As an entrepreneur, I understand the risks of operating a business. From drafting a contract to sealing partnerships, I need to learn everything so I can comply with the law.
It feels overwhelming, so I decided to find a corporate lawyer to help me. I know for sure that it’s an investment that’ll help me be on the safe side.
Turns out, finding a reliable firm is another challenge. Luckily, my Wunderlust team lent their hand and helped me narrow down my options.
Business owner, too? Read on to see some corporate lawyers in London that you can trust for a hassle-free business operation.
How much do corporate lawyers charge?
Corporate lawyers usually charge £900 to £1000 per hour. This depends on the firm and the partners or solicitors that will work on the case. Some have lower rates, like £497, but also come with value-added tax.
How we chose
- Expertise: We selected solicitors with a strong background in corporate law, including handling contracts, structuring, and legal compliance.
- Pricing models: We compared whether each firm charges a fixed fee or hourly and if they offer flexible payment options.
- Experience: We focused on lawyers who have years of experience with different-sized businesses.
- Specialisation: We prefer corporate lawyers who cater to various industries like tech, healthcare, or finance.
1. Forest & Co
Address: 16 Berkeley St
Contact Details: +442033830173, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Forest & Co is a boutique firm with a comprehensive list of legal services, serving individuals and businesses.
The team is small but has multilingual members and staff, which is a great thing for us. Some of their clients say that their solicitors really invested time and energy in their cases. They also like the technical knowledge and humane approach of the team.
Many are also happy with the prompt response they get from the company. As a business owner, we don’t have time waiting for slow responses, right?
We further asked about their offerings, and we’re glad that they fully support businesses. They handle company formation, M&A, and compliance. Aside from that, they also draft handbooks and handle disputes.
Another thing we like about them is that they have annual retainer packages. They start at £900 for 6 hours of consultation (basic contracts and compliance overview). For us, it’s reasonable. Besides, you’re free to choose what suits you.
The only thing we don’t like? Their phone call consultations can be expensive, costing £130 for 30 minutes without a clear conclusion.
Extraordinary dedication
“I had the privilege of working with an extraordinary lawyer from Forest & Co, Sandra Zaulet , and the experience exceeded all my expectations.
From the very beginning, she paid close attention to every detail of my case, listening patiently and offering me a clear understanding of the legal situation I was facing. Her impeccable professionalism, combined with an extraordinary dedication, made me feel safe and confident about my chances.”
-Ms. Georgiana Cotuna, Google Review
Quick services, reasonable prices
“Best place to get advice and help if you have any legal issues. They are always happy to help and support you by phone, email or face to face appointments. Professional services for all types of problems. I am pleased with the process with them so far. Quick services for reasonable prices. The team is well prepared and ready to face any kind of legal issue. Strongly recommended.”
-Mr. Denis Vilcu, Google Review
2. Equitable Law
Address: The Law Society Hall, 113 Chancery Ln
Contact Details: +443333903525, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Equitable Law is another solicitor-founded firm focused on business and commercial entities. Since it’s solicitor-regulated, you’ll deal with experienced lawyers with full accountability.
Their solicitors only serve those who are in the business, commercial, and finance sectors. So yes, they are not a full-service law firm.
The company won the Best M&A Lawyers in London (2023), which reflects their legal expertise. In fact, many of their previous clients are happy with their commitment and quick response (despite the busy schedules).
They specifically mentioned Dan, who offered cost-effective solutions for their businesses. And though unrelated, they’re also experts in recovering assets due to crypto scams.
A piece we don’t like? They’re only a small team, so you might find it hard to book consultations with them.
Quick and communicates very effectively
“Dan is by far the only lawyer I would go to with all my business queries. He is very quick to deal with all types of problems and communicates very effectively. He is a fantastic advisor and has helped me in many scenarios. He truly goes above and beyond for his clients. I highly recommend him for anyone with a small or large business looking for a professional legal advisor.”
-Ms. Stephanie Scolaro, Google Review
Amazing solicitor
“Dan is an amazing solicitor – quick to respond, thinks of things you haven’t considered, and works incredibly hard. Could not of asked for more. If you are a founder / entrepenuer Dan is the man to deal with.”
-Mr. D C, Google Review
3. EM Law
Address: White Collar Factory, 1 Old Street Yard
Contact Details: +442036376374, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Ever since 2013, EM Law has been serving commercial clients. They aren’t a full-service firm, but we’re surprised by the wide list of services they have for businesses.
