Sally Wokes

Slaughter and May

Slaughter and May’s Sally Wokes has been one to watch for years, but 2020 was her pièce de résistance. Returning to the fold from maternity leave in January, Wokes – who is still just five years a partner – led on many of the firm’s stand-out transactions in a rollercoaster year for City M&A.

Describing the deal as a career highlight, Wokes successfully steered ASDA through its sale to the Issa Brothers and TDR Capital after a hotly-contested auction process and under intense media scrutiny. Walmart, and by extension ASDA, have long been Slaughters’ clients, but Wokes’ leadership of an all-female M&A partner team suggests a new era is brewing at the firm.

Far from co-leading with one of Slaughters’ veteran dealdoers, Wokes is now calling the shots on deals and spearheading firm initiatives, such as its pivotal partnership with AI provider Luminance.

She has also been entrusted with many of the firm’s trophy clients, including IAG and Ineos, in what was a defining year for Slaughters’ M&A superstar.