Corporate counsel — and cross-border M&A where it actually matters.
Sell-side preparation, share-purchase agreements, joint ventures and investment rounds for owner-managed and growth-stage businesses. Dual-qualified UK / New York counsel for transatlantic transactions where one side of the table needs both perspectives.
SRA-regulated firm•Partner-led on every matter•Dual-qualified UK / New York
What We Do
M&A / business sales
Shareholders agreements
Joint ventures
Investment rounds
Cross-border UK / NY
How It Works
Three steps. No drawn-out onboarding.
Free 20-minute consult to scope the matter. Fixed-fee or capped proposal within one working day. Partner-led delivery with first drafts turned in days, not weeks.
Your Contact
Contact Ian Burton
Ian Burton
Managing Partner
Senior M&A and corporate lawyer. Qualified in England and Wales and New York.
Capped fees with stage gates.
Staged scopes with cost caps at each step. No runaway costs.
Common Questions
Frequently asked
How early should we engage counsel before a planned exit?
For owner-managed businesses, 9 to 12 months before going to market is the right window. That allows time for sell-side housekeeping, vendor due diligence, and any structural changes that improve the saleability or tax-efficiency of the business.
Are you a substitute for a Magic Circle firm on a large transaction?
For mid-market transactions (typically up to £75m enterprise value), we offer partner-led service that beats large-firm coverage at materially lower cost. Above that level we will tell you honestly when a different firm is the right answer.
Will I be working with a partner?
Yes. M&A at SBP is partner-led from term-sheet to completion.