Their strengths include contract, data protection, and corporate law. Their list doesn’t stop there, and the good thing about them is that they have specific solicitors for each legal service.
Their previous clients are happy with their team, saying they’re friendly, informative, and accessible throughout. They are also consistently praised in the area of contracts, giving clients a swift and reliable service.
Pricing-wise? It depends on the complexity of the case. Their hourly rates start at £350 per hour (plus VAT), which we think is reasonable and around the city average.
Downsides, though, are that some of their services are expensive. So if your corporate case will also need a barrister or other fees, it is prone to higher charges.
Fantastic to work with
“Neil and Gerard have been fantastic to work with. They supported me from 0 to completion of the biggest and most complicated deal I’ve ever been involved in, taking care of every single detail.”
-Mr. Henry Purchase, Google Review
Outstanding service
“Working with Neil Williamson and EM Law has been outstanding! Neil took time to understand the nuances of our business and offered creative, practical solutions to our specific challenges. The level of professionalism, integrity, and sheer care and attention to detail was second to none”
-Mr. Nigel Mear, Google Review
4. Branch Austin McCormick LLP
Address: 32 St James’s St
Contact Details: +442078510100
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:20 AM – 5:30 PM
A boutique law firm in the West End is Branch Austin McCormick. This company is comprised of partners offering legal services for individuals and businesses.
The fact that they’re a one-stop shop for legal needs is a nice thing to have. Their corporate lawyers handle M&A, inward investment, and joint ventures. They also help in restructuring, partnerships, and start-ups.
As per their previous clients, the team has a professional and sympathetic nature. This is very important for us. Dealing with the law is already stressful enough; we don’t want to be dealing with stressful lawyers too.
Many also praise the proactiveness of their solicitors, which shows how knowledgeable they are in their craft. Some even highlighted that their solicitors are a dream to work with!
The thing is, you might find it hard to secure them since they’re a boutique firm (with limited lawyers onboard). This is true, especially during high-demand periods.
Professional and transparent
“recently sought legal advice from Branch Austin McCormick Solicitors, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the service I received. A special thanks to Hal and Emily, who handled everything perfectly with professionalism and care. Their advice was transparent, precise, and highly professional, making the entire process smooth and stress-free.”
-Mr. Jakub, Google Review
Detailed, helpful, and sympathetic
“Working with Robyn Allardice was a pleasure, it was an involved case with both personal and business being involved. With Robyn and Hal Branch’s highly professional, detailed, helpful and sympathetic advice, we managed to get the right result. Thank you both and all at Branch Austin McCormick. Highly recommended.”
-Mr. Chris Rocker, Google Review
5. Quastels
Address: 4th Floor, Watson House, 54 Baker St
Contact Details: +442079082525, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Started in 2005 and rebranded in 2019, Quastels is a law firm with a strong workforce. With their 33 legal professionals onboard, they’re in full force in serving businesses and limited personal cases.
Aside from their big workforce, it’s also reassuring how reputable they are in the legal world. They ranked in Legal 500 for their commercial excellence, which says a lot about their knowledge and skills.
For their corporate legal assistance, they cater to business immigration, finance, and M&A. Their senior solicitors handle all these with utmost responsibility, so you don’t have to worry about dealing with newbie lawyers.
When we talked to former clients, many praised the lawyers’ patience and thoughtfulness on their cases. They also highlighted Cheryl’s genuine support, which means a lot to clients during uncertain times.
Their rates are also reasonable, starting at £400 per hour plus VAT. However, be mindful that they also have retainer fees that might be expensive depending on your case.
Downside? They have inconsistent communication (mostly via emails), which is a no-no for us.
Exceptional support and dedication
“I had a great experience with The Quastels. The service was professional, and they were quick to respond to my needs. I especially want to thank Harpreet for her exceptional support and dedication. She was highly professional throughout the entire process, making everything run smoothly. I truly appreciate her efforts and would highly recommend their services.”
-Mr. Jyan Nim, Google Review
Very professional
“Quastels has a very professional team. They are gone above and beyond our expectations. All process went smooth and spotless. They respond to any message or call immediately, they help and assist when and where ever you need. Joshua, Harpreet and Sema has been a great help and support to us.”
-Ms. Ceylan Korkmaz, Google Review
