Mary Anne Fedeyko

Director, Solicitor

+44 (0)1206 217049

maryanne.fedeyko@tsplegal.com

Senior Partner Mary Anne specialises in company and commercial law and leads the Business Services Team at Thompson Smith and Puxon. She has expertise and extensive experience in a broad range of company and commercial matters including company restructuring, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, as well as agency, distribution, franchises and commercial contracts. In particular she has exceptional technical expertise in large industry acquisitions and contracts. She acts for clients in local industry and commerce as well as those with parent-companies based outside the UK and has extensive cross-border experience, regularly dealing with transactions involving the USA, Canada, and Continental Europe. Mary Anne provides advice to and deals with transactions across numerous industries including manufacturing, renewable energy, transport, IT, motor vehicle, agriculture, professional practices including solicitors, accountants, estate agents and IFAs, training, oil and gas, and retail.

Mary Anne, who is originally from Canada, completed her law degree at the University of Western Ontario in 1983, qualifying as a solicitor there in 1984. She practised at a large Canadian firm before transferring her skills to the UK and worked at Freshfields in London whilst qualifying in this country (1989). She left Freshfields in 1991, joining Thompson Smith and Puxon and became a partner of the firm in 2001. When the structure of the firm changed in 2006 Mary Anne became a director of Mary Anne Fedeyko Ltd, a corporate partner in Thompson Smith and Puxon. In January 2016 Mary Anne was appointed as TSP’s Senior Partner.

Thompson Smith and Puxon has, for a number of years, been highlighted by the Legal 500 as a Leading Firm in this practice area and in the 2022/23 edition Mary Anne continues to be singled out as a Leading Individual in her practice area.

In the UK 2022/23 edition the Legal 500 said: Based in its Colchester office, the team at Thompson Smith and Puxon has developed a niche in complex reorganisation work, which practice leader Mary Anne Fedeyko has been involved in for over 20 years. Assisting domestic and international clients, the group is also well-regarded in the healthcare sector, where it handles the purchase and sale of dental practices, leveraging Nick Mayles‘ specialty working with dental practices and Claire Powell‘s experience advising GP practices.

In the UK 2021/22 edition the team is described as follows: Led by senior partner Mary Anne Fedeyko, Thompson Smith and Puxon’s team undertakes the entire ambit of corporate and commercial work for local and national clients. It also has a strong profile among overseas-based entities, particularly those located in the US and Canada. Fedeyko has almost 25 years of experience advising clients on complex section 110 reorganisations and demergers. Elsewhere, other drivers of work include M&A, MBOs/MBIs, joint ventures, partnerships and shareholder agreements. The firm generates mandates from clients across a broad range of industries, with particular strengths in areas such as agriculture and healthcare (including matters relating to dental practices, GP practices and NHS contracts). Nick Mayles, Claire Powell and Nicola Rout are also recommended.

In the UK 2020/21 edition the team is described as follows: Thompson Smith and Puxon’s corporate and commercial team handles a broad variety of work, covering franchise acquisitions, agency and distribution agreements, construction contracts, demergers and data protection. Serving both regional and international clients, it is particularly notable for team lead Mary Anne Fedeyko’s expertise in agribusiness. In addition, it is also well established in the healthcare sector where it regularly oversees the purchase and sale of dental practices. Nick Mayles specialises in corporate finance and commercial law while Claire Powell is known for her work with GP practices and NHS contracts.

In the 2019 edition the Legal 500 said “Exceeding all expectations, Thompson Smith and Puxon’s corporate and commercial team is adept at handling the full scope of corporate matters including M&A, disposals, and distribution agreements. Led by Mary Anne Fedeyko, who is noted for her ‘very practical commercial approach‘, the practice group works seamlessly across practice groups and provides significant cross-border services to national and international clients across a broad range of sectors.”

