With the equity markets picking up and a rejuvenated M&A market, Linklaters corporate partner since 2000 John Lane has enjoyed a stellar 2005.

In the latter half of the year, Lane advised TDR Capital on the PizzaExpress IPO, one of a string of high-profile deals in which he featured. As first reported by The Lawyer (14 November 2005), the £440m partial flotation was Linklaters’ first successful instruction from TDR. Lane also advised on the IPOs of online gaming company 888.com, ProStrakan and automotive consulting business Carter & Carter and is working on the proposed introduction of Drax to the official list.

Other equity issues Lane worked on during 2005 included the rights issues by Julius Baer and LogicaCMG and recent capital raisings by Man Group and Punch Taverns. Lane also made a hefty contribution to Linklaters’ M&A practice, advising Dutch investment bank ABN Amro on the acquisition of celebrity clinic The Priory.