Laceys Solicitors Laceys is a leading, forward-thinking law firm with specialist experts serving both individual and business clients across a broad spectrum of practice areas.

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Buying and Selling a Business

Is your business aiming to expand or merge? Are you considering selling? When there is a lot at stake ask our dedicated team of experienced corporate solicitors to guide you through the negotiations and help you achieve your objectives.

These processes can be time consuming and complex, however, with proper planning and timely advice, you can concentrate on the current and future stages of your business life whilst we take care of the transaction. Our commercially-minded team of solicitors will take a pro active and tailored approach to ensure that your deal completes as quickly and efficiently as possible.

We regularly advise all manner of clients, from local businesses to those trading internationally, through a variety of industries and as such we can identify issues before they arise and manage them to a suitable conclusion with the minimum of interruption to the transaction.

As your professional advisors, we will work both for you and with you, ensuring you obtain your desired outcome with as little stress as possible!

Laceys Corporate and Commercial team are recognised in the Legal 500, an independent guide to leading law firms in the UK.

 

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    Meet the Team

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    Charlotte Mitchell

    Consultant — Corporate and Commercial

    Direct dial: 01202 377800

    Email

    Charlotte Mitchell

    Charlotte is a Commercial/Contracts lawyer and is Bournemouth born and bred.

    Having gained experience working both in top regional firms and In-House for a FTSE 100 Plc, an AIM listed national IT company and a global engineering company, Charlotte has a wealth of knowledge within IT, Supply of Goods and Services, Intellectual Property, Engineering, Telecoms and Privacy/Data Protection.

    Although a Commercial lawyer, she is also qualified as a Commercial Litigator, providing her with the unique advantage of knowing where contracts go wrong, and the ability to evaluate risk and advise accordingly.

    Outside work, Charlotte loves to play tennis, horse ride, windsurf and ski. 

    Alana Penkethman

    Associate — Corporate and Commercial

    Direct dial: 01202 377872

    Email

    • “It’s a comfort to be able to rely on people who are professional and honest in their approach, having had to face a situation with difficult requirements for the first time it was always going to be challenging. Alana advised us all the way through, provided highly professional advise and options and helped guide us through to a successful end. We are truly happy with the service and will continue to use Alana and Laceys as needed.”

      Derek Wright

    • “I used Laceys for an employment related matter and was extremely satisfied with the service that they provided. Alana was everything that I could have hoped for: calm, professional, objective, reassuring and empathetic. I would not hesitate to recommend them.”

      Rick Nurse

    • “Alana helped me through a extremely difficult and emotional period in a professional and supportive manner. The process was over swiftly and I am very satisfied with the service, so thank you for everything.”

      Bradley Thompson

    • “At the outset Alana understood what I required. Explained the process, and delivered on the service. I was very happy with the process and outcome.”

      Andrew Taylor

    Alana is an Associate in our Corporate and Commercial team and is an expert employment lawyer. She advises businesses and individuals on matters arising from recruitment to termination.

    Alana provides pragmatic advice, ensuring problems are resolved as quickly as possible, and in turn minimising disruption and stress to both parties. When litigation is unavoidable, Alana excels in negotiations and will deliver robust representation.

    Since qualification in 2011, Alana has developed a specialism in discrimination matters, and is passionate about equality in the workplace.

    When Alana is not working, she enjoys flying with a hot air balloon team and is a keen cyclist. She also enjoys live music and plays the saxophone.

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    Victoria Boynes-Butler

    Senior Associate — Corporate and Commercial

    Direct dial: 01202 377884

    Email

    • “First Class Service. ....Sam and Victoria were an absolute pleasure to work with whilst expertly guiding us through the pitfalls of the merger.”

      Caroline Kelleway, Burns Property Management and Lettings Limited

    • “We would like to thank Victoria and the rest of the team at Laceys for helping us in a very professional, efficient and courteous manner complete the acquisition of the Cottage Lodge Hotel in Brockenhurst.”

      Maurizio Redaeilli, Cottage Lodge Hotel Limited

    • “I was pleased to work with Sam and Victoria who managed to simplify this matter for us, and explain the intricacies of the transaction at each stage and advise us accordingly. They provided great flexibility in working with us both and guiding us through this whole transaction. Many thanks.”