In 2018 the Legal 500 said “Thompson Smith and Puxon’s corporate department provides ‘exemplary service’ with an ‘efficient, pragmatic and commercial approach’ and ‘resolves matters in a prompt and professional way’. M&A, restructurings, commercial contracts, business disposals and sponsor agreements form the bulk of the practice’s work. The team achieved a growth in matters relating to the agricultural, construction and food industries, while healthcare remains a strong focus. The ‘helpful and informative’ Mary Anne Fedeyko ‘explains proceedings clearly’ and has a ‘rapid understanding of the relevant issues and how to manage relationships with other solicitors’. ‘Extremely thorough’ property expert Stephen Firmin and the ‘calm, unflustered and committed’ Caroline Nicholls are also recommended. Together with Claire Powell and Nick Mayles, they make up the core team in Colchester.”

In 2016 the legal 500 wrote Mary Anne is singled out for her “good business acumen and legal experience” and her team offer “well researched advice on a wide variety of corporate matters.” Also described by the Legal 500 as “dynamic” and “a first-class lawyer”, Mary Anne assists a number of overseas companies operating in the UK market. Her magic circle firm training and experience coupled with her Canadian background mean that she is able to deal with all of her clients’ needs effectively. Andrew Hebard, President and CEO of Technology Crops International, based in the USA, said “We have worked with TSP for a long time now and have always been exceptionally impressed by the nature and breadth of the work that they are able to undertake for us.” “TSP is an ideal fit for TCI. In particular, Mary Anne’s background means that she knows how Canada and the USA work. She understands the culture and how we like to get things done and we have never been disappointed”

Additional testimonials for Mary Anne’s Corporate and Commercial work are detailed below:

CLIENT: Neil Smith, Owner COMPANY:  Haven Veterinary Practice

TESTIMONIAL: Mary Anne’s advice on innovative business structures has brought long term efficiencies into our practice. She and her team at TSP are robust, efficient and a pleasure to deal with; they demonstrate exceptional expertise hand-in-hand with dealing with matters very cost-effectively, and always deliver. I would not hesitate to recommend Mary Anne and the TSP team.

CLIENT: Alex Wright, FIMI COMPANY:  Shoreham Vehicle Auctions

TESTIMONIAL: Mary Anne has provided me with extremely helpful advice on a complex matter, simplifying issues and providing creative solutions.   She is approachable and very user friendly.  I would not hesitate to recommend her, she is first-rate!

CLIENT: Mark Fagg COMPANY:  Private Client

TESTIMONIAL: Having worked with Thompson Smith and Puxon on many projects over the last ten years, I can say that on each occasion they have provided an excellent professional legal service. In particular Mary Anne Fedeyko and her team have always added that extra level of service which is often so helpful when issues become a little stressful. I would recommend this firm and its legal team to anyone any time.

CLIENT: Richard Marshall, Owner COMPANY:  Timberwolf UK

TESTIMONIAL: I own a small growing manufacturing business that has been in operation for 30 years and has numerous requirements for expert advice and direction to protect the company going forward, these include: Partnership Agreements; Employee Contracts; Wills; Succession Planning; Estates and Tax Planning.

I would have no hesitation in recommending the following people within Thompson Smith and Puxon: Mary Anne Fedeyko, Fiona Ashworth, Caroline Nicholls

I used the Legal 500 as a basis for making a shortlist of Solicitors who could offer the range of expertise I required. Because succession planning is on the horizon for me, it was the fact that Fiona Ashworth is a member of STEP that put TSP at the top of my short list. Having the first meeting with Fiona and Mary Anne it was quite obvious they were very competent people who could give concise advice and structure everything so it all happened in logical order. The great thing about TSP for me is they have always done what they have said and they are clear on what you can and can’t do. Caroline Nicholls has been instrumental in delivering complex Partnership Agreements and Employment Contracts within a very tight time-frame. Mary Anne has a sharp mind and quickly understands your overall objectives and uses other expertise within the business when required to get things concluded in a timely manner. A nice straight forward bunch of people to deal with – highly recommended.

To find out more about the Corporate and Commercial services that Mary Anne can offer click here.

Mary Anne Fedeyko is also a trained mediator. Her mediation skills are extremely valuable in negotiations and other aspects of her work.

Mary Anne is a Dementia Friend, an Alzheimer’s Society scheme which aims to raise awareness of what it’s like to live with dementia and how people living with it can be helped. Find out more about the scheme and how TSP is involved here.