Business Circle
The networking group that supports business owners and senior decision makers in their day-to-day roles.
Corporate law solicitors in Preston, Lancashire
Award-winning strategic legal guidance across the full lifecycle of corporate law.
0333 004 4488
hello@brabners.com
Lancashire’s leading corporate legal experts
Our 60-strong, award-winning corporate team is one of the largest, most active and most specialised in the UK.
We advise entrepreneurs, business leaders, management teams and investors across Lancashire on all aspects of corporate law — M&A, private equity, business exits, tax structuring and governance.
- Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) — Helping businesses on the acquisition trail to navigate legal complexities and technical intricacies.
- Business sales and exits — Comprehensive guidance on the complexities of selling a company, its business or its assets.
- Tax advisory — Legal expertise with a commercial focus for M&A, sales, investments, international matters and HMRC disputes.
- Employee ownership trusts (EOTs) — Support for moving to an employee ownership model and securing the legacy and future of your business.
- Governance — Practical advice on managing existing governance frameworks and staying robust and compliant.
- Private equity — Focused on securing optimal terms and protecting your commercial interests.
- Venture capital and high-growth companies — Bridging the gap between founders and investors to secure deals that accelerate growth.
Our corporate lawyers work in tandem with our specialist commercial and deal advisory teams to offer an integrated strategic service and add value at every stage of the process.
Our Lancashire office is home to Brabners Business Circle — a peer-to-peer group aimed at supporting business owners and senior decision makers in their day-to-day roles of running a business — as well as Brabners Business Club, our quarterly breakfast networking group for business leaders and professionals.
Talk to our Preston-based corporate team by emailing hello@brabners.com, calling 0333 004 4488 or completing our contact form.
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Award-winning corporate legal support that drives growth
Our corporate law practice is one of the UK’s most specialised, offering “outstanding industry knowledge” and a “consistently high-quality level of service” according to testimonials in The Legal 500.
We support clients across sports, tech, health, retail, professional services, housing, recruitment, manufacturing, transport, energy and more. This unrivalled sector-specific expertise gives us the insight needed to add value to every transaction.
We’re also one of the most active corporate dealmakers in the UK, having advised on 168 transactions last year with a total value of around £1bn.
The 60-strong team, led by Mark Rathbone, includes a number of nationally-recognised Hall of Fame lawyers, Leading Partners and Next Generation Partners in The Legal 500.
We were also named Corporate Law Firm of the Year at the Insider North West Dealmakers Awards 2025 and Regional Firm of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2025.
Based conveniently at the intersection of the M65 and M61, our office offers convenient regional access at the heart of central Lancashire.
We support organisations, shareholders and business leaders right across the region with their growth, investment, divestment, exit and restructuring requirements.
Meet our Lancashire corporate lawyers
Creating market-leading deals across Lancashire
Brabners Deal Advisory is our corporate finance arm. Powered by specialist accountants, the team proactively creates deals and brings parties together.
The team supports MBOs, MBIs, acquisitions, disposals and fundraisings from concept to completion. This includes guidance around deal structure, funders, targets, buyers and price negotiations.
As the only UK law firm with dedicated in-house deal advisors, this gives you a unique advantage: integrated strategic legal and financial advice under one roof.
“Praised for its ability to go 'go above and beyond' and 'outstanding industry knowledge', Brabners... [handles] the full scope of corporate and commercial matters... Feedback from clients has always been favourable... consistently high-quality level of service.”
The Legal 500 2026
“We've worked with Brabners for more than five years on a number of major corporate, commercial and financing projects. Brabners helps us to identify and address relevant legal issues early. The team is proactive, pragmatic, commercial and works seamlessly with our in-house legal team and other advisers. Put simply, Brabners provides exemplary, cost-effective support.”
Richard May, Partner, General Counsel & Head of Compliance, Omni Partners
“Brabners draws considerable praise from clients for its ‘focused and commercial’ approach. The team is well-positioned to advise on the full scope of corporate and commercial work, including M&A, group organisations, private equity, contracts, e-commerce and data protections matters.”
The Legal 500 2025
“Nikki Whittle is an outstanding legal leader who has taken her time to understand my business interests and provide insight and structure to developing the business. She's an excellent communicator, responsive and supported by a strong, capable and engaging team.”
Client feedback, The Legal 500 2025
“I’d like to thank the team at Brabners, especially Nathan Samuel and Brett Cooper, for their advice and support during the lead up period to the acquisition and managing to complete the full due diligence process in an extremely short timescale.”
