SMB expands corporate practice with new partners

Simons Muirhead Burton (SMB) has announced the appointment of two new partners, Paul Glassberg and Al Zucker, as part of a strategic expansion of its Corporate & Finance team. The firm, based in London, aims to enhance its transactional capabilities in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, and corporate advisory work across various sectors. Paul Glassberg joined SMB on 3 August 2026 from Howard Kennedy, where he developed a notable corporate practice over two decades. Recognised for his commercial approach, Glassberg's expertise lies in complex M&A transactions, providing advice to businesses in real estate, retail, hospitality, and technology. He has acted on numerous high-profile transactions, assisting a diverse array of clients, including founders, investors, and established firms.

Al Zucker is set to join on 1 September 2026, bringing a unique combination of private practice and in-house leadership experience. He focuses on advising VC-backed companies and founder-led businesses on fundraising, mergers, and corporate reorganisations, emphasising programmatic M&A. Zucker’s background working in scaling businesses equips him with valuable insights into the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and management teams. Together, they enhance SMB's existing corporate capabilities to support clients throughout all stages of their business lifecycle, from startup funding to acquisitions and international expansion.

The additions of Glassberg and Zucker highlight SMB's ongoing commitment to meeting the increasing client demand for commercially focused legal advice. This strategic growth follows the firm's previous appointments of partners Neil Jones and Joel Cohen in 2024 and 2025, respectively, further solidifying its standing in corporate law.

Neal Hodges, Co-Head of the Corporate & Finance Team, expressed enthusiasm about the new partnerships, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Paul and Al to the firm. They are great lawyers with outstanding reputations, and their complementary practices will add significant strength to our team. Their appointments broaden our corporate and finance offering and show our commitment to investing in strategic areas of growth.”

Paul Glassberg shared his excitement, saying, “I am delighted to have joined this exceptional group of lawyers and work in a highly motivated team of great people who roll up their sleeves and get on with delivering a first-class product. I am confident they will help me continue to provide the best possible support to clients.” Al Zucker added, “This is an exciting time to be joining SMB. The firm and its corporate offering are going from strength to strength and the firm is an excellent platform for advising aggregators, VC-backed companies and founder-led businesses more broadly. I look forward to working with the Corporate & Finance team in the coming months.”

Following these appointments, SMB’s partnership reaches its largest number in history, now comprising 50 partners, which reflects the firm’s ongoing dedication to growth and excellence in corporate law