      Tim Townsend, Hamilton Townsend

    • “Only fools make big, long term decisions without gaining sound advice and I am so glad to have been able to share my big burden with such understanding and competent professionals as Victoria. Although I had some end objectives I could never have worked out the best way there without their help.”

      Piers Chichester

    • “Very good service, plenty of off-road parking, made our life easy and helped us sort out a difficult situation and explained it to us in layman's terms.”

      Richard Wayles, Meridian Electrical Contracting Limited

    • “An extremely efficient firm of Solicitors, who have dealt with my family legal needs as required for at least 20 years, even though I have moved to Australia after living in Dorset all my life.”

      Judith Brown

    Victoria is a Senior Associate in our Corporate and Commercial team, having qualified as a Solicitor in 2016. Victoria has advised businesses, charities and individuals across a range of sectors, specialising in corporate acquisitions and associated finance and commercial contracts.

    Victoria adopts a pro-active, straight-forward approach in helping clients achieve their long-term business aims.

    Outside of work Victoria makes the most of living on the South Coast with long walks in the New Forest and paddle boarding in Sandbanks.

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    Edwina Bones

    Associate — Corporate and Commercial

    Direct dial: 01202 377824

    Email

    edwina bones

    Edwina has returned to Laceys after working for Womble Bond Dickinson in Southampton and is an Associate within our Corporate and Commercial team. Edwina specialises in commercial contracts, intellectual property and charity law and has experience in drafting, negotiating and advising on a variety of agreements. Since qualifying in 2011, she has advised a range of businesses in various sectors. This includes a secondment working in-house for a well-known multi-national retailer.

    Edwina has been listed in the Legal 500 as having an “incredible knowledge and a drive to do things right’. She enjoys getting to know a client’s business in order that she can provide tailored, practical advice.

    Outside of work Edwina enjoys practising yoga, walking her energetic Labrador in the beautiful Dorset countryside and generally keeping active as well as spending quality time with her family and friends.

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    Natasha Jones

    Partner — Corporate and Commercial

    Direct dial: 01202 377866

    Email

    Natasha Jones
    • “Laceys have advised me recently on some sensitive corporate transactions. I was impressed with their approach, particularly the very pragmatic advice from Natasha, her calmness under pressure, absolute commerciality and general willingness to get the deal done.”

      Mark Brooks, CEO – Castrum

    • “Always friendly and efficient.”

      Alan Redout

    Natasha is a member of our Corporate and Commercial team and is an experienced corporate lawyer having qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and practiced in London for many years before relocating to Bournemouth in 2015.

    Natasha has advised a range of businesses and individuals across different sectors and her practice focuses on acquisitions and disposals of both shares and assets, general banking work and in particular real estate and asset-based finance, company restructures, shareholder agreements and partnerships.

    Natasha aims to help her clients find solutions that best fit their business and future plans with a pragmatic and helpful manner.

    Outside of work Natasha has two small children so ‘me time’ is a distant memory but Natasha does squeeze in the odd gym visit to help her complete in her first Pretty Muddy race for life this year! When not training, Natasha enjoys a good catch up with friends over a glass of wine.

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    Jeremy Channon

    Partner — Corporate and Commercial

    Direct dial: 01202 377831

    Email

    Jeremy Channon
    • “I simply cannot fault the service that we received from Jeremy. Highly professional, quick to respond, gave clear advice regarding commercial issues, delivered to a competitive fixed fee, and worked to tight deadlines to get a deal done. Nothing was too much trouble, and I wouldn't hesitate to engage Jeremy again.”

      Ian Woodgate, Head of Productivity - Technical at Pythagoras

    • “Jeremy completed the legal aspects of the purchase of Haroys Ltd. This was carried out with minimal fuss and maximum efficiency, and made the whole process extremely slick and stress free. Thank you!”

      Ian Riley - Commercial Manager at Haroys Ltd

    • “Many thanks for your speedy and patient assistance dealing with our latest acquisition. We found you to be very friendly, professional and personal. It was a pleasure doing business together. I am using Laceys again now for my house move.”

      Mark Moore - Managing Director at Moore International Limited

    • “I'm very pleased with the service provided - Jeremy Channon made the process simple to deal with and provided a prompt, courteous service and was a pleasure to deal with.”

      Peter Munro

    • “I felt I was dealing with someone who had a clear, realistic and commercial understanding of the task that needed doing and who added value to the process at a fair price.”

