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Personal Profile

		Austin Blackburn Partner Austin joined Nash & Co in September 2005 from a firm in Peterborough. Austin is very experienced in Company & Commercial Law especially contract work, business sales, acquisitions, re-organizations, intellectual property, shareholder and director rights & responsibilities. He relocated to the South West to be nearer relatives and for the quality of life especially for his young family.
Austin joined Nash & Co in the Commercial Department in September 2005, he was made a Partner in May 2006 and a member of the LLP in May 2010. He qualified in October 1998 and has a postgraduate diploma in Intellectual Property Law. Previously a partner in a large regional commercial practice in East Anglia, Austin relocated to the West Country from Peterborough where he had practiced as a commercial solicitor for many years. He specializes in all aspects of commercial law including company reorganisations, share and asset transactions, partnership/company law, and intellectual property law. When asked why Austin prefers Commercial Law, he said “I enjoy the challenges of dealing with the variety and often complex legal situations that arise in commercial transactions and I value maintaining a close working relationship with the management and ownership of my business clients both large and small.” He maintains strong skills in a wide range of legal issues relevant to the commercial sector and has a pragmatic approach to dealing with his client’s needs. Austin lives in Ivybridge and as a father of three young children he spends most of his spare time on family activities but also enjoys squash, badminton and watching rugby when he gets the chance. Areas of Speciality Commercial - Company reorganisations, including ‘hive-ups’, ‘hive-downs’ and MBOs/MBIs (management buy-outs/buy-ins). Appreciates the importance of getting the rights structures in place to balance the practical wishes of his clients and the tax implications of the arrangements. Believes in developing good relations with other professionals and often works in conjunction with tax advisors to delver the appropriate solutions for his clients. Business Sales - Asset and share transactions for purchasers and vendors upon the sale of a business or the retirement of a partner or major shareholder, to provide legal protection and means of redress for the consideration paid when acting for purchasers and so that the vendor gets paid and is not exposed to spurious claims when acting for them. Believes in a pragmatic approach to negotiations and contracts to get results without unnecessary fuss. Agreements - Partnership and shareholders agreements, including advising on option agreements to acquire a participants share on a future event. Giving the parties a legal foundation to regulate the relationship between the participants on which they can develop their commercial relationship and plan for eventualities. (Prevention is far better and cheaper than the cure). Company and LLP Formations - Advising on business structures and provision of standard terms and conditions of business. Contracts - All forms of commercial contracts including consultancies, agency agreements, long-term supply agreements and software development and support agreements. Intellectual Property – Specialist qualification in intellectual property matters including copyright and trade mark law and handles routine UK and EU trademark applications.