The Legal 500

The TMT sector continues to witness convergence, in areas such as advertising, media, IT and telecoms. This is being driven in particular by evolving online, digital and new media technologies, with clients increasingly moving towards services such as cloud computing, electronic health, and mobile devices for banking.

There is heightened awareness among clients about the need to comply with changing regulations while protecting interests and market share, which is driving demand for advisory services on brand positioning, advertising and regulatory compliance as well as disputes, an area covered in the Brand management section. In 2011, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) extended its remit to include organisations’ advertising and other marketing communications on their own websites and other non-paid-for online space under their control.

Data protection is a new section in the chapter, covering advisory, contentious and transactional work, both domestic and international. The sector is undergoing major legislative change as industry insiders and regulators look closely at draft proposals for reforming the EU data protection framework, which aims to harmonise and update regulations across all member states. The UK began enforcing the amended European e-Privacy directive in May 2012, which deals with cookies and aims to protect privacy and limit the use of behavioural advertising.

In IT and telecoms, niche firms continue to take advantage of a cost-conscious client base and offer a specialist service where certain competitors may be reducing their focus on the area. Trends include the demand for shared services, the digitisation of content, and the convergence between the two sectors.

On the intellectual property side, there has been a general increase in litigation, with particular growth in online enforcement issues in copyright and trade mark matters and hi-tech patent litigation. The UK Supreme Court handed down its first patent decision in the life sciences case HGS v Lilly. Debate is increasing among EU member states over proposals to create a Unified Patent Litigation System, the location of the court being a particular point of contention. The aim in unifying the system is to reduce costs and allow for a single judgement on a patent action that can be applied across relevant member states. On the domestic front, the UK has yet to see the full impact of the new Patents County Court regime, which capped recoverable costs and limited the duration of trials.

In media and entertainment, key issues include accessing and licensing content via online and mobile platforms, while Karen Murphy’s High Court victory against the Premier League regarding the use of foreign TV decoders had an impact on sports and copyright law. Media finance work – covered in a separate section for the first time this year – is dominated by specialist firms, with lawyers particularly advising on alternative ways of raising finance such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).

In pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, client services are being driven by expansion into emerging markets, rising costs of drug development, cuts to R&D pipelines and increasingly complex and interdependent regulations. A number of pharmaceutical companies are also facing the so-called ‘patent cliff’ of top-selling drug patents that are close to expiring, which has prompted increased activity in licensing arrangements and acquisitions.

The Sport section addresses sports law in its broader context, covering all legal disciplines required by sports clubs and bodies, sports professionals, amateurs and their managers and agents, as well as sponsors and rightsholders.

While the Legal Services Act allows for the convergence of law firms and PATMA firms, many attorney firms are watchful about the impact change may have on their referral relationships. The structure of the PATMA sections has changed this year, with the introduction of two separate national tables for patent attorneys and trade mark attorneys.

Baker & McKenzie LLP draws on its cross-office network to manage global trade mark portfolios and advise on advertising and marketing matters, including contentious work, for household name brands in sectors such as technology, media, retail and fashion. It advises Carlsberg on marketing campaigns, while other clients include Abercrombie & Fitch, L’Oréal and London Symphony Orchestra. Ilana Saltzman advises consumer goods and IT sector clients on advertising and marketing matters, while Paul Rawlinson focuses on trade mark work.

Bird & Bird combines capabilities in IP, advertising, marketing and sponsorship matters to advise clients such as Allianz, British Cycling, FIBA and HSBC. Felicity Reeve continues to assist Whitbread with marketing activities for the Costa brand, including regulatory advice regarding its gift card product launch. Phil Sherrell acted for creative agency Exposure on clearing advertising campaigns for the Casio G-Shock and Kingfisher brands. Peter Brownlow now manages the European and Asian trade mark portfolio of Monster Energy, and also advised Nordic Spirit on appealing a community trade mark (CTM) cancellation action regarding cylindrical bottle packaging for its new product.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is noted for its ‘standout’ trade mark portfolio management work and high-quality advice on advertising and marketing issues. Mark Holah leads the trade mark and brand protection team, which acts for owners of brands such as Grand Theft Auto and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?. Holah and Leighton Cassidy, who is ‘able to understand business needs and come back with effective solutions’, acted for Live Nation Worldwide and Ticketmaster Entertainment on trade mark portfolio work, oppositions and domain name disputes. Advertising and marketing group head David Bond ‘takes a practical approach in advising clients, and has great interpersonal skills’. Bond advised Cancer Research UK on promotional activities, including a joint venture with Guinness World Records, while other clients include Hostelbookers and Guthy-Renker. Trade mark partner France Delord joined Taylor Wessing LLP, and sponsorship expert Lewis Cohen moved to Mishcon de Reya.

