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Matt is a Partner in the commercial team at Ward Hadaway, based in the Newcastle office, and acts for a wide range of clients from large multi-national corporate clients to early stage businesses. He is also Ward Hadaway's Training Principal with responsibilities for the recruitment and training of trainee solicitors in the firm.

Experience

Matt has extensive experience in corporate governance, corporate structures and commercial contracts, across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on advising technology businesses.

Matt acts for several listed software businesses, and numerous national scale and growing businesses in the technology space, including a variety of e-commerce and cloud-based businesses.

On contracts, Matt has significant experience preparing, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts including terms and conditions, distribution agreements, agency agreements and bespoke contracts for the supply of goods and services.

He has advised several high profile businesses on their standard customer-facing contracts, including in digital services and SaaS contracts.

Having worked within the in-house legal departments of both a FTSE 100 software company and a listed challenger bank, Matt has the ability to deliver complex sound yet commercially focused, pragmatic advice.

Outside of day to day trading matters, Matt regularly advises on the establishment of trading structures and corporate governance. He has acted as legal project manager on several projects for multi-national corporate groups, co-ordinating and managing legal input across various overseas jurisdictions.

Matt is a solicitor in residence at the Business and Intellectual Property Centre in Newcastle, where he provides initial consultations to fast growing start-up clients on a variety of legal issues.

What people say

  • Matthew Cormack in particular has been fantastic for me and the businesses I’ve worked in for a number of years and their attitude, work ethic, advice and professionalism have meant I have had no concerns about any legal areas of my business.

    Legal 500, client quote
  • Principal partners I have worked with are Mark Whitehead and Matt Cormack. Both Matt and Mark are involved in all aspects of our relationship and transactions, and are extremely hands on. Having this level of senior involvement really helps progress the matters at hand. Both Matt and Mark are adept at focusing in on the key issues and providing diligent advice in a manner that benefits both their clients, but also the progress of the particular transaction as a whole.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • Matthew Cormack is an excellent all-round lawyer. He has a wealth of experience in a wide-range of matters from corporate transactions through to consumer law issues. He is extremely responsive and it is clear he cares about his clients’ issues and objectives.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • Matt demonstrates a huge amount of knowledge, is very responsive and continues to act as an excellent advocate for us.

    Finance and Compliance Director, Software Company
  • Matt demonstrates in-depth knowledge and experience of our sector, and on top of that is extremely approachable and responsive and delivers sound, tailored advice in a warm, business focussed manner.

    Commercial Officer, Global manufacturer
  • It is a pleasure to work with Matt Cormack – across our panel of law firms, he stands out for his professional, diligent and calm approach.

    Head of Legal, World leading telecommunications business
  • Matt Cormack acts as an invaluable point of contact for us. He understands our business and we have fostered a strong relationship over a number of years which we are keen to continue.

    CEO, Global civil engineering company
  • We enjoy an excellent relationship with Matt – very competent, attentive and easy to get on with.

    Managing Director, Retail wholesaler
  • Professional, meticulous, friendly, trustworthy, and always quick to respond when required to do so.

    CEO, IT Consultants

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