About Pillsbury
Pillsbury is a leading international law firm with deep experience advising technology companies and their investors.
Our London office offers both English and US law capabilities, supporting a diverse client base that includes emerging businesses, established corporates, financial institutions and investors. The team advises on a broad range of transactions, including venture capital and growth equity financings, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity, finance, global sourcing & technology transactions, asset finance, investment funds, capital markets and projects.
With a presence in London and other key international markets—such as New York, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Houston, Hong Kong, Beijing and Tokyo—Pillsbury delivers seamless counsel across an integrated US and global platform.
Establishing and Managing a Business in the UK
Our London team has produced Establishing and Managing a Business in the UK, a practical guide offering legal, regulatory and commercial insights for those looking to set up and manage a business in the UK. Whether you are an overseas investor, a growing start-up or an established company, understanding the UK’s legal landscape is key to success.
For foreign investors, however, navigating the UK’s legal and regulatory framework can present unique challenges—ranging from company formation and compliance requirements to employment law, data protection and sector-specific regulations. Whether you’re setting up a UK branch, forming a subsidiary, acquiring assets or entering into a joint venture, our guide highlights the key legal considerations and strategic decisions that can shape your investment journey.
With this guide, our aim is to help you navigate the UK business environment with greater clarity and confidence. By understanding both established legal principles and emerging regulatory trends, companies and investors can seize opportunities, manage risk and build lasting value in one of the world’s most open economies.
Download the guide: Establishing and Managing a Business in the UK.
Emerging Companies & Venture Capital (ECVC)
Ranked among the top 6 most active law firms globally for venture capital financings (LSEG) and top 12 in the UK and Ireland (PitchBook), Pillsbury advises entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and emerging growth companies on company formation, financings, governance, technology transactions, acquisitions, and public offerings.
Our ECVC team also represents many of the most active corporate venture capital (CVC) and strategic investors, guiding them through thousands of domestic and international investments—from pre-seed to late-stage rounds—across sectors including climatetech, food & beverage, and energy. Representative clients include Chevron, AT&T, Maersk, IQVIA, Intel, Riot Games, Orlando Health, and Jollibee Foods Corporation.
IP/Commercial Contracts
From drafting initial IP agreements between founders to navigating the full spectrum of confidentiality, IP ownership, and licensing agreements required to engage with customers, partners, and investors, Pillsbury’s IP and Commercial Contracts team helps startups build a strong legal foundation. We regularly advise on patent acquisitions, licensing, and dispositions, and are adept at negotiating complex technology agreements, strategic partnerships, development contracts, and data rights arrangements. Our team also counsels startups on privacy compliance and broader commercial and corporate matters as they scale.
Pillsbury’s Role in the Energy Transition
Pillsbury’s Energy practice is recognised globally for its innovation in energy transition, helping companies to advance new energy technologies and meet decarbonisation goals. With a proven track record, our lawyers support various climatetech and cleantech clients, including Chevron, Entocycle, Searo Labs, WNWN Food Labs, At One Ventures, Paua, NatureAlpha and MycoTechnology.
We Understand the Renewables Industry
We’ve worked on transactions that have expanded the capacity of renewable energy across all sources — wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, biofuel and renewable natural gas. The industry’s leading participants — including sponsors and developers, commercial and investment banks, manufacturers and technology companies — turn to us for our industry insights, commercial awareness and solutions for the financial, tax, technical, business, regulatory and political aspects of their ventures. We provide our clients with the perspective to navigate their transactions efficiently.
Global Hydrogen Map
As one of the first Hydrogen practices launched by an AmLaw 100 firm, Pillsbury created and maintains The Hydrogen Map, the first public resource tracking the development of hydrogen projects worldwide. The interactive Pillsbury Hydrogen Map is a first-of-its-kind interactive resource that reflects rapid progression of hydrogen projects and technologies worldwide. The map concentrates on “green” and “blue” hydrogen projects—production facilities that meet low-carbon thresholds by using either zero-carbon sources such as renewables or nuclear power or by capturing, storing or reusing carbon emissions produced by fossil fuel-based hydrogen production methods—with more than 200 projects already included. This data set will expand over time, with existing entries updated as projects progress and the potential to add more information to help readers find projects of interest to them. Check out the interactive Pillsbury Hydrogen Map here: Hydrogen Energy Map Tracker | Pillsbury Law.
Our Leading Food & Beverage Practice
Pillsbury is one of only a few major international law firms with significant restaurant, alcoholic beverage, and packaged-food and beverage practices. We offer clients a dedicated team of industry-focused lawyers and consultants with deep sector knowledge, global reach and broad experience addressing the legal and commercial challenges facing food and beverage sector participants.
From brand protection and IP optimisation to franchising, corporate governance, leasing, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution, Pillsbury delivers comprehensive legal solutions backed by the resources of a full-service global firm.
Foodtech/Agtech Practice
Our market-leading firm advises clients across the globe in foodtech and agtech transactions. With decades of experience, our lawyers represent investors as well as companies at the intersection of agriculture, food, technology, and life sciences— supporting the creation, adoption and commercialisation of innovative technologies in these evolving sectors.
Free Resources for Founders and Startups
We built Pillsbury Propel to provide free access to automated documents and guidance for launching your start-up in the US. Keep an eye out for our new UK-specific pages. Check out pillsburypropel.com for automated documents and guidance to launch your new venture!
Pillsbury’s Commitment to the Greenbackers Community
As dedicated supporters of the Greenbackers community, several of our partners and associates are actively engaged in helping climate and sustainability ventures succeed. Every Greenbackers company is assigned a dedicated start-up partner, offering direct access to our top-tier legal expertise from day one.
At Pillsbury, we operate like a boutique for start-ups—providing agile, hands-on support—while delivering the depth and scale to grow with your business. You’ll work directly with our senior team, receiving strategic insight, cost-effective guidance and personalised legal advice at every growth stage.
Exclusive Offer for Greenbackers Companies
For Greenbackers companies raising £1 million or more, we’re offering a complimentary high-level review of your term sheet, including a 30-minute consultation to walk you through the top five priority issues to consider.
GET IN TOUCH
- Sarah Melaney, ECVC Partner and Greenbackers UK Lead – sarah.melaney@pillsburylaw.com
“We have found Sarah to be an exceptional lawyer and an invaluable resource to the company. She is adept at quickly getting to the center of corporate matters and providing strategic solutions.” – Chambers
“Sarah tends to support us on our fundraising activities. She provided consistent value adding advice through complex funding times.” – Chambers
- Steve Ryan, ECVC Partner and Greenbackers US Lead – steve.ryan@pillsburylaw.com
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