Lewis Silkin LLP acts for advertising agencies such as Omnicom and Publicis as well as owners of household name brands in sectors such as consumer products, telecoms and automobile manufacturing. Giles Crown successfully acted for the AA in a comparative advertising dispute with Green Flag. Jo Farmer advised Bacardi Martini on contract arrangements to appoint tennis player Rafael Nadal as its global social responsibility ambassador and on launching a Facebook competition, with the winning applicant to appear in its TV commercial. Brinsley Dresden advised a major Olympic sponsor on ambush marketing strategies.

Olswang’s core strength lies in its advertising expertise, and it has particular experience in digital and online marketing campaigns. Highlights included advising Marks and Spencer plc on a sponsorship and advertising agreement with The X Factor TV programme. Other clients include Aegis, M&C Saatchi, and Yell. Iain Stansfield acts for advertising and marketing sector clients, and Joel Barry heads the trade mark prosecution practice, managing trade mark portfolios for clients such as BSkyB.

Taylor Wessing LLP handles trade mark filing and portfolio management, advertising and brand protection matters for advertisers, agencies and broadcasters such as Omnicom, Saatchi and Saatchi, Henkel, Visa and QVC. Trade mark clients include Hewlett-Packard, Ferrero and Heineken UK. Charles Lloyd advises a range of clients on IP rights and advertising matters. Trade mark partner France Delord joined from Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP.

At Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP, the ‘unflappable, intelligent, experienced and pragmatic’ Rupert Earle is highly regarded for his regulatory expertise, with clients including the ASA and the Direct Marketing Association. The practice also draws on the firm’s experience in the third sector, with Lawrence Simanowitz advising Christian Aid on re-branding its international operations and acting for the rights owners on developing the Guess2Give fundraising brand. It also advises Samaritans on trade mark matters.

Niche sports law firm Couchmans LLP acts for leading clubs and associations, but also assists corporate investors such as Nike, Carlsberg, Aviva, Marks and Spencer plc, and Barclays. Nic Couchman advises on IP rights, sponsorship and endorsement arrangements. Andy Korman specialises in marketing issues, and has advised rights holders and sponsors including UEFA, British Lions, AEGON, and Gillette.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s Siân Croxon handles trade mark and advertising matters, and advises clients such as Air France/KLM, Church & Dwight and NBTY on marketing campaigns and regulatory issues. Nick Fitzpatrick continued to advise The FA Premier League on sponsorship negotiations with Barclays Bank, and on a partnership arrangement with Electronic Arts. Other clients include HSBC, Zazzle and Dr Martens Airwair.

Farrer & Co advises media, cultural and sports sector clients on advertising and marketing, with a particular emphasis on sponsorship. Peter Wienand leads the IP and commercial team; Anthony Misquitta leads on cultural matters; and Henry Sainty heads the media, entertainment and technology group.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP advises on major sports sponsorship arrangements, and handles clearance issues for advertisers and agencies. It acted for Emirates on sponsorship deals for both the US Open Golf Championship and the TfL cable car development. Bob Mitchell leads on sports and sponsorship matters, where the group has advised corporate sponsors such as Vodafone on the UEFA Champions League. Advertising head Andy Millmore advises Interpublic on copy and brand name clearances, and acted for Mortimer Whittaker O’Sullivan on brand campaigns such as the Iggy Pop advertising series for Swiftcover.

