Fasten your seatbelt… Are you ready to take off?
It’s time to realise your ambition and increase income. We’re here to support you every step of the way whether that’s rapidly expanding employee numbers or acquiring other firms to generate growth. Evolving your business may mean transitioning to a different business model/setup, joining an international marketplace or perhaps franchising out.
Opportunities and risks touch operations across your business. Finance directors, HR directors, In-house counsel and C-suite leaders all need flexible support to cover gaps in specialist legal areas.
Here are some of the challenges you may encounter:
Detailed provisions are likely to be required in order to set expectations for the more complex roles. If required, we can help you put together a director’s service agreement, separate to that of their employment contract, so that the elements of a director’s role can be clearly established, and boundaries met, just in case a disagreement arises at a later date.
As your business scales, its use and management of data will evolve and become more complex. We can help protect your business from data breaches, ICO fines and reputational damage with a holistic approach to data governance.
Data Breaches & Incident Management
Data Protection Health Check
Data Protection Impact Assessments
Data Protection Officer Support Services
Our aim is to assist you efficiently through the investment process with your long-term goals in mind to drive negotiations and help move your company forward.
Acquisition & Leveraged Debt
Asset Finance & Asset Based Lending
Venture Capital Legal Services
Mergers and acquisitions can be a great way to expand your business, whether into other sectors, geographies or simply to make economies of scale. Even in the early stages however, good legal advice is essential as these transactions can become protracted and harmful to your existing business. We can support you along every step, from evaluating a company for acquisition, conducting due diligence, advising on the Takeover Code, through to making any necessary filings with government agencies.
Your contracts need to keep pace with the fast moving commercial requirements of your business. Good contract life cycle management will ensure your contracts stay fit for purpose, making it easier to understand the commitments, potential risks and timescales of the agreements you enter into.
Commercial Contract Disputes
Attract and retain top talent with employee share schemes that align staff to your business goals, fit in with your company’s plans, constitution and shareholders, comply with regulations, and don’t break the bank.
Non Tax-Advantaged Share Schemes
You’ll need the right people in the right places to hit your growth targets. Achieving this will require a balance between hiring new employees and outsourcing specific business functions. You’ll need to develop a clear strategy so your contracts and procedures align with your objectives and reduce risk.
Drafting Subcontractor Agreements
We’ll help you to protect your commercial interests as you move into new markets and diversify your offering. Tariffs, regulations and a host of contractual considerations may require you to create new processes and procedures. Drawing on our many years of experience enables us to provide up-to-the-minute advice and help you to anticipate the legal impact of potential future changes on your business.
Sale & Distribution Agreements
Intellectual Property Strategy
Dealing with contract disputes can be frustrating, mentally challenging and a time-consuming process. It’s paramount to make a rational decision based on the best interests of your business when considering the best way to go about settling these disputes, which means that when relationships between the contractual parties turn sour, understanding of your rights, deciding on the best options for your business and having an effective strategy is crucial.
Commercial Contract Disputes
Commercial Property Disputes
Defending Employment Tribunal claims
Intellectual Property Disputes
Taking the decision to go public is a major step that requires careful planning and expert advice to ensure a successful flotation. Our expert IPO lawyers will work alongside you every step of the way, from helping you restructure your business pre-IPO, setting up a comprehensive data room, drafting your prospectus and admission documents, and working closely with you throughout the listing process itself.
Corporate Governance Lawyers
Join us in celebrating the successes of our clients and discover what we’re doing to champion growing businesses across the UK. Here’s a selection of our latest insights and updates.
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Client stories
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We can scale our support to match your changing needs
However large or small (We supported Europe’s fastest ever double unicorn go from 8 staff to a $5B valuation!)
Your objective friend, our lawyers are impartial advisors
We take a step back and spot the problems and opportunities.
With a wealth of in-house and industry experience
Our advice is grounded in the reality of how the law should be applied in the ‘real world’.
Fast, focused and considered advice
We’re here whenever you need us, giving you the information needed to make informed decisions.
Work with specialists in each area of business law
We help fill any knowledge gaps so there are no blind spots in your team’s capabilities. Your business can quickly take its next step.
