Case Study: Strategic Legal Support for Corporate Merger
How Stratus Legal Group successfully guided a UK tech company through a complex multinational merger, maintaining 26% equity while ensuring full regulatory compliance.
Case Overview
In early 2021, Stratus Legal Group was engaged by a UK-based mid-sized technology company preparing for a strategic merger with a larger multinational enterprise. The merger involved significant legal complexity, including the consolidation of intellectual property, employee contracts, shareholder agreements, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
The client sought comprehensive legal representation to ensure that the merger would proceed smoothly, protecting their leadership position in the market while avoiding post-transaction risks related to tax exposure, regulatory breaches, or ownership dilution.
Legal Objectives & Scope of Work
- Regulatory Due Diligence: Conducted a full-scale legal audit of both companies to identify red flags in their corporate structure, IP portfolios, employment contracts, and data protection practices (GDPR).
- Merger Agreement Drafting: Led the drafting and negotiation of a 45-page Merger Agreement outlining asset transfers, liability allocation, valuation terms, and non-compete clauses.
- Shareholder Negotiation: Represented the client during shareholder board meetings to negotiate equity retention and voting rights post-merger.
- Employment Law Integration: Advised on TUPE regulations to ensure the lawful transfer of staff, and redrafted employment contracts to meet the structure of the new entity.
- Post-Merger Compliance: Created a 90-day legal compliance checklist for finance, operations, and HR teams across both companies.
Outcome & Results
The merger was successfully completed on schedule within a 90-day transaction window. Our legal strategy prevented disputes, ensured continuity in client contracts and intellectual property ownership, and helped the client maintain a strong equity position in the new joint entity.
- 90 Days to Completion
- 26% Equity Retained
- 0 Regulatory Violations
- 100% Client Satisfaction
The legal oversight provided by Stratus Legal Group was a critical success factor in the merger’s speed and transparency. All post-merger activities, including employment integration and GDPR compliance audits, were completed without regulatory violations. The comprehensive approach ensured seamless business continuity throughout the transition process.
Case Details
- Service Type: Corporate Merger
- Client Sector: Technology
- Lead Solicitor: Harry Gilmor, Founding Partner
- Completion Date: 20 January 2021
- Service Value: £55,000
- Practice Area: Business Law
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At Stratus Legal Group, we specialise in guiding corporate clients through mergers, acquisitions, and high-value business negotiations with discretion and precision.