Executive Chairman, Selwyns Travel Group Ltd
A ‘Top Tier’ corporate law firm in Preston
Corporate law: expert insights
Cross-border executive appointments — key UK tax & corporate considerations
We outline the key payroll, tax and governance issues that overseas companies typically face when appointing a UK‑based executive.
Managing tax risks for internationally mobile employees — 6 practical steps for employers
We outline the key UK tax issues for employers sending staff to the UK and highlight steps to stay compliant while maximising reliefs.
Supreme Court decision increases VAT recovery risk on share sale costs
We explain what the Hotel La Tour decision means in practice and how businesses can manage the resulting VAT risk.
Autumn Budget 2025 — what international businesses need to know about UK tax changes
We break down what the Budget means for international employers, investors and multinational groups.
Last bid standing — Paramount’s Warner Bros takeover & the UK merger control test
We explore why Paramount's bid for Warner Bros is likely to trigger intense scrutiny by UK and EU regulators.
Making acquisitions work — 5 practical lessons from 25 years of deal experience
We set out the practical lessons, human factors and challenges that shape successful transactions, covering strategy, due diligence and post‑completion.
Brabners delivers fourth consecutive year of dealmaking growth
We’ve delivered another strong year of dealmaking, achieving 16% growth and advising on more than £900m in transactions.
London expansion & record revenues drive next phase of growth at Brabners
We’re delighted to announce the opening of a new office in London, marking a major milestone at the end of a year defined by strong financial performance.
ECCTA 2023 — changes to company registers & compliance duties explained
We explore the key changes that the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act ushers in and outline what they mean for companies going forward.
Can The Hundred challenge the IPL? 6 potential key changes explained in new era for English cricket
2025 could well be remembered as the ‘end of the beginning’ for The Hundred.
The evolving role of external counsel in corporate transactions
We break down the recurring challenges that GCs face across transactions and projects and outline how we can help them with practical, flexible support.
Brabners advises shareholders of Rural Solutions on strategic acquisition by Celnor Group
Our corporate team advised the shareholders of Rural Solutions on its acquisition by Celnor Group, an investor in businesses across the TICC sector.
Feeling trapped? Options for succession & exit for law firm partners
We explore the succession options available to law firm partners — from partner buy‑outs to private equity sales, acquisitions and EOTs.
Autumn Budget 2025 — Employee Ownership Trust capital gains tax changes explained
We explore the Chancellor’s decision to change the capital gains tax (CGT) relief available for disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs).
Why employee ownership is reshaping law firm succession
We explore why a law firm might favour an employee ownership model and outline the common themes behind their choice.
The Times Best Law Firms
We're thrilled to have been commended in three separate categories in The Times Best Law Firms 2026.
Supporting an NHS Trust to sell a dental practice to a private buyer
We supported Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) in the successful sale of Sandwich Dental Service.
What acquirers should know about the National Security & Investment Act
We explore what the NSIA means for investors, when to notify and why understanding control is key.
Shaping the future of IVF technology with expert transaction support
We’ve supported IMT Matcher in pursuing strategic partnership with ReproTech LLC, creating a global leader in IVF treatment technology.
Journey to exit — employee ownership advantages & challenges explained
We explore employee ownership as a route to exit and detail the associated benefits and challenges.
Journey to exit — 4 key deal structures when selling a business explained
Selling a business can be a daunting prospect. Yet while there are a variety of ways in which a deal can be structured, they all fall into a few broad categories.
14 top tips for successful mergers & acquisitions
Our experts share 14 of the most crucial lessons they've learned to help companies on the acquisition trail complete deals successfully.
Rethinking earn-outs in insurance M&A — why retained commission income is the metric that matters
As merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the insurance sector continues at pace, deal structures are evolving to reflect the unique economics of broking businesses.
How specialist EO advisors Brabners support businesses along their employee ownership journey
We support EOBs at three key milestones along the journey: the EO transition, incentivising senior leadership and financial freedom.
Thinking of exiting a business? When to stick, twist or show your hand
Exiting your business (showing your hand) is usually just one of many options that an entrepreneur should consider...
A purpose-led independent law firm, rooted in Lancashire
Founded in the North West in 1815, we care deeply about social and community impact.
Driven by our mission to make the difference, we became the UK’s largest law firm to achieve B Corp certification in 2022.
Also, through The Brabners Foundation, we partner closely with charities and social enterprises across Lancashire to create lasting impact.
Northern Ambition
The collaborative network for purpose-led businesses. We’re building a more sustainable and innovative tomorrow.
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Sustainable Business
In 2022, we proudly became the UK’s largest law firm (and the first outside London) to become B Corp certified.
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Community Impact
We channel the energy of our public-spirited people and clients towards improving our local communities.
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