Skip to main content

Corporate Law Experts

Ogilvy & Wachtel was founded by Robert Ogilvy Watson and Michael Wachtel, previously senior corporate partners at leading international law firms in London and Hong Kong.

Our firm provides bespoke legal services and strategic advice where our legal expertise combined with our depth and breadth of sector focus and business understanding provide unparalleled quality and value for money services to our clients.

Our partners have international expertise in advising listed and unlisted corporations, asset managers, private equity & venture capital firms and investment banks. Our associates have practiced law in major international law firms.  We build teams suited to the needs of each mandate we are instructed on. We frequently collaborate with other law firms, tax accountants and financial advisers to provide a complete service solution.

Our firm can deliver advice in key specialist practice areas. We are especially effective in Energy & Natural Resources, the Green Economy and Financial Services, but have experience in all business sectors.

Expertise

We have experience advising listed and private companies, directors, private equity, venture capital and asset managers & investors (including activist investors).

READ MORE

Sector Expertise

ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES

Our international ENR expertise is unparalleled. One of our partners is a qualified engineer as well as a highly experienced corporate lawyer and former general counsel of an oil and gas company.

GREEN ECONOMY

We have particular expertise in nature-based projects, global carbon markets and nuclear power projects.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

We have long standing experience of advising on the financial regulatory matters.

OTHER SECTORS

Our partners have advised on high value transactions globally in all business sectors.

Practice Areas

SHAREHOLDER ACTIVISM

We have a track record of advising investors in listed companies as well as boards of companies responding to pressure or actions by activists.

CORPORATE FINANCE

Our experience includes IPO’s, secondary offers and takeovers of listed companies governed by the UK Takeover Code.

CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS

We advise on international transactions involving both private and public listed companies, private equity and venture capital.

ADVISORY & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Our expertise includes key commercial negotiations, assessing and resolving high value disputes, board governance & succession issues and regulatory clearances & investigations.

INSIGHT

THOUGHTS

Filter

The new UK Listing Rules Slim pickings for shareholder engagement and activism

Introduction Last week, the FCA finally published the new UK Listing Rules (which come into effect on 29 July 2024).…

Q&A

Filter

What details have to be disclosed in an announcement by a potential bidder confirming it is considering a takeover offer under the Takeover Code?

Q&A The Code requires that: (1) the bidder is named in the announcement; and (2) a 28 day PUSU deadline…

What is the difference between the disclosure requirements for an interest in premium listed shares and standard listed shares?

Q&A Disclosure of premium versus standard listed shares   If the company is a UK issuer (which is often the…

When is a target company required to announce it is in talks with which may lead to a takeover offer under the Takeover Code?

Q&A The short answer is an announcement must be made when if the target company has been approached by a…

ROBERT OGILVY WATSON

Former partner in London and Hong Kong with Ashurst LLP and Macfarlanes LLP and Secretary to the UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers.

Robert has advised on significant transactions (including activism) involving listed and private companies, private equity, venture capital and strategic investors.

Robert has worked across all business sectors and has particular expertise in Financial Services, Energy & Natural Resources and the Green Economy.

Robert has experience of several Panel Appeals both as external secretary to the Hearings Committee and the Takeover Appeals Board; and as advocate at appeals before the Hearings Committee and Takeover Appeal Board.

Robert is co-author of the chapter on Takeovers and Stakebuilding in the textbook, European Securities Law 3rd Edition which was published by Oxford University Press in April 2021.

Robert was born in Singapore and has worked from Hong Kong and London on international transactions worldwide.

READ MORE

MICHAEL WACHTEL

Michael is a corporate lawyer advising international clients on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, financings, stock exchange listings, joint ventures, licences and concessions, production sharing agreements, regulatory/compliance, projects and commercial contracts.

Michael has practiced law for nearly 30 years and was previously Head of Oil & Gas at a major international law firm.  Michael has experience of managing major claims and disputes.  As well as first rate legal analysis, Michael adds a highly commercial and practical approach to closing deals and solving problems.

Michael gained a masters degree in mechanical engineering and began his career as an engineer in the upstream petroleum business before qualifying as a solicitor at a City firm of international lawyers.

Michael has lived and worked in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

READ MORE