Eversheds Sutherland has expanded its highly regarded transactional risk insurance (TRI) practice with the appointment of two senior lateral partners, corporate specialist Laura Marcelli and tax expert Matt Davies, both joining the firm’s London office from DLA Piper. The move reflects the global law firm’s ongoing strategy to deepen its expertise in complex deal protection and tax advisory services across major transaction markets.
Laura focuses exclusively on transactional risk insurance, advising more than 20 insurer clients across hundreds of transactions, including buyers and sellers seeking to enhance transaction insurability. Her career includes prior roles at Clifford Chance, Clyde & Co, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher, where she developed extensive experience structuring and negotiating W&I policies for private equity and corporate clients.
Matt brings broad expertise in international tax, mergers and acquisitions structuring, and reorganizations, along with a strong track record in the insurance sector. His practice combines deep experience in W&I transactions with a dedicated tax liability insurance advisory offering, complementing his work on general M&A and real estate tax structuring.
Transactional risk insurance—encompassing Warranty & Indemnity (W&I or R&W) Insurance, tax liability insurance, and other contingent risk products—has become a central element in modern M&A transactions, providing critical financial protection and de-risking for buyers, sellers, and investors. Eversheds Sutherland’s TRI group, led by partners Chris Halliday and Ben Jones, has long been recognized as a trusted advisor to insurers and dealmakers across Europe and beyond.
The addition of Marcelli and Davies will enhance the firm’s capacity to serve clients globally, creating one of the most comprehensive TRI offerings in the market. Their expertise complements the firm’s existing strength in M&A, tax, and insurance, further cementing Eversheds Sutherland’s reputation as a leader in this growing sector.
The appointments follow a string of senior hires across the UK and Europe, including recent additions in Luxembourg, Frankfurt, London, and Amsterdam, reflecting Eversheds Sutherland’s momentum in expanding its international partnership network and specialist practices.
KEY QUOTES:
“The appointments of Laura and Matt represent a significant strategic development in our TRI offering, bringing together recognised authorities in this highly complex area to create a formal TRI group that will have the experience and capacity to provide the best support to our clients. Our clients require practical, commercial advice based on a deep knowledge of TRI, typically in compressed, transaction-driven timelines. These appointments, coupled with our global TRI capability, will provide clients with the tailored advice they need, wherever and whenever necessary.”
Chris Halliday, Global M&A Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
“Matt’s arrival not only enhances our tax liability insurance offering and, alongside Helen Mackey, gives us real strength in depth at partner level in this area, but Matt is also a leading international tax expert outside of the TRI market and his arrival will significantly enhance the expertise and experience of the tax group, particularly across core areas such as cross-border M&A, complex real estate transactions and financial services.”
Ben Jones, Partner and Co-Head of Global Tax, Eversheds Sutherland
“I’m thrilled to be joining Eversheds Sutherland and to be part of a team that is truly shaping the future of the TRI market. I look forward to working alongside Chris, Ben, Matt, Helen and the wider team to further build the firm’s market-leading reputation and focussed expertise to clients.”
Laura Marcelli, Corporate Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
“I’m delighted to be joining Eversheds Sutherland at a time of such strategic momentum for the TRI and tax practices. The firm’s reputation for excellence and its international reach provide an ideal platform to further develop my TRI and broader tax advisory work. I very much look forward to working with and helping further develop the team.”
Matt Davies, Tax Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
