Chris has particular expertise in the technology, financial services, pharmaceutical, recruitment, utilities, manufacturing and professional services sectors.
His expertise includes business sales and purchases, business development issues, company structures, commercial negotiation, software, intellectual property matters, mergers, acquisitions and disposals, shareholder disputes, management buy-outs, computer law, distribution and agency, franchising and trade marks.
He has written and broadcast widely on such legal issues. Chris also sits on the boards of various companies in an executive and non-executive capacity and holds The Financial Times Non-Executive Director Diploma.
In addition to a broad range of commercial clients in the UK, Chris also acts for a number of overseas companies particularly in the United States and frequently travels in the US and Europe in the course of business.
Chris gained an Open Scholarship to read Law at Cambridge University from which he graduated with Honours in 1977. After qualifying as a solicitor he worked in Brussels with the Directorate-General IV of the European Commission, specialising in legal aspects of Joint Ventures.
On returning to London in 1981 he joined the City law firm, Herbert Smith and subsequently Cameron McKenna, where he specialised in Company and Commercial work and developed particular specialism in UK and EU Competition Law.
Testimonials
“I have had the pleasure of dealing with Chris previously and always found him very knowledgeable, extremely caring, and always going the extra mile for his clients. I don’t think I’ve ever waited longer than a short while for him to reply which is a rare quality indeed. Unfortunately, through no fault of my own, I now find myself in a bit of a sticky situation. I had no hesitation in calling Chris. He is such a comfort to have on your side and I am so grateful I again made contact. He is a wonderful asset to your company and by far the best solicitor I have ever had dealings with by a country mile.“
B Sonenfeld
“I am well positioned to give a testimonial for Chris Sherliker, having worked with him as my personal and corporate lawyer for the past 22 years. He consistently operates with a dynamic, committed presence and brings, knowledge, authority and strength to all negotiations.
I operate in one of the fastest growth sectors globally and Chris and his teams are trusted to deliver consistent high-quality legal outcomes with a differential delivery speed, agility and quality.
As a client, I have experienced first-hand the quality of Chris and the Layton’s organisation. It puts creating long-term relationships with clients at the heart of the business. Over the years we have celebrated many wins together and never lost one battle.”
Chris Cooke, Chairman at NP Group
“I employed Chris in the sale process of my company. Throughout the long and detailed negotiations he was a key player in ensuring we achieved a very good price and more importantly a secure agreement protecting my interests then and in the future. I have continued to use his services since then and will employ him again in the sale of my next business.”
Peter Seagroatt, Business Owner
“I used Chris to advise me during the sale of my last venture to BT and NVP. He was extremely thorough and very responsive. I enjoyed working with Chris and would recommend him to anyone who needs a sharp mind when you are faced with strong legal teams on the other side of a transaction.”
Brendan Dowling
“Christopher is a fantastic lawyer with a broad understanding of business and the domestic and international law that surrounds it.”
Craig Ongley, Partner at Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC
“This chap is a treasure. He's open, generous, wise and witty. He knows all about his profession and he's a leader in the combination of the law and social media channels. I recommend him to anyone as a proper chap and great legal counsel. “
Mike Briercliffe, Digital Leader, Infotech and Snowsports Sectors
“After getting a horrendous service from another City law firm, we moved our account over to Chris, now at Laytons, and I have to admit, it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Chris is always professional, courteous and his rates are competitive. He’s always available for a quick chat, even when he’s busy. I think that’s a trait of great lawyer! I can’t eulogise about Chris enough because a finding a quality solicitor is like being offered an upgrade from Economy to First Class. You’ll know the difference straight away! “
Joe Luong, CEO, Crypta Labs
“I have worked with Christopher since 1993,on various contractual and M&A assignments. I have found the quality of the work produced to be first class and have always found Christopher in particular to be creative in recommending solutions to complex issues. I would be only too delighted recommend his work and that of his firm.”
Hugh Byrne, Managing Director, Confluence
“I have always enjoyed working with Chris and found his professionalism and client service is excellent. We have worked on many mutual clients and Chris is knowledgeable and a good person to have around the table on client matters.”
Graham Wallace, Partner, Barnes Roffe
“Chris and his team have so far found solutions to all the obstacles business life has thrown at me. He has a great ability to put the clients mind at ease which makes for a positive working relationship. I have recommended Chris on several occasions and would always do so.”
Simon Walsh, Account Director, Apogee Corporation
“Chris is a thought leader in the use of modern technology to drive a law firm forward. We have a mutual understanding of the benefits to lawyers of using social media and have appeared together on webinars hosted in the USA on this topic. Chris is, of course, a very experienced business and commercial lawyer with specialist knowledge in IT/IP and trade marks. He is the first port of call for me when referring my clients to a solicitor who can advise in these areas. His approach is one of warmth and kindness with wit thrown in to boot. I would highly recommend Chris and his firm to anyone needing good honest legal advice in England.”
Brian Inkster, Inksters, Scotland
“I would highly recommend Chris Sherliker and Silverman Sherliker as the ultimate legal partner. Chris has helped us in registering a trade mark as well as other legal matters and I found him to be very prompt, completely understood our needs and was extremely efficient. “
Elena Todorova, SPF Private Clients
“Christopher is a great guy to work with because of his personality, creativity and intelligence. As a guest on my podcast "How UK Lawyers are Using Social Media" Chris helped bring in one of the largest audiences I have had on my program. He is also an innovator and thought leader as one of the first lawyers in the UK to put their firm on Twitter. I would highly recommend him to anybody that needs a corporate Lawyer in the UK. “
Adrian Dayton, Consultant, USA
“Christopher Sherliker is one of the most proactive and forward thinking users of the social media amongst lawyers - engaging with others and building relationships, advising and alerting his contacts to the legal issues and business opportunities to be found when doing business in the brave new world of the new media. I have introduced work to him on the basis of his energy, drive and knowledge of the law - and his commitment to making the relationship with the client a valuable one for the client.”
Sara Dixon, Business Owner
“Chris Sherliker has represented my company, Logicscope, on several occasions. We found him at all times intelligent, responsive and flexible - all at reasonable cost.
John Jessop, Advisor, Speakerbus Ltd
“Chris has been able to give me invaluable advice on how to move my business forward - and when to seek legal help. He is extremely personable, with over twenty years of experience. Unlike most lawyers he is very entrepreneurial in his thinking and outlook, so he and his firm will be a great asset to any growing firm. I have recommended Chris and the firm many times over the last six months, and will carry on doing so.”
Heather Townsend, Consultant, Founder, The Accountants Millionaires Club,
“Chris is also far from what you would expect from the average lawyer as on top of that professionalism and commercialism is also a forward thinking business owner. If people ask me for a recommendation for a lawyer it is to Chris that I send them.“
Richard Alvin, Founder and Chairman, Audere Capital
Contact details
Tel: +44 (0)20 7842 8000
DDI: +44 (0)20 7842 8015
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Qualifications
Qualified as a Solicitor in 1980
Recommendations
Expertise
News & Insights
The recently launched Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners legal directories have recognised Laytons LLP for a number of key services across London, Manchester and Guildford including Corporate & Commercial, Dispute Resolution, Commercial Property, Family and Property Litigation services.
The recent proliferation of ‘crypto-opportunities’ and schemes to fund Bitcoin mining operations, all beg the question of the extent to which such creditably imaginative schemes are regulated by the FSMA financial promotion restrictions.
A team of 10 runners from Laytons LLP took on the challenge of Run the River, a major charity event that criss-crosses the Thames.