Macfarlanes LLP is a London-based law firm and a member of the UK's "Silver Circle" of elite law firms.
The firm is ranked as the UK's most profitable major law firm by profit margin and serves a global client base across Private Capital, M&A, Private Wealth, and Disputes.
History Macfarlanes was founded in the City of London in 1875 by George Watson Neish. In 1894 Neish was joined in partnership by John Embleton Macfarlane and the firm moved to premises in Watling Street. The firm's offices suffered bomb damage during the Second World War. In 1958, the firm moved to a new office, Dowgate Hill House. In 1962, the firm adopted its current name Macfarlanes, named after then-senior partner Craig Macfarlane. The firm has grown organically over the years to its current size and has never merged.
Vanni Treves was the firm's senior partner from 1987 to 1999. Macfarlanes converted to a limited liability partnership in May 2008.
In September 2010, Macfarlanes advised Four Seasons Health Care, the largest UK-based care home group, on the restructuring of its £1.6 billion debt facilities. In October 2010 the firm announced that it would be introducing a new senior solicitor level from early 2011. In July 2012 Macfarlanes advised Stanhope, backed by Mitsui Fudosan UK and the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, on its purchase of the BBC Television Centre.
In January 2012, Macfarlanes was joined by a nine-strong team from the boutique specialist hedge fund law firm, D Harris & Co International Limited, to complement the firm's existing hedge funds practice.
In September 2013, Macfarlanes advised Verizon Communications on its acquisition of Vodafone's 45 per cent interest in Verizon Wireless for $130 billion, one of the biggest deals in corporate history.
In July 2026, Macfarlanes advised Ares on the acquisition of French football club Olympique Lyonnais by US businesswoman Michele Kang, following the administration of its parent company, Eagle Football Holdings.
Macfarlanes is among the firms operating a 'pass-first time' policy for training contract students sitting the SQE.
Main practice areas
Macfarlanes' main practice areas are:
List of senior partners Herbert James (1984–1987) Vanni Treves (1987–1999) Robert Sutton (1999–2008) Charles Martin (2008–2020) Sebastian Prichard Jones (2020–2026) Damien Crossley (2026–present)
Notable alumni Notable alumni of Macfarlanes include: David Gauke, Conservative MP and former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Sir David Tang, noted socialite (joined as a trainee solicitor, but left before completing his training contract)
References
External links Macfarlanes website
Macfarlanes Private Capital Solutions website