Hogan Lovells International LLP draws on its IP expertise and capabilities in cross-border matters to advise on brand rights, managing trade mark portfolios for leading names such as Skype as well as handling trade mark clearance, passing off and other disputes. David Latham advises Play.com on trade mark oppositions and advertising disputes, and was also instructed by the client to advise on domain name aspects of its acquisition by Rakuten. Richard Welfare advised Mars on sponsorship and advertising work, including an arrangement with the England football team. Other clients include Johnson & Johnson, Mattel, SABMiller and PepsiCo. Sahira Khwaja was promoted to partner in 2012.

Macfarlanes LLP has ‘great experience of the specific challenges relating to brand management’. Advertising and marketing expert Rupert Casey provides ‘added value, and is able to handle anything with calm professionalism’. Casey advised Heineken International on the launch of a Star Player iPhone app for live UEFA matches, and acted for Converse on a sponsorship deal to keep the 100 Club music venue in operation. Jeremy Courtenay-Stamp advised on the brand launch of the Caterham F1 team (formerly Team Lotus), which followed on from the High Court dispute with Group Lotus regarding the Team Lotus mark, in which Geoff Steward represented the client.

Osborne Clarke’s Stephen Groom acts for media sector clients and brand owners on advertising and marketing issues, while Nick Johnson advises on advertising and sponsorship.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP’s Rafi Azim-Khan has good experience in product launches and trade mark matters, and acts for advertisers and blue-chip brand owners. His clients have included Starbucks, Holland America and Chivas Brothers.

‘A firm on the way up’, RPC’s clients include agencies Vibrant Media and WPP Group as well as consumer product companies such as Sports Direct, SCA and Spectrum Brands. For advertising matters, Oliver Bray is ‘absolutely excellent and genuinely interested in the client’s business’. He continues to act for Associated Newspapers, recently advising on regulatory issues and on promotional activities with Wowcher. David Cran advises lastminute.com on brand enforcement matters. Paul Joseph was promoted to the partnership.

Reed Smith combines expertise in advertising and IP protection issues. It advises clients such as McDonald’s Restaurants, BBC Worldwide and Sanex on marketing and advertising issues, and also acts for Bauer Media on various sponsorship and endorsement agreements. Michael Skrein handles advertising and IP disputes, and litigator Emma Lenthall is also recommended. The team hired Nick Swimer, previously head of legal at Channel 4, offsetting the departure of Marina Palomba, who left for an in-house role at McCann Erickson.

Rouse Legal acts for brand owners and consultants such as Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline, Wolff Olins, Incide, Nokia, Toni & Guy, Fiat Auto, and Christian Dior. Managing partner Karen Fong advised on a brand protection and enforcement strategy for Paul’s Boutique, and co-heads the firm’s consumer brands team with Stuart Adams, who focuses on IP enforcement.

Simmons & Simmons LLP’s brands practice is co-led by David Stone (soft IP) and Adrian Smith (clearance and brand protection). The practice advises clients such as E&J Gallo Winery and Hugo Boss on advertising and sponsorship, and advised Coca-Cola on its marketing strategies for the London 2012 Olympics. New clients include Procter & Gamble and Warner Chilcott plc, and it now manages trade mark portfolios for Fox Entertainment in the UK and for TK Maxx across Europe.

At Squire Sanders LLP, Robert Wegenek leads a team handling advertising and branding matters, including clearances and sponsorship arrangements. The practice also has expertise in trade mark portfolio management, for which Chris McLeod is recommended.

Allen & Overy LLP advises major brand owners on IP-related matters, including brand protection, licensing and enforcement. Clients include eBay, Honda, McDonald’s Restaurants, and Sony. Neville Cordell advised Virgin Atlantic on using Olympic symbols in advertising campaigns, and represented Beifa Group in an appeal over proceedings brought against its community design registration for a highlighter pen. Jim Ford is ‘an excellent commercial lawyer who gives high-quality advice’.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP continues to develop a strong trade mark portfolio management practice, with clients including Tie Rack and the Financial Times Group. It also advises BAFTA and Guardian News and Media on sponsorship arrangements. Ian Gruselle heads the practice.

Bond Pearce LLP has particular strength in advising the retail sector, acting for B&Q, Yell.com, Specsavers, and Game Group among others. It also assists Royal Mail Group with all advertising clearances, and recently acted for various owners of well-known brands on new product launches. Julian Hamblin leads the team.

