A practical and immersive introduction to the legal frameworks that underpin private equity transactions. This course gives delegates a clear and comprehensive understanding of the key agreements used throughout the PE investment lifecycle, equipping them to navigate legal documentation with confidence and clarity.
Led by experienced legal practitioners specialising in PE, the programme demystifies how deal terms are constructed, negotiated and enforced. Delegates will explore the purpose, structure and common clauses of core agreements, and understand how legal considerations shape commercial decision‑making.
Audience
GP Firms: This course is designed for firms focused on private equity, including mid-market, growth, and large buyouts.
Individuals: Ideal for investment professionals working in PE, who want to gain a practical understanding of the documentary processes, legalities and commercial issues surrounding PE transactions. If unsure, please consult the agenda or reach out to the team.
Note: For firms focused on Venture Capital, please refer to our Legal Agreements in VC course.
Key topics include
- Legal structure of transactions
- Pricing structure
- Warranties and indemnities
- Documenting the equity deal:
- Shareholder agreements
- Articles of association
- Service agreements
- Term sheet
- Insurance
- Banking agreement
- Exits
- Case Studies
- Working with your lawyer
What will delegates take away?
- Understand the role and structure of key PE legal documents, and how each fits within the investment process.
- Recognise essential clauses
- Develop a commercial lens on legal terms, understanding how documentation reflects risk allocation, valuation and deal dynamics.
- Gain confidence engaging with legal counsel, knowing what to look for, when to ask questions and how to spot areas requiring escalation.
- Improve ability to support deal execution, from early-stage documentation through to signing and completion mechanics.
Benefits to employers
- Better‑aligned deal teams, with commercial and legal perspectives brought together earlier and more efficiently.
- Reduced execution risk, as team members become familiar with common pitfalls and understand the practical implications of contractual provisions.
- Improved collaboration with external counsel, saving time and increasing cost‑efficiency.
FAQs about this course
What should I expect on the day?
Please arrive with plenty of time to register. Breakfast will be provided along with lunch and refreshments, with a drinks reception at the end of day 1. The course will kick off with introductions, followed by content from multiple speakers as per the agenda.
What’s the dress code?
Smart casual.
What should I bring with me?
You may wish to bring something to work on/ to take notes, such as a laptop or an iPad (we will provide note pads and pens).
Will materials be shared with delegates?
Yes, all materials, including slides and case studies, will be shared with delegates.
Format
In-person, London
Course Director
The course is led by Mark Freer. Learn more about him below.
Mark Freer
Mark Freer has over 25 years investment experience in both the private equity and growth capital markets, most notably with LDC and BGF. During that time, Mark had the privilege of working alongside a variety of owners and management teams across many different sectors, supporting them in accelerating and achieving their own growth plans.
Since leaving BGF in 2021, Mark continues to work with small and medium sized businesses, both as Chair and in an advisory capacity. Alongside this, he also pursues his passion for training, working with several organisations, such as UK Private Capital, to share some of the lessons he has learnt over his 25-year investment career.
At other times, you might find Mark sitting at his piano playing some familiar tunes.
Guest speakers
The course features guest speakers with a wealth of expertise and experience from across the private capital industry. Click a speaker below to learn more about them. Please note, guest speakers may vary depending on the course schedule.
Danny Westmoreland
Danny Westmoreland is a Partner in DLA Piper's Corporate team, based in London. He is a private equity and M&A lawyer, working across a number of sectors, with a particular focus on media, sport and entertainment and technology. Danny acts for private equity investors, management teams and portfolio companies in relation to buyouts, exits, restructurings, bolt-ons and management incentive plans.
Danny works with media and entertainment companies, sports teams, owners and investors on a range of M&A activity including acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures. Whilst working at DLA Piper, Danny has been seconded to the Premier League and LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group.
Dominic Rose
Dominic leads Aon's EMEA corporate client M&A distribution channel, working closely with the M&A team's advisory specialists across IP, cyber, people solutions and risk disciplines, and with its transaction solutions brokers. He also designs, structures and places warranty and indemnity insurance solutions to support corporate, private equity and infrastructure clients in their M&A transactions. Dominic joined Aon in 2017 from the London office of US law Paul Hastings, having originally qualified and practised as an M&A/Corporate Associate at Herbert Smith.
Edward Griffiths
Edward Griffiths has experience in private equity, international M&A, and group reorganisations. He has particular experience of advising on complex transactions across multiple jurisdictions. Edward acts for institutional investors, corporates, and management teams in the UK and internationally and has represented a wide range of clients on deals across different industry sectors including technology, manufacturing, financial services, leisure, and publishing.
