An approachable and proactive lawyer who values giving back
Francesca Jus-Burke
Managing Associate
Francesca advises businesses and individuals based in the UK and internationally with private acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures and shareholder arrangements, as well as contract reviews, general commercial issues and company secretarial matters.
Skilled in project management and working to tight deadlines, Francesca has a record of delivering support to businesses and individuals in a variety of industry sectors. She understands that clients have their own pressures and priorities, and how critical it is to them to keep momentum and maintain relationships on all sides to progress matters.
Case studies
Francesca joined Greenwoods in 2023 from another leading UK firm. A member of the corporate and commercial department, she advises on UK and cross-border private M&A, joint ventures and shareholder arrangements (including advising on the impact of the National Security and Investment Act 2021), company incorporation, governance (including board and shareholder issues, constitutional and share capital matters and company secretarial services) as well as general commercial issues such as drafting commercial agreements with bespoke technology and data protection provisions.
Her clients have covered a broad spectrum of industry sectors including technology, aviation, energy and shipping in a number of jurisdictions. Where required, she works closely with specialist colleagues and overseas counsel to provide advice to clients. Recent work highlights include:
- Assisted a listed Canadian cannabis retailer with its entry into the UK market through its acquisition of a controlling interest (with an option to purchase the remaining interest) in a UK CBD company.
- Advised on various data protection/UK GDPR matters, including preparing mutual NDAs to comply with the UK GDPR, drafting/amending data processing addendums and considering buyer liability for acquired companies.
- Acted for the shareholders of a UK data analytics company with a Serbian subsidiary in a share sale to a US-listed tech company.
- Advised a Bahamian shipping company on its joint venture with an Indian tech company for a new to market e-product.
- Prepared a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) agreement and website terms of use, privacy policy and acceptable use policy for a UK tech client providing online crowdfunding for civic and community projects.
- Advised a UK pharmaceutical client providing COVID-19 home testing services on (i) the purchase of 66% of its joint-venture partner (a laboratory), (ii) a restructure of the group, and (iii) with its proposed European expansion, which involved liaising with overseas regulatory counsel.
- Assisted a private client with the disposal of their private shareholding in a shipping company in tranches.
- Considered the applicability of the National Security and Investment Act to a Spanish client’s tender for a UK government defence contract.
- Advised a Singapore-registered global shipping claims management company with (i) a management buyout (ii) an investment into a UK company and (iii) on its joint venture with a P&I club.
Francesca speaks fluent French and has a basic understanding of Spanish. Formerly an international rower and rowing coach, she enjoys keeping active and is a member of British Rowing, British Canoeing (as a standup paddle boarder) and Ramblers UK. Being passionate about giving back as well as diversity, equality and inclusion, Francesca is also a trustee of Diversity UK and a frequent mentor (most recently with Social Mobility Foundation).