      Stephen Hogan

    Jeremy qualified as a Solicitor in 2002 and is now a Partner within our Corporate and Commercial team advising businesses, shareholders and directors on all legal matters relevant to their businesses, ranging from sales and acquisitions, shareholder agreements, restructures and corporate governance.

    Jeremy adopts a responsive and expert approach to matters which is always well received by his clients.

    Jeremy’s career path to Laceys was somewhat unconventional having spent 4 years out from the legal profession working as a professional mariner, 2 of which were on a superyacht and 2 on a commercial fishing boat!

    Outside of work he is an active sportsman and plays squash, real tennis and touch rugby.

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    Ella Gould

    Senior Associate — Corporate and Commercial / Employment

    Direct dial: 01202 377825

    Email

    Ella Gould, Solicitor in Laceys Corporate and Commercial team
    • “We believe Ella worked extremely hard to bring our sale to the satisfactory conclusion especially during the difficult Covid19 trading conditions. She worked late in evening to accommodate our needs. A real asset and credit for Laceys.”

      Brian Clemons

    • “Ella makes every process we deal with understandable and as straight forward as possible. I have not doubt she will remain our solicitor for many years.”

      Kelly West

    • “Corporate acquisitions never go quite as planned but Ella was always at the end of the phone and more than willing to chase up whatever was not forthcoming! A thorough and efficient service with plenty of good advice along the way!”

      Stuart Harding

    • “Commercial legal details can be a minefield to interpret and understand. Clear explanations are offered at every step and this provides confidence in the decision making process.”

      Martin Spooner

    • “Ella carried out the work for my business sale very efficiently, and always responded promptly. This was particularly important to me as I often required assistance quickly in order to progress matters within the given time frame.”

      Jon Dudley

    Ella completed her Law LLB Hons degree at the University of Surrey graduating in 2013 and subsequently the LPC at the University of Law. Ella joined us to commence her training contract in 2014 and qualified into our corporate and commercial team in March 2016, now acting on a wide variety of corporate, commercial and employment matters ranging from local businesses to national companies.

    Ella can assist with business and share transactions, shareholders’ agreements, drafting articles of association and other general company law matters. Ella also advises on employment law aspects predominantly in a corporate context. In particular, her work includes drafting and reviewing contracts of employment, providing assistance and advice on TUPE transfers, and other general employer advice.

    Outside of work Ella enjoys going for long runs around Bournemouth and the Purbecks, skiing when the opportunity arises and making the most of the local beaches in the summer.

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    Sam Freeman

    Partner — Corporate and Commercial

    Direct dial: 01202 377878

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    Sam Freeman profile image
    • “First Class Service. ....Sam and Victoria were an absolute pleasure to work with whilst expertly guiding us through the pitfalls of the merger. I would highly recommend anyone considering an acquisition or merger to speak with Sam.”

      Caroline Kelleway, Burns Property Management and Lettings Limited

    • “Thoroughly professional and helpful advice at all times.”

      G & H Walford-Howell

    • “I launched POW Energy Water with 15 years experience in food and drink, but no experience in the legalities of setting up and structuring a business. Sam and his team have been fantastic helping me secure finance and trademarks, ensuring I am safe in the knowledge that my back is covered so I can concentrate on growing by business.”

      Ed Woolner, Founder & Managing Director - POW Energy Water

    • “Sam Freeman is an excellent solicitor who is extremely knowledgeable and who shows great patience and kindness when dealing with someone who is unfamiliar with legal matters.”

      Jane Balmforth

    • “Straight forward and easy to work with and very helpful.”

      Adrian Broom

    • “Sam is very good at understanding what we need, even if we aren't that clear. He keeps us up to date and gives clear concise advice when needed.”

      Judith Young

    Sam Freeman heads up our Corporate and Commercial team. He is a vastly experienced corporate lawyer having advised a wide variety of businesses within a range of sectors, for a number of years, having qualified as a Solicitor in 2005. 

    Sam’s particular specialisms include share and assets acquisitions and disposals, company restructures, shareholder agreements and partnerships. Sam enjoys helping people succeed in business regardless of whether the client is a small local set up or a large national organisation. Whatever the concern, Sam provides a calm personable approach to his work ensuring clients are guided in a practical straightforward manner.

    Away from work Sam enjoys spending time with his family and this years new edition, Merlin the Great Dane, and anything sport related, especially playing golf.

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