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Bradley Mulhall

Posted on: July 29th, 2026 by Ella Darnell

I am an Associate in the Corporate and Commercial team, advising founders, entrepreneurs, owner-managed businesses and investors on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters. I work closely with clients to understand their objectives and provide practical, commercially focused advice at each stage of a transaction or business lifecycle.

My practice has a particular focus on private M&A. I have experience acting for both buyers and sellers on a wide range of transactions, including the acquisition and disposal of trading businesses and property-holding SPVs. I have worked on transactions across sectors including finance, technology and real estate, supporting clients from initial structuring and due diligence through to negotiation, completion and post-completion matters.

Alongside transactional work, I advise founders and SMEs throughout the lifecycle of their businesses, from initial structuring and investment rounds through to growth strategy and eventual exit. I enjoy building long-term relationships with founders and management teams, helping them navigate key commercial decisions as their businesses develop. I also advise on a range of commercial contracts and constitutional documents, including shareholders’ agreements and articles of association, and have experience with debt and structured finance matters.

I have worked with clients across a wide range of sectors, including technology, health and wellness, care homes, finance and real estate. I also have cross-border experience involving Dubai, Bermuda and other offshore jurisdictions.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing sport, particularly football and golf, travelling, and discovering new restaurants.

Experience highlights

  • Acted for a BVI corporate seller on the disposal of an FCA-regulated foreign exchange trading group, including coordination of a cross-border transaction involving a Portuguese subsidiary.
  • Advised buyers and sellers on acquisitions and disposals of property-holding SPVs across a range of real estate transactions.
  • Advised a technology start-up from inception through to market strategy and planned exit, including support on the successful protection of its market-leading technology through a global patent.
  • Advised a founder-led health and wellness business on its growth journey, including multiple SEIS and EIS investment rounds, corporate structuring and ongoing strategic advisory matters.
  • Acted for a UAE-based group on acquisitions and disposals within its portfolio of children’s nurseries, supporting the client on transactional and group structuring matters.

Demi Darbey

Posted on: July 13th, 2026 by Ella Darnell

I am a Corporate and Commercial solicitor advising founders, SMEs and investors on buying, selling and scaling businesses.

My practice focuses on private M&A, where I act for both buyers and sellers. I have experience running small to medium sell-side transactions from start to finish, as well as supporting on larger, multi-party deals. I have led transactions for SME sellers across the technology, food and beverage and healthcare sectors, and have supported on the acquisition of multiple care homes, investment into a large media company and the sale of a large construction company.

Alongside transactional work, I advise on joint ventures, corporate structuring and the legal agreements that underpin day-to-day operations. I regularly support start-ups and growing businesses with investment and shareholder arrangements, as well as commercial contracts.

I have worked with clients across a range of sectors, with particular exposure to technology and property-related investments, and have experience on cross-border matters involving India and Italy.

I am known for being responsive, commercially minded and calm under pressure, with a focus on clear communication and practical, solutions-driven advice.

Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors with our two dogs, travelling, and exploring new restaurants.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for the sellers in their sale of the entire issued share capital of a SaaS company to a large corporation, which involved a drag-along mechanism, liaising with the Bona Vacantia Division, and EMI Shares.
  • Acting for the seller in his sale of two veterinary practices to their respective management teams (MBO’s).
  • Advising an interior design agency on multiple cross-border B2B services agreements.
  • Acting for a property developer on multiple £20m bridging finance loans, working closely with our property and banking and finance teams. The latest transaction involved Jersey companies.
  • Acting for a corporate purchaser on its acquisition of multiple care homes in the UK.

Leigh Sayliss

Posted on: March 14th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I head up the Lawrence Stephens Tax team. A versatile Chartered Tax Advisor, I pride myself on providing astute, clear-cut advice on property, corporate and employment taxes in particular.

Prior to qualifying as a lawyer, I spent 20 years as a professional engineer. My background in industry helps me bring a commercial understanding to the transactions with which I am involved. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) and a Chartered Engineer.

I am Chair of the CIOT Property Taxes Committee and a member of HMRC working groups in relation to Stamp Duty Land Tax and construction matters.  From 2017 to 2025, I was Editor of the land-related sections of Thomson Reuters’ ‘Monroe and Nock on the law of Stamp Duties‘.

Experience

  • Advising on tax aspects of a wide range of corporate sales and acquisitions
  • Advising on, and structuring, incentive arrangements for key employees
  • Advising on structuring for commercial and residential property acquisitions and property development
  • Advising on, and negotiating settlements of, disputes with HMRC