Brabners Chaffe Street LLP has a highly regarded sports law practice, with clients including leading sports clubs, associations and corporate sponsors. Jason Smith advises International Sports Management on brand and IP protection matters for high-profile sports professionals. He also acted for Banco Bradesco on sponsorship agreements for the 2016 Olympics. Trade mark clients include Travel Jigsaw, 4D Creative, and CCS Clean Chemical Sweden.

Bristows draws on its strength in advising on IP rights and protection to manage trade mark portfolios for clients such as the BBC, Yell and WPP. It also acts in contentious trade mark matters for L’Oréal, Kraft Foods, and Smith & Nephew. Practice head Paul Jordan acted for Cadbury on ambush marketing strategies for the London 2012 Olympics, and advised Guardian News and Media on social media product launches. Paul Walsh’s brand management practice includes advertising regulatory issues and brand enforcement.

‘Excellent, client focused, and with a pan-European capability’, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has recently advised on ambush marketing, copy clearance, promotions, regulatory matters, and disputes. The team represents leading names in sectors such as technology, life sciences and consumer products. Susan Barty is ‘extremely client friendly and provides thorough, clear advice on advertising law’, and Tom Scourfield is ‘on the ball and easily engages at a business level’.

Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP’s John Olsen is ‘very knowledgeable about clients ’ businesses and how they approach brand protection and solve problems’. The practice focuses on IP-related protection and enforcement, with noteworthy clients including Warner Bros. Entertainment, MasterCard International, Elizabeth Arden, and Tumi. It hired IP litigator Akash Sachdeva from Allen & Overy LLP, while Rajita Sharma moved to Finers Stephens Innocent LLP.

Herbert Smith LLP advises on trade mark, advertising and marketing matters, with a particular focus on contentious issues. It defended Rockwool in a High Court comparative advertising dispute; assisted BSkyB with brand licensing arrangements; and advised Kobo on advertising issues regarding the launch of its e-reader in WHSmith stores. The ‘very strategic and authoritative’ Mark Shillito advised easyJet on trade mark licensing and opposition matters.

‘Genuine, knowledgeable and organic in its approach’, K&L Gates LLP is noted for its experience in advising the marketing sector. Dominic Bray heads the practice, which advises the Marketing Agencies Association and its members on disputes, compliance and brand clearance issues. It also advises clients such as WWE, Puma and AOL on advertising and sponsorship matters, particularly new media issues.

Manches LLP advises multinationals and SMEs on advertising and sponsorship. It handles brand protection and enforcement for new clients Spicerhaart and Ferrexpo. John Doherty leads on regulatory matters, and Alex Fox handles litigation.

Nabarro LLP’s Guy Heath focuses on trade mark matters, including licensing and protection issues, and also advises on sponsorship and marketing arrangements.

Swan Turton continues to advise advertising agency JWT London on clearance, regulatory and contractual matters. Other clients include trade body The Advertising Producers Association, agency The Viral Factory, and online retailer Nakedwines.com. Charles Swan heads the advertising and marketing practice.

Wedlake Bell LLP advises clients such as Which?, Lufthansa and BMW on brand licensing, advertising and trade mark protection. Adrian Heath-Saunders has experience in advising brand owners on IP protection.

Wragge & Co LLP has a comprehensive brand management practice led by Dan Smith, who acts for brand owners, rights holders and agencies. Highlights included advising PowerPlay Golf on the launch of a new game format, including a sponsorship deal with Saab. It also represented Birds Eye and Kingspan in comparative advertising disputes. Other clients include Premier Foods, Chrysler and TfL.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP manages trade mark portfolios for clients such as Harrods, Liverpool FC and Travelodge Hotels. It also advises J Sainsbury on sponsorship matters, recently assisting with an endorsement agreement with David Beckham and advising on its sponsorship of the Paralympics. Paul Bentham heads the practice.

Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP’s Jonathan Day and Richard Dickinson lead on brand protection and management issues. Highlights included managing Philip Morris International’s worldwide trade mark portfolio, including assisting with online infringement issues, brand ownership and licensing agreements. It also advises the estate of Michael Jackson on trade mark oppositions and clearances.

