estate. Justine Delroy leads the team from the Manchester office, and is a specialist in private equity transactions. Delroy is supported by London-based Peter Sayer, who covers real estate tax mandates, particularly in the residential sector. Paul Concannon acts on the full range of corporate transactions, and this year advised on the tax elements of Rothermere Continuation’s acquisition of Daily Mail and General Trust plc.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP fields a ‘high calibre‘ team with significant private equity experience. Co-managing partner Richard Ward works on high value private equity transactions, to which he brings ‘broad perspectives and insight‘. Ward jointly leads the department with Matthew Saronson, whose focus is on advising sponsors and investors on US and international tax. Cecile Beurrier has expertise in the structuring and formation of private equity and debt funds. ‘Excellent’ international counsel Jennifer Wheater is also a key name.

Dentons is active in the tax risk and W&I insurance space. Global tax co-chair Alex Thomas leads the group, and covers a broad range of matters, with a particular aptitude for those with international elements. Alex Tostevin has expertise in private equity.

DLA Piper advises on the spectrum of tax issues, including transactions, corporate reorganisations and transfer pricing. Department head Ben Brown has expertise in corporate transactions, finance work, and M&A matters with international elements. Richard Woolich handles funds, joint ventures, and real estate transactions. Matthew Davies, who made partner in 2021, advises on insurance and corporate reorganisations.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP offers clients full corporate tax coverage, with experience in tax risk insurance work, investment fund taxation, and real estate investments. Ben Jones leads the team, and focuses on high value M&A, investments and reorganisations, frequently with cross-border elements. Jones works closely with principle associate Helen Mackey, who is identified as ‘excellent’. Paul Beausang leads on real estate tax, while Deepesh Upadhyay handles the tax aspects of domestic and international finance transactions.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP advises clients, such as Goldman Sachs and BlackRock, on the gamut of management and transactional tax matters. The department work effectively on multinational matters, this year assisting Yellow Wood Partners with its acquisition of the rights to the Scholl footcare brand, which involved in excess of 37 jurisdictions. Team leader Nick Thornton covers M&A, restructurings, and fund formations. Associates Thomas Bramall and Richard Pilgrim are also noted.

Goodwin‘s team is particularly active on funds and transactional tax matters. Laura Charkin leads the team, and is experienced in the full range of funds. Rob Young, who joined the department in 2019 from Taylor Wessing, advises on tax structurings and financings. David Irvine and Dulcie Daly both joined from Kirkland Ellis in 2021, and cumulatively bring over 35 years’ experience to the team. Katie Leah and Charlotte Haywood are also noted.

Mishcon de Reya LLP are particularly active in the real estate sector, providing tax structuring and consultancy advice on the full spectrum of matters in this area. The team also has specialist tax knowledge of niche sectors including betting and cryptocurrency. Jonathan Legg is head of real estate tax, and acts for major clients such as Derwent, Dominvs and Berkeley. John Skoulding leads the corporate tax offering, covering private equity, corporate, and individual tax. Experienced tax partner Gary Richards is a key name.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s ‘responsive and helpful‘ team is particularly active in relation to technology, infrastructure, energy, and real estate, and works internationally across jurisdictions including the US, India, Israel, and Japan. Department head Eloise Walker is experienced working on transactions, including securitisations and IPOs, for high profile clients such as Jaguar Land Rover, Tesco, and RBS. Legal director Hatice Ismail joined from Simmons & Simmons, where she was as a tax partner, in 2020, and brings broad experience of M&A, finance, and investment fund taxation. Legal director Penny Simmons advises on corporate tax risk management, including corporate criminal tax offences. Senior consultant Richard Croker and associate Jamie Robson are also noted.

‘Experienced and efficient’ Proskauer Rose LLP is noted for its private equity expertise, and has additional aptitude in areas such as M&A and real estate. Practice head Robert Gaut handles a broad variety of areas encompassing fund formation, structuring and real estate. Stephen Pevsner is experienced in the full life cycle of private fund-related transactions, while managing partner Mary Kuusisto advises high value clients on both US and UK tax law. Catherine Sear handles cross-border taxation matters for individuals, corporations and partnerships.

