“I like making a difference - helping people do what they want to do, in the best way possible.”

Sarah Morbey

Partner

Henley-on-Thames

EXPERTISE.

With over 15 years’ experience as an in-house lawyer, my work spans commercial contracts, corporate transactions, IP strategy, and governance…and (as all in-house lawyers know) anything else that comes across the desk!

I’ve supported everything from retail and manufacturing, to franchising in the Middle East, complex IP licensing deals, and launching innovative healthcare solutions through new channels, with particular strength in joint ventures, M&A execution, regulatory and compliance frameworks, dispute resolution, data privacy, and sustainability strategy, including B Corp certification.

TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

I originally qualified as a company secretary and then had the opportunity to do my training contract in-house with Walgreens Boots Alliance, gaining contentious experience in the IP Litigation team at Allen & Overy LLP (now A&O Shearman). That mix of governance and contentious work shaped how I approach problems – practically, commercially, and with an eye on what could go wrong.

I’ve spent most of my career in healthcare and life sciences, across the spectrum of large US multinationals, PE-backed companies, and research institutions, supporting international teams and often building legal and governance capability as businesses scale. Most recently I built and led legal, compliance and sustainability for a PE-backed specialty pharma group through a buy-and-build strategy.

It’s great to be working with Carbon now. The firm is modern, forward-thinking and collaborative. Culture is really important to everyone here, it’s tangible – it’s great!

WHAT DOES GOOD LEGAL ADVICE LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

It’s advice that helps you decide, not just advice that identifies problems. Too often, a business will receive a risk memo and are left to figure out what to do with it. Good legal advice is direct, commercially grounded, and proportionate. It comes from understanding the business – the strategy, the people, the pressures – not just the legal issue in isolation. The value isn’t only in spotting risk; it’s in helping you move forward sensibly.

WHAT DO YOUR CLIENTS LIKE ABOUT WORKING WITH YOU?

Probably that I’m commercially-minded, pragmatic and get stuck in. I work best when I’m close enough to the business to understand what’s really going on – not just answering legal questions from the sidelines. Clients tell me they value having someone who gives them a clear view, helps them prioritise, and doesn’t slow things down unnecessarily. I’m a sounding board as much as a lawyer.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BEING A LAWYER?

I like making a difference – helping people do what they want to do, in the best way possible. I’m drawn to roles where legal advice is part of the strategic conversation, not something bolted on at the end. Helping businesses move quickly and responsibly, with clarity and confidence, is where I do my best work.

I like helping businesses grow without breaking things along the way.

AND OUTSIDE OF WORK?

Spending time with family and friends, ideally involving the outdoors and/or food. I like the headspace I get when swimming and love being around water, so it’s great to live near the river. I enjoy going to the theatre, live music, and hanging around at the stables while my daughter rides her pony.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

Professionally, most recently, building a great legal function from scratch to be a business partner rather than a department of ‘no’. This meant we could work at pace, be aligned with the client and achieve the business objectives. This was alongside ensuring positive impact by embedding sustainability into how the business actually operated, becoming the first UK-headquartered pharma company to achieve B Corp certification.

Personally, my daughter, she is epic.