Eilidh Morrison
Eilidh is a Corporate Senior Associate at Travers Smith, focusing primarily on UK and international private equity and M&A transactions. Eilidh has a broad experience advising institutional investors, large corporates and management teams on a range of acquisitions, disposals and other corporate matters.
Prior to joining Travers Smith Eilidh was a solicitor at a leading Scottish law firm. She is currently on secondment at leading mid-market private equity firm Equistone Partners Europe.
Electra Callan
Electra Callan has specialised in private equity transactions for over a decade. She has a broad range of experience advising private equity clients on M&A transactions, deploying buy and build strategies and providing advice on general portfolio company management. In particular, Electra has significant experience in acting for private equity investors on complex cross-border carveouts, negotiating and implementing ‘club deals’ on larger transactions, establishing and re-cutting management incentive schemes and corporate restructurings. Electra features in The Lawyer’s “Hot 100” list for 2024.
Emma McDonnell
Emma McDonnell is a Tax Associate and a member of the Private Funds, Private Equity Transactions and Mergers & Acquisitions Groups. Emma advises clients on a broad range of UK and international corporate tax matters, with a particular focus on private fund formation, as well as the tax aspects of UK and cross-border M&A transactions (often private equity backed) and private credit financing arrangements.
Emma also represents institutional investors in structuring and negotiating their private fund investments, including primary and secondary investments and bespoke transactions.
Emma was selected as a Protégée for Proskauer’s Women Sponsorship Program 2025, an initiative that champions high-performing, mid-level and senior lawyers as emerging leaders within the firm.
Isaac Paine
Isaac is a senior associate at Mayer Brown and specialises in advising private equity sponsors on all stages of the investment lifecycle, including leveraged buyouts, minority investments, exits and portfolio company matters. He also has significant experience advising on complex domestic and cross-border M&A transactions.
Isaac has been recognised by the UK Legal 500 as a key lawyer for mid-market private equity transactions.
James Cross
James Cross is a partner in the Private Equity team at global law firm Hogan Lovells, based in the London office. With broad-ranging international corporate experience spanning over 20 years, James is “a prolific transactional adviser” (Legal 500 UK, 2024) supporting sponsor, investor, and portfolio company clients throughout the investment lifecycle.
James advises clients on all forms of private equity transactions, including buy-outs, secondary transactions, restructurings and bolt-on acquisitions. He guides both investors and management across a number of sectors, including technology, manufacturing and industrials, education, healthcare, financial services, consumer, and business services.
James has advised numerous private equity sponsors on auction processes/bids. He also has particular experience acting for management teams. With an international practice, he frequently advises investors on cross-border acquisitions and investments, and on complex corporate carve-outs.
James Scott
As an Associate in Hogan Lovells' London Corporate Team, James advises both international and domestic clients on a wide range of corporate transactional and governance matters, with a particular focus on private M&A and private equity. James represents clients from a broad range of sectors, but has significant experience in the financial services, IT / fintech and sport sectors, and has spent six months on secondment to a major London private equity house (Actis).
John Pryor
With over 18 years of experience advising investors and management teams on domestic and international transactions, John is an experienced private equity adviser. As part of the Band 1 PE and M&A teams at leading international law firm, DLA Piper, John has a particular focus on advising investors on mid-market private equity transactions and management teams on large cap investments. John is regularly recommended in the Legal 500 for mid-market PE and was recognised as a rising star in PE by Legal Week.
Jonathan Angell
Jonathan is a Corporate Partner, based in our London office, supporting clients across the full spectrum of their corporate, M&A and transactional activities. He has particular experience in the financial services/asset management sector (including insurance and other regulated businesses) as well as in private equity/venture capital.
He works with a broad range of clients including: corporate entities (public and private), partnerships and LLPs; private equity firms, alternative asset managers, investment firms, family offices, finance providers (equity and debt) and other strategic/institutional investors; entrepreneurs, founders and management teams on corporate matters across a wide variety of sectors and industries.
With more than 30 years' experience, he is a trusted adviser for clients on matters which are of the utmost importance to them, whatever the monetary value, providing strategic, commercial and practical advice and enabling them to close their transactions in a timely manner. That breadth and depth of experience also means that he is called on to represent clients on particularly complex transactions, often with a significant cross-border element.
Jonathan's practice encompasses mergers and acquisitions; joint ventures; private equity, including venture/development capital and co-investments; reorganisations; corporate governance; and other general corporate advice.
