Key Takeaways
- • Mark Churchman, a private equity and M&A partner with over 15 years of experience, has joined Dorsey & Whitney LLP in London, effective May 6, 2026.
- • Churchman brings specialized expertise in M&A, private equity transactions, joint ventures, and shareholder arrangements across all company lifecycle stages, with a track record advising PE sponsors, portfolio companies, and corporate clients.
- • His practice spans multiple sectors including technology, financial services, energy, and infrastructure, with particular focus on UK and cross-border transactions with European and U.S. connections.
- • Prior to Dorsey, Churchman held partner roles at Shoosmiths (where he was recognized as a "Distinguished Adviser" by Financier Worldwide in 2025) and earlier positions at Trowers & Hamlins and Vinson & Elkins.
Summary
Mark Churchman has joined Dorsey & Whitney LLP as a Partner in its Private Equity and M&A practice in London. The appointment, announced on May 6, 2026, represents a significant hire for the firm's corporate practice and reflects continuing competition among major law firms for specialized PE and M&A talent in the London market.
Churchman brings over 15 years of legal experience focused on complex transactions across the private equity and corporate sectors. His practice encompasses M&A advisory, private equity transactions, joint ventures, and shareholder arrangements, operating across all stages of company development from investment through divestment and portfolio management. According to Dorsey's firm profile, he is known for being highly experienced and client-friendly, working with PE sponsors, corporate clients, and portfolio companies to navigate transactions across multiple sectors including technology, financial services, energy, and infrastructure.
His background includes substantial cross-border transaction experience, with particular expertise in UK and cross-border deals involving European and U.S. nexus points. Representative matters noted in his profile include advising shareholders on the sale of a financial advisory firm to a global investment bank, counseling PE firms on acquisition strategies and portfolio company transactions in the technology sector, and representing companies on acquisitions ranging from pharmaceutical product lines to renewable energy investments.
Prior to joining Dorsey, Churchman was a partner at Shoosmiths, where he gained recognition in Financier Worldwide's 2025 Power Players rankings as a "Distinguished Adviser" for his work in private equity law. His previous experience also includes partner-level roles at Trowers & Hamlins and senior positions at Vinson & Elkins. He is qualified to practice in England & Wales and holds qualifications from Guildford College of Law in corporate law and general legal practice.
Churchman brings over 15 years of legal experience focused on complex transactions across the private equity and corporate sectors. His practice encompasses M&A advisory, private equity transactions, joint ventures, and shareholder arrangements, operating across all stages of company development from investment through divestment and portfolio management. According to Dorsey's firm profile, he is known for being highly experienced and client-friendly, working with PE sponsors, corporate clients, and portfolio companies to navigate transactions across multiple sectors including technology, financial services, energy, and infrastructure.
His background includes substantial cross-border transaction experience, with particular expertise in UK and cross-border deals involving European and U.S. nexus points. Representative matters noted in his profile include advising shareholders on the sale of a financial advisory firm to a global investment bank, counseling PE firms on acquisition strategies and portfolio company transactions in the technology sector, and representing companies on acquisitions ranging from pharmaceutical product lines to renewable energy investments.
Prior to joining Dorsey, Churchman was a partner at Shoosmiths, where he gained recognition in Financier Worldwide's 2025 Power Players rankings as a "Distinguished Adviser" for his work in private equity law. His previous experience also includes partner-level roles at Trowers & Hamlins and senior positions at Vinson & Elkins. He is qualified to practice in England & Wales and holds qualifications from Guildford College of Law in corporate law and general legal practice.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.