Sam Durling is a solicitor in our corporate team who specialises in mergers and acquisitions and the disposal of assets and shares. Since qualifying in September 2022, Sam has quickly established himself as a rising talent in the field, earning recognition from the Legal 500 in 2024.
Sam regularly works with family-owned and owner-managed businesses across diverse sectors including dental practices, hotels, nurseries and manufacturing companies. He understands that every business transaction is unique, requiring a tailored approach that balances commercial objectives with practical considerations.
Sam's expertise spans the full spectrum of corporate transactions. Whether you're considering a trade sale, exploring management buy-out opportunities or considering selling to an employee ownership trust, Sam has the experience to guide you through the process. He also assists with company restructures and prepares essential corporate governance documents, including shareholders' agreements and articles of association.
What sets Sam apart is his commitment to taking a commercial and pragmatic approach to each client's unique challenges. He focuses on understanding your business goals and works to mitigate risks while keeping transactions moving forward efficiently.
Recent client successes
- Guided a high net worth individual through the complex acquisition of a company in an unfamiliar industry, providing detailed support through the due diligence process and successfully limiting significant risks to the company's future operations.
- Advised a client on an asset sale to a Lincolnshire-based trading partner, securing crucial protection for substantial deferred consideration that had previously been overlooked. Sam’s intervention ensured his client's interests were properly safeguarded.
- When a client faced a challenging shareholder buyout due to a relationship breakdown, Sam provided multiple strategic options with clear analysis of benefits and drawbacks, enabling the parties to move forward after months of stalemate and successfully complete the transaction.
As one client noted: "Though it would be unfair to pick anyone out from the group of solicitors that I had working with me, I must say that Sam Durling was an MVP."
Sam's combination of technical expertise, commercial awareness and commitment to client service makes him an invaluable partner for businesses navigating complex corporate transactions.