Juliana Zuniga
Dual Qualified Lawyer, admitted to practice in England, Wales and Colombia, with more than six years of experience in the legal sector in Colombia, with a focus on contract, corporate and transactional matters. Currently working as an Associate Director at Aon, brokering W&I Insurance and advising clients on W&I coverage.
Mike Birkett
Mike is a Corporate Partner at Eversheds Sutherland, based in London. He advises on a wide range of UK and cross-border M&A transactions, with a particular focus on private equity. His practice spans buyouts, disposals, minority investments, and bolt-on acquisitions, with experience advising sponsors across sectors including financial services, technology, business services, and healthcare. Mike is also highly regarded for his work with private equity-backed management teams, regularly advising on buyouts and equity incentive arrangements.
Neil Hendron
Neil works with companies at all stages of development and regularly advises on a wide range of corporate transactions – acting for venture capital and private equity investors, corporates and business owners. The types of transactions Neil delivers range from advising established companies and investors on significant investments to working with spin-out and start-up companies on early stage fundraising rounds.
Private company mergers and acquisition work also represents a material part of Neil's practice and he regularly acts for international corporations and institutional investors on significant acquisitions and divestments and has particular experience in international private company M&A.
Neil helps clients achieve their transactional objectives efficiently and effectively and enjoys helping clients achieve goals that are important to their business. Corporate transactional work can often be complex and Neil sees one of his main roles as trying to manage this complexity and make the process as painless as possible for his clients. An important part of achieving this is working with clients and spending time getting an understanding of their business and what matters most to them.
Paul L. Jackson
Paul is a Principal Associate in our Corporate group and has particular experience in equity capital markets. His areas of focus include initial public offerings, secondary fundraisings and reverse takeovers. Paul has acted on corporate transactions across numerous sectors, including Energy, Finance, Medical, Life Sciences, Oil & Gas and Property.
Philip Allenby
Philip Allenby has more than 15 years' experience in private equity, international M&A and venture capital. He has particular experience of advising on complex transactions across multiple jurisdictions. Philip acts for institutional investors, corporates, and management teams in the UK and internationally and has represented a wide range of clients on deals across different industry sectors including technology, professional and financial services, leisure and healthcare. Notable clients include Grant Thornton, IFS, Wireless Logic, Marshall, Holland & Barrett and All Interests Aligned.
Richard Miller
Richard Miller is a Partner in the Tax Department and a member of the Private Funds, Private Equity Transactions and Mergers & Acquisitions Groups. Richard provides advice on a full range of UK and international tax matters. His practice specifically focuses on all aspects of the private fund lifecycle. Richard acts for private fund asset managers in structuring and raising investments funds, structuring carried interest and coinvestment arrangements, establishment and operation of fund management businesses, M&A and investment activity and finance transactions. Richard also represents institutional investors in structuring and negotiation their private fund investment activity including primary and secondary investments and bespoke transactions.
Tom Hartwright
Tom is a Corporate Partner at Travers Smith, specialising in complex cross-border and domestic private equity and M&A transactions. His clients include international institutional investors, alternative asset managers, senior management teams, founders, corporates and investee companies. Tom advises on a full range of transactions including leveraged buyouts, consortium deals, bolt-on acquisitions, carve-outs, co-investments, minority deals, recapitalisations, divestments, distressed M&A, public-to-privates, joint ventures, reorganisations and restructurings together with advising on general corporate matters.
Tom also advises the firm's global asset management clients on GP-stake transactions, GP succession planning (including restructuring ownership and governance arrangements) and structured secondary market liquidity solutions (including GP-led and LP-led secondary transactions).
Tom Hughes
Since completing his training contract with CMS in 2011, Tom has been an integral member of the banking practice at CMS. In 2014 he undertook a business secondment within the Structured Finance team at RBS where he gained first-hand experience of buyout financing. Since progressing to Senior Associate in 2017 Tom’s practice has focussed on leveraged finance whilst also working with our TMT sector team on fibre financing projects in the UK and Europe.
Tom’s pragmatic approach and deep understanding of his practice area make him a trusted advisor to both Sponsors and Lenders. He has been recognised in the Legal 500 and is a regular presenter at BVCA training conferences.
Course testimonial
"This course exceeded expectations and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to colleagues."
CPD accreditation
This course is CPD accredited by the CPD Certification Service for 14 hours. By attending this course, you will receive a digital certificate from Diplomasafe. This certificate allows you to share and save your new CPD accredited qualification on LinkedIn, adding instantly verifiable credentials and strengthening your professional profile.
