Partnership
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7074 8000About
Provided by Lewis Silkin
Partnerships & LLPs
Among all the different ways to structure a business, LLPs and partnerships face a particularly unique range of issues that require a very distinct approach.
Structuring a traditional partnership or LLP needs careful planning and water-tight agreements to ensure that members’ rights and duties are clear, as well as understanding of the tax implications and fiduciary responsibilities which are different to those of employees. However, like all businesses, issues such as protecting a firm’s interests when key individuals retire or a team defects, dealing with disputes or grievances, and best managing mergers or joint ventures may all need to be addressed.
Our highly regarded practice advises on all aspects affecting LLPs, partnerships and the individuals who work within them, both contentious and non-contentious. We also have extensive experience in conducting sensitive investigations for partnerships in relation to misconduct, harassment and fraud.
As well as our well-deserved reputation as the "lawyer's lawyers", we are also trusted legal advisers for many leading firms of accountants, surveyors, architects and management consultants, as well as clients utilising a partnership structure in industries such as financial services, marketing communications and healthcare.
Chambers Review
Lewis Silkin has a highly respected offering in the professional services arena, with notable expertise in advising legal and accountancy firms on partnership matters. The team is expert at handling contentious issues, including team moves, performance evaluation and compulsory retirement, as well as sensitive investigations and partner exits following allegations of misconduct. It also handles non-contentious matters, including LLP conversions.
Work Highlights
- Lewis Silkin advised Hamilton Architects in response to proceedings following the removal of a partner due to their conduct and alleged breaches of duty.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Lewis Silkin are a fantastic firm in this area. They have great partnership practitioners who are experienced and good to work with, and they tie in their great senior executive employment experience."
"Lewis Silkin have an exceptionally good team who work hard. They provide really quick responses, and are unafraid of tough deadlines."
"Lewis Silkin advise on extremely complex cases offering important strategic advice. They completely understand the commercial position that we are in and use their evidently excellent experience."
"Lewis Silkin are a fantastic firm in this area. They have great partnership practitioners who are experienced and good to work with, and they tie in their great senior executive employment experience."
"Lewis Silkin have an exceptionally good team who work hard. They provide really quick responses, and are unafraid of tough deadlines."
"Lewis Silkin advise on extremely complex cases offering important strategic advice. They completely understand the commercial position that we are in and use their evidently excellent experience."
Notable Practitioners
Fergus Payne is a consultant working as part of the corporate and partnership practice groups at Lewis Silkin. He advises clients on a variety of non-contentious matters, including restructurings, LLP conversions and partnership agreements.
Clive Greenwood specialises in contentious mandates, including those that relate to performance issues, misconduct claims and restrictive covenants. He is also joint head of both the partnership group and the professional services group at Lewis Silkin.
"Clive knows every inch of partnership law. He is a brilliant person to work with and is delightful and strategic."
"He gives absolutely top-notch advice. Clive has a great grasp of both fundamentals and detail and provides invaluable guidance."
"Clive is a strong litigator who is hard-working and commercially sound. He is very practical and always keeps sight of the outcome."
Michael Burd is an employment law specialist who also has notable expertise in partnership law. He is particularly adept in advising international law firms on partner disputes, exits and claims concerning sexual harassment.
"Michael is always available, gives sensible, experienced and considered advice. He is a total pleasure to work with and we are always grateful for his wise counsel."
Chris Hallinan assists clients with a variety of partnership matters, including international structures, redrafting of LLP agreements, governance and succession planning issues.
"Chris is very up to speed on the legislation and is exacting and precise in his advice. He is a very technical expert."
"Chris Hallinan is thorough and well experienced in partnership matters."
"Chris is excellent."
Karen Baxter is the head of Lewis Silkin's investigations and regulatory group. She has vast experience conducting internal investigations into claims of serious misconduct and discrimination concerning leading law and accountancy practices.
Eleanor Diamond is a senior associate who regularly assists on partnership disputes concerning partner expulsions, discrimination claims and compulsory retirement, among other issues.
"Eleanor's assessment of the situation and obstacles followed by detailed action plans were mindblowing. She has extraordinary negotiation skills."
Frances Simm is a managing associate who advises on contentious partnership matters including partner exits and disputes.
"Frances is very bright and hard-working. She is strong procedurally."
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Provided by Lewis Silkin