Joel Gocool

Senior Solicitor, Corporate

Joel advises his clients on a variety of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions (share / asset sales and purchases), company restructures and general corporate law advisory matters. 

Joel is accredited by the British Franchise Association (BFA) as a trusted legal advisor to the franchise industry. Joel advises franchisors in respect of structuring their franchise network, drafting the franchise agreements and associated legal documents and ongoing franchisor support (including franchise resales). Joel also supports franchisees in reviewing the franchise agreements prior to acquiring a franchised business.

Joel qualified as a Corporate Solicitor in 2019 at a regional firm and then joined the Corporate Department at Herrington Carmichael in 2021. Joel graduated from Kingston University with a degree in Law and went on to complete his LPC at the University of Law in Guildford. Joel is a keen footballer, with his greatest success to date being captaining his five a side team to league winning glory in their first season together. Joel is an avid Arsenal fan (for his sins) and is regularly in attendance at the Emirates. Aside from football, Joel enjoys keeping fit and has recently taken up golf as a hobby.

Joel Gocool has been recognised as a ‘Key Lawyer’ in the Legal 500.

Alex Canham and Joel Gocool are a delight to deal with and form a highly efficient team. They have gone the extra mile in our negotiations.

 Legal 500, Client Feedback

Experience

  • Share sale of market leading sporting and activity holiday travel company to a large PE backed industry acquirer for a total consideration of up to £8.2m.
  • Share purchase of a marketing agency to add to the buyer’s subsidiaries for consideration of up to £2m for cash and equity consideration.
  • Advised a market leading sports education group in the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of a regional sports and childcare provider for consideration of up to £3m.
  • Share sale of transportation and bus / coach hire company to an industry acquirer for a total consideration of up to £3m.
  • Share purchase by HVAC acquirer of another HVAC business to add to the group for consideration of up to £2.8m for cash and equity consideration.
  • Management buyout of a national construction consultancy business for a total consideration of £1m paid via loan notes.
  • Sale of a shares in a UK graphic design company for a total consideration of £540k.
  • Sale of shares of an IFA business for a cash consideration of £3m, with a further reinvestment equity consideration to a large market consolidator.

Herrington Carmichael is a trusted member of the British Franchise Association.

https://www.thebfa.org/advisors/herrington-carmichael/

  • Working with a UK football coaching business in establishing a franchise, including:
    • Providing initial advice relating to structuring the franchise network
    • Advising on the pilot scheme
    • Drafting the franchise agreement and other associated documents
    • Providing advice relating to onboarding new franchisees
  • Assisting a south-east estate agency in establishing a franchise model for its business, including drafting and negotiating the franchise agreement
  • A global gym and leisure franchise and the terms of the franchise agreement, including:
    • Reviewing the franchise agreement
    • Reporting on the agreement highlighting any non-standard terms or provisions which posed a particularly high risk to the franchisee
    • Advising on the consequences of its terms
    • Suggesting how best to address the provisions in dispute
  • Advising a franchisee in respect of a UK nursery franchise and the terms of the franchise agreement. 
  • Advising overseas IT consultancy franchise on its entry to the UK, including advising on
    • Implementing pilot operations
    • Drafting the required franchise documents and coordinating local advice in international franchising projects
    • Structuring and setting up the franchise network
    • Updating or refreshing of the franchising agreement on renewal
    • Franchise resales, including intra network or external franchise disposals
I would like to express my thanks to Harry Winkley, Joel Gocool and the team at Herrington Carmichael for their pro-active approach in our recent acquisition to the Surelock McGill Group of companies. A smooth transition working closely and professional within our set parameters, also within predicted budget.
Many Thanks to the full team at HC.

- John McGill
This was the first time we had worked with Herrington Carmichael, and we were extremely happy with our experience. We found Joel to be helpful, always on time for meetings, flexible and his legal knowledge was very good. We completed on a very tight schedule and Joel addressed all the key issues to make this happen. Joel is very easy to get on with and a pleasure to work with. We would strongly recommend him and highly recommend the firm to others.

- Julian Gilbert
I recently completed the sale of my business. Herrington Carmichael acted on my behalf, and my contact was Joel Gocool. Joel and his team were magnificent. I had one point of contact throughout the process, which made everything much easier. Joel was very easy to get on with, attentive, and promptly answered questions or queries. The advice I received was balanced, and Joel helped me to navigate my way through the warranties and indemnities, making the journey as easy as possible for me. I would like to thank him and his team for their very professional assistance throughout and would not hesitate to recommend the Firm to other business owners.

- Iain Black
I have worked with Joel and his team on two acquisitions, on both occasions he has been professional, knowledgeable and approachable. He is able to explain the process in layman’s terms, clearly differentiating between the preferred and essential in contract negotiations. I wouldn’t hesitate to use or recommend Joel's services again.

- Tim Atkinson, Mortgage Required Limited 
Joel and his team are an absolute pleasure to work with. From day one to completion, they were totally engaged in the sale process to ensure the best possible outcome for us as individuals. Their wise counsel throughout the process was invaluable and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

- Robert and Dianne Jackson, Jackson Financial Planning 
Joel and the team at HC provided exceptional support throughout what was a complex and high-value transaction. Their calm, pragmatic approach and commercial understanding gave me confidence at every stage of the process. Joel’s communication was clear andconsistent, and he was always there to support me and reassure me at all hours and he always made sure my priorities were fully protected while maintaining momentum to completion.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Joel and HC to anyone seeking experienced, commercially minded legal support for an investment process or business sale.


- Marc Rigby, Managing Director, Emtec Climate Solutions