John specialises in corporate law with experience of handling mergers and acquisitions, large refinances, advising on company structures and corporate governance for SMEs up to listed company level. He also acts on behalf of a number of restructuring and insolvency advisers on sales out of insolvency situations.
John is also part of the firm’s well regarded Education Team, acting on all corporate matters for the firm’s clients who work in this sector.
John offers clients the benefit of years of corporate experience dealing with a range of areas from M&A through to governance and has acted on behalf of all sizes of organisation from sole traders up to PLC listed companies. His advice, and that of his team, is proactive and commercial and they work hard to get the best outcome for clients without being an unnecessary hindrance to a transaction, which some professional advisers unfortunately seem to be.
Working with a range of clients from start-ups to well-established businesses has shown John that hard work and good decision making, based upon good advice from lawyers and other professional advisors, can really make a difference to clients.
-
Great team headed by a very relatable partner.
The UK Legal 500 2025: Corporate and Commercial -
John Flanagan is the stand-out partner on commercial for us.
The UK Legal 500, 2024 edition -
I find all the individuals very engaging and helpful but I give a special mention to John Flanagan, he’s been a great support to our business and if he can’t cover a specific matter he very quickly finds someone from the Rollits team that can. Rollits offer a friendly and personal service.
The UK Legal 500, 2023 edition
Career
John studied Law at Northumbria University and joined Rollits as a Trainee in 2003, qualifying as a solicitor in 2005. Upon qualification, John moved to work in the Corporate Team and took over as head of the Team a few years ago.
Expertise
John has been highlighted as a “leading Individual” by The UK Legal 500 for corporate advice for the last four years. His specialisms include mergers and acquisitions, banking law, advising in corporate recovery situations, and providing clients with company secretarial and governance advice.
Within education John leads on corporate issues such as education sector mergers and acquisitions and conversion and establishment of single and multi-academy trusts.