Ropes & Gray LLP advises global clients in the areas of private equity, fund formation, real estate, and banking & finance. European tax practice head Brenda Coleman  leads the department, and has a strong reputation in international tax planning. Andrew Howard focuses on financing aspects of high value transactions, such as Baring Private Equity Asia’s $2.8bn acquisition of Tricor Group. Newly promoted partner Chris Agnoli works on both domestic and international tax matters.

Sidley Austin LLP is particularly active in the private equity sphere, where the team has experience advising on major transactions with complex elements. ‘First class’ team lead Oliver Currall covers investment fund matters, acting for key clients such as Apollo Global Management. Jason Menzies is experienced in international tax planning matters and high-value M&A. Counsel Steve Quinn joined the department in July 2021 from Milbank, and brings knowledge of structured finance transactions.

Stephenson Harwood has a team with expertise in domestic and cross-border M&A. John Meehan and Kate Worthington share a focus on real estate matters.

Bird & Bird LLP is particularly active on tax issues in the FinTech space. The department also works alongside the firm’s Media, Entertainment and Sport sector team to advise high profile clients such as Six Nations Rugby. Team leader Zoe Feller is ‘superb’, and is experienced working with teams across multiple jurisdictions on complex tax matters. Associate Andrew Rink assists on a broad range of matters, from M&A and structuring investments to private equity transactions.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP‘s ‘top-in-class’ tax team are particularly experienced on cross-border matters, acting on a range of multijurisdictional tax work including structured financing, M&A, and real estate transactions. Practice head Adam Blakemore advises on a full spectrum of financing transactions, and has expertise in the structuring and restructuring of funds. Catherine Richardson, who made partner in January 2022, advises on transactions. Associate Hugo Chan is also noted.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advises multinational clients on a range of high value M&A transactions, frequently with complex cross-border elements. Richard Sultman covers tax aspects of corporate finance, debt restructurings, and funds.

Clyde & Co has a team with significant experience in the taxation elements of insurance, real estate, and M&A. The department also act on tax professional negligence issues, and have a growing contentious tax practice. Team lead Ray Smith has more than 30 years’ experience, and advises on tax planning, litigation, and the full range of transactions. David Blumenthal handles mergers, acquisitions, and disposals, and joint venture structures. Associates Malcolm Frost and Farhad Shahidi are also recommended.

Cooley (UK) LLP is particularly active in the capital markets and private equity space, in addition to working on both domestic and cross-border transactions. Practice head Natasha Kaye specialises in the life sciences and technology sectors, and has expertise in cross-border reorganisations and M&A. David Wilson‘s practice covers both advisory and transactional matters, which include tax structuring, debt financing and investments. Associate Jack Jones is a key name.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP specialises in tax elements of corporate transactions, investment funds and real estate. The department is led by Graham Iversen, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the practice area, and advises on M&A transactions. Charles Case focuses on investment funds and complex joint ventures. Ben Eaton advises on tax aspects of real estate transactions and investments, while ‘tax guru’ Clive Jones covers structuring and tax elements of domestic and international transactions.

McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP handles advisory, transactional and structuring work, and are experienced on complex matters involving cross-border elements. Practice head Kevin Cummings joined the firm in October 2021 from Deloitte, and brings expertise in banking, private equity, and M&A matters. Senior associate Sarah Gabbai has significant experience in the practice area, which she utilises to advise on tax elements of transactions and restructurings.

Milbank is instructed on complex corporate transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, and securitisations. The group has niche expertise in aviation taxation, which draws key clients from the sector such as Carlyle Aviation Partners. Lead partner Russell Jacobs is experienced in the gamut of corporate tax matters. Andrew Callaghan and Alan Rafferty joined the firm as special counsel in 2021, with Callaghan coming from Vinson & Elkins RLLP and Rafferty from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. They join associate Cosmos Fung, who came from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in 2020.

