Richard Atcherley | Partner | Corporate Team | Paris Smith Skip to content

My experience

I am a partner with some 18 years’ experience, dealing with owner-managed businesses, large private companies and listed corporates across a wide variety of sectors including IT, technology, manufacturing, retail, professional services, financial services, recruitment, healthcare, leisure and construction. I work with businesses whatever stage in the business life cycle they are in, from start-up to exit. My main expertise is in:

  • company and business sales and purchases;
  • management buy-outs;
  • shareholder exits;
  • private equity and business angel investments;
  • group reorganisations;
  • shareholders agreements and Articles of Association;
  • share option schemes including EMI share options and growth share schemes; and
  • sale and purchase of businesses in administration or liquidation.

I also advise on the sale and purchase of distressed businesses including those which are in a formal insolvency process.

I work hard to get to know my clients and their other professional advisers so I can understand what issues are important to them. I do my best to keep things as simple as possible with a focus on the stuff that is really important.  

Using my experience of working on transactions and with businesses across a wide variety of sectors, I am able to anticipate problem areas so that simple solutions can be put forward at the earliest opportunity.    

I was a finalist in the ‘Lawyer of the Year’ category of the Solent Deals Awards 2022.

How I’ve helped our clients

We have worked with Richard for years and continue to enjoy his enthusiastic approach and genuine interest in our business. He provides good quality, focused legal advice on a range of issues.

Alex Trimnell - Muc-Off Ltd
Muc-Off Ltd

A client says "Richard Atcherley was the partner in charge of acting for me on two back to back business sales. He was calm and assured throughout both transactions, used his experience to overcome the inevitable bumps in the road and dealt with the purchasers solicitor productively and without ruffling feathers."

Legal 500 2023 - Referee Comments

Referees say "Richard provides the highest standards of expertise on corporate transactions, both large and small" and "His technical knowledge across a wide range of transaction types is first-rate, as is his ability to provide excellent commercial and practical advice in a friendly, approachable and non-confrontational manner".

Chambers & Partners 2023 - Referee Comments

I am grateful for the help provided by Paris Smith in an extremely professional but friendly way. General replies back are done very quickly and if not immediate advised that they will reply. Thank you and appreciate your help.

PS, Director - Corporate Re-finance

Richard is a really nice guy to work with. He always talks things through with clients and comes up with sensible, commercial solutions.

Chambers and Partners Legal Directory 2022