A dedicate panel of solicitors who know your business inside out
Our Extend plan gives you a dedicated panel of solicitors creating a genuine partnership relationship, committed to your vision
We pride ourselves on delivering an excellent service for clients, but don’t just take our word for it.
Harper James never fail to impress with the speed and efficiency of their service, no matter the query. The team are friendly, knowledgeable and always on hand.
Karis Walker Project Managing Officer, Thyssenkrupp
Harper James are our trusted legal adviser and having them by our side at key moments in our business growth, knowing we are protected, is immensely reassuring.
Chris Mason CEO, Namos Solutions
We often need legal advice quickly, especially during sales with new customers, and Rob is very responsive and always available for meetings. When I was looking for a law firm, I wanted that full range of services, as I knew we’d need advice outside of the tech remit. The flexibility has been really positive.
Ivan Harding CEO and Co-Founder, Applaud
Harper James has been the ideal law firm for Paragraf because of the flexibility that’s built into the extend subscription package. With HJ, I have all the legal expertise and answers I need at the end of an email. We have ambitious plans to fulfil, pushing our product lines overseas and bringing graphene electronics to the masses. There’s no better partner to help us get there than Harper James.
Cathy Cranton Financial Director, Paragraf
Harper James have proved to be a reliable and extremely cost effective resource for our growing business. We appreciate the accessibility of the service and the firm’s willingness to advise and assist with all matters, whether large or small
Cem Savas Co-Founder, Plentific
I can’t sing our solicitor’s praises enough: fast, efficient, sensible and supportive. A quick and fair resolution to all queries that we have worked on together and would thoroughly recommend her to any of my contacts.
Samuel B Higgs Account Director, Signal Media
Unlike traditional law firms, we’ve designed our service plans specifically to meet the needs of businesses, providing flexibility, value and peace of mind.
Many of our scale-up clients choose to work with us via our Extend plan, as it provides a smarter way for high-growth and established businesses to get legal advice – the fully account managed quarterly subscription service gives you priority access to highly experienced solicitors, whenever you need them, at a budget set by you.
Flexible access to senior solicitors at highly competitive rates
An alternative to our subscription plans, offering access to full service legal expertise on a project-by-project basis.
Comprehensive legal partnership for established businesses
Fully account managed and scalable annual subscription plan with support from a curated team of partners and senior solicitors, with up to 33% discount on our Standard Rates.
Purpose built legal support for start-ups and smaller businesses
Monthly subscription plan for £259 per month, with £174 monthly credit and access to all legal services at 50% discount on our Standard Rates.
Meet Our Team
Our service is delivered by lawyers who understand how businesses operate in the real world, with many coming from industry themselves. We take a holistic approach designed to mitigate risk and maximise opportunity.
Partner and Head of IP and Brand Protection
Ben is a dual-qualified solicitor and Chartered Trade Mark Attorney (qualifying in 2016) and assists clients with trade mark clearance searching, brand strategy and world wide trade mark protection as well as dealing with a range of intellectual property disputes and litigation.
Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution
Ian joined our dispute resolution team in 2016 and has over 25 years of experience in handling a broad range of commercial disputes.
Partner - Corporate
Nikki is a corporate partner and joined Harper James in November 2022. She is a specialist M&A lawyer and has a wide range and depth of experience working with her clients on a variety of corporate transactions.
Partner and Head of Employment Law
Simon acts for employers of all sizes, particularly tech and manufacturing, and specialises in managing people matters, including TUPE, sales and acquisitions of companies, and restructures/redundancies.
Director of Legal Strategy and Operations & Head of Commercial
With over 24 years’ experience advising on commercial matters, Stephen brings a wealth of technology expertise having previously worked in-house as senior counsel to BT before joining private practice.
Previous
Things are moving forwards and you’re wanting to ensure the fundamentals are in line with the way you see the business shaping. Small disputes and resolutions are likely cropping up.
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Next
You’re exiting in your current format which means you’re looking to sell shares, structure deals and ensure a smooth transition for both the company and your own next venture.
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