Osborne Clarke LLP provides advisory and transactional support across key sectors which include TMT, real estate, and private equity. The team is co-led by Tracey Wright and Erika Jupe. Wright leads the UK tax offering, and specialises in real estate and infrastructure. Jupe heads the international tax practice, and covers transactions and structuring with multinational elements. Mathew Oliver covers M&A work, while David Nisbet has expertise in private equity matters.

Paul Hastings LLP has a ‘highly experienced team’, which is highly active on the tax aspects of private equity, investment funds, and banking. Team lead Arun Birla advises UK and international clients on a broad range of matters including M&A and structured finance. Jiten Tank covers structuring and transactions, with experience in real estate matters. Associate Abigail Hung is another key lawyer.

Reed Smith LLP‘s tax team is particularly strong on matters related to TMT, with additional specialties for shipping, financial services, and real estate. Team lead and head of European tax Caspar Fox focuses on M&A deals with cross-border elements. Gareth Amdor has expertise in the private equity sector, while counsel Laura Gould handles transactional tax issues.

Taylor Wessing LLP has an advisory and transactional practice which covers M&A, real estate and IPOs, with a notably strong private wealth offering. Team leader Graham Samuel-Gibbon has niche expertise in tax issues related to IP rights. Peter Jackson, who formerly led the department until May 2021, is experienced advising on cross border structures and transactions, while Liz Wilson covers private equity. James Ross joined the department in July 2022 from McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP, where he was practice head.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s tax practice focuses on the energy, real estate, and transport sectors, with a particularly strong reputation for tonnage tax and shipping. Richard Stephens has more than 20 years’ experience with the firm, and has significant expertise in maritime tax, while Tom Jarvis has significant experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Chris Kilburn leads the wider corporate services team.

Akin‘s tax practice focuses on the financial services sector, and primarily advises on restructurings and cross-border transactions. Stephen Brown was appointed department head in 2022, after joining from Latham & Watkins in 2021. Serena Lee, who made partner in 2022, advises on all aspects of corporate tax. Counsel Matthew Durward-Thomas is also noted for his work on both domestic and international tax matters.

Bristows LLP is particularly strong in the technology and life sciences sector, with aptitude for the full range of domestic and international transactions. Practice head Miranda Cass has more than 30 years’ experience covering tax aspects of M&A, structuring, and employment. Senior associate Julia Cockroft has expertise in estate matters.

Burges Salmon LLP advises on fund set up and investment, real estate transactions, and corporate restructurings. Practice head Ian Carnochan  is experienced on domestic and cross-border transactions. Hilary Barclay, who was promoted to partner in May 2022, has particular expertise in corporate and financing transactions.

Dechert LLP is active for funds, investments, and private equity, and benefits from a global network of offices to provide comprehensive multinational support. Practice head Mark Stapleton advises on UK and international tax matters, with particular experience in structuring and securitisation. Daniel Hawthorne covers M&A, financial services, and investment funds. Associate and chartered tax advisor Nicolas Kokkinos is also noted.

Mayer Brown International LLP‘s team are experienced in M&A, securitisations, and the full range of private equity, real estate, and joint venture transactions. Team leader James Hill advises on a wide range of tax matters, including employment tax. Simon Rose and Matthew Mortimer are also key. Kitty Swanson made partner in January 2022.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP‘s team works as part of the firm’s global practice to advise on multijurisdictional tax matters, particularly in the transactional sphere. The ‘technical and pragmatic’ Kate Habershon leads the practice, with experience on M&A, international structuring, and tax planning. Neil McKnight, who was promoted to partner in 2020, covers real estate. Associate Grace Tan is noted.

Shearman & Sterling LLP advises on the tax aspects high value multinational transactions, with key experience in M&A, private equity, and real estate. Practice head Simon Letherman has expertise in structured finance and corporate restructurings, and works across a range of industries including energy, financial services, and technology. Counsel Michael Ward is also noted.