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Robert is a Partner in the Corporate department.

He has over 35 years’ of M&A experience advising on acquisitions, disposals, mergers, corporate structuring and reorganisations for public and private clients.  In the North East the team were recognised for the third year running as the most prolific dealmakers in the region in the 2020 Experian M&A rankings, and when combined with Leeds and Manchester, were ranked the ninth most active firm in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Robert also manages the firm’s membership of Geneva Group International, the world’s leading international alliance of more than 650 independent professional organisations where he has a leading M&A role.  This gives him a unique perspective on international dealmaking, and direct connectivity with some of the most experiencing dealmaking professionals around the world.

Robert is the General Editor of the leading practitioners’ guide “Sinclair on Warranties and Indemnities on Shares and Asset Sales” 11th Edition, widely regarded as the lawyers’ dealmaking bible, and the technical benchmark for the legal M&A community.

Experience

Robert is recognised by both clients and independent legal commentators as one of the leading corporate lawyers in the North East known, in particular, for his strong, practical and commercial approach.

He has a broad range of experience in managing and leading transactions of all sizes regionally, nationally and internationally.

 

What people say

  • In particular, I would like to underline the partner and head of the corporate department Rob Thompson. I have limitless professional and personal esteem for him, but also for his entire team. It is very comforting to work with partners like Rob Thompson, who manage to keep control in all situations, who genuinely care and who combine professionalism with fast, solid and tangible results, always remaining extremely competitive. It is also personally a rewarding experience to work with Rob Thompson. For me, he is simply one of the best commercial / M&A lawyers in the United Kingdom.

    Legal 500
  • He is a brilliant lawyer. A strategic and fast thinker who is solutions-orientated and results driven with encyclopedic knowledge.

    Client quote
  • Rob and the Ward Hadaway team were simply brilliant throughout

    Client Quote
  • Rob Thompson, is a master of his craft. He can run rings round any lawyer he is up against, but doesn’t feel the need to constantly prove his superiority. He stays close to the detail, but provides perspective and context to his team so that the legal process becomes an enabler rather than a blockage. I can wholeheartedly recommend them. They simply get the job done quickly and effectively.

    Client quote
  • Robert Thompson and his team led the transaction without loss of momentum to ensure that we completed the deal with no erosion of value. This was no mean feat but was delivered with a calmness and professionalism commensurate with their reputation as leaders in their field.

    Client quote
  • Robert Thompson is a highly respected corporate lawyer with a wealth of experience in representing private and owner-managed businesses in their various sales and purchases.

    Chambers & Partners
  • Robert is considered ‘straight-talking, no-nonsense and easy to understand’. ‘He takes time to listen to what I want to achieve and then recommends a strategy’

    Chambers & Partners
  • He is very experienced and understands the market and the region.

    Chambers & Partners
  • I would not hesitate to recommend Ward Hadaway to any shareholders considering selling their business. Having been approached by a trade acquirer, the team at Ward Hadaway provided us with clear, expert advice regarding all aspects of the sale process and the expectations likely to be upon each shareholder post sale.

    Client quote

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