Atkins Thomson advises creative and media sector clients on IP and brand protection issues. Trade mark portfolio management expert Denzil Gunner is ‘a superb operator, with a close understanding of even the most arcane issues’. Graham Atkins heads the practice.

Blake Lapthorn’s extensive trade mark practice, led by Jill Bainbridge, acts for clients such as Akzo Nobel and Alcatel-Lucent on brand protection and enforcement issues.

Charles Russell LLP ‘considers matters from both a business and legal perspective, which is rare and valuable’. It handles IP protection and enforcement matters for clients such as Arcadia Group, Nike International, Cadbury UK, and Wagamama. Trade mark attorney Kate O’Rourke ‘gives practical advice’, and Mary Bagnall has ‘in-depth knowledge of UK trade mark and copyright law, and is extremely detail oriented’, with particular expertise in protection issues for shape and colour trade marks.

Clintons advises creative industry clients on advertising, marketing, sponsorship and trade marks. Philip Stinson heads the practice.

Collyer Bristow LLP acts for Boardman Bikes on sponsorship and licensing agreements, recently advising on the supply of its product range to the British Olympic Cycling team, and also advises Sanrio on brand protection. Patrick Wheeler heads the team. Annsley Ward joined Allen & Overy LLP.

Eversheds LLP handles trade mark, sponsorship and advertising matters. Highlights included advising Links of London and Coca-Cola on sponsoring major sporting events, and representing Northern Foods and Novartis in comparative advertising disputes. Neil Mohring and Andrew Terry are the key contacts.

Fox Williams LLP focuses on global trade mark portfolio management, and has a number of fashion and retail sector clients. Simon Bennett is ‘an IP specialist, who provides to-the-point advice’.

Goodman Derrick LLP’s Paul Herbert advises TV and broadcast sector clients on clearances, regulations and compliance.

Hamlins LLP’s Ian Down, who has ‘an eye for detail and thinks around different solutions, approaches and outcomes’, acts for McDonald’s UK and Europe on various sponsorship and marketing arrangements. Philip Herbert is a trade mark specialist.

Lawrence Graham LLP’s Jonathan Riley advises on sponsorship matters, while Andrew Dobson handles trade mark protection and enforcement issues. Clients include Green Energy UK, Canada Goose and Mayfair Brands. Georgie Collins joined Brown Rudnick LLP.

M Law advises clients in the media, entertainment, retail, technology and telecoms sectors on trade marks and brand protection. Matthew Higdon is the key contact.

Michael Simkins LLP’s Nicola McCormick is ‘very bright, knows the advertising industry back to front, and is a great commercial litigator’. Her specialist advertising law expertise covers IP rights, clearance and regulatory matters. Highlights included negotiating sponsorship agreements for a pre-Olympics event.

Mishcon de Reya acts for leading brand owners and rights holders in the fashion, retail, sports and entertainment sectors. Simon Tracey leads the team, which hired trade mark attorney Rebecca Davis from Harbottle & Lewis LLP and Lewis Cohen from Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP.

Onside Law Limited acts for prominent sporting professionals and associations on sponsorship deals and general brand protection. It also advises leading model agencies on trade mark matters. Oliver Hunt is the key contact.

Pitmans LLP manages international trade mark portfolios for entertainment and sports sectors clients, advising music artists on brand protection matters. Clients include Live Nation, British Fashion Council and Ascot Racecourse. Jeremy Summers leads the team.

SJ Berwin LLP’s trade mark practice handles portfolio management work, filing, licensing and enforcement matters for clients such as BSkyB, Lion Capital and MGA Entertainment. It also advises on advertising and clearance issues. David Rose leads on brand protection and enforcement work.

Sheridans handles a broad spectrum of advertising, marketing, sponsorship and trade mark work for clients in the media, entertainment, fashion, consumer products and sports sectors. Robin Hilton and Jeremy Roberts co-head the practice, acting for clients such as Bourjois, Publicis and Anheuser-Busch.

Simons Muirhead & Burton’s Maninder Gill advises media and entertainment sector clients on brand protection and enforcement issues, including trade mark and online advertising infringement claims.

TLT LLP has ‘an ability to quickly gain understanding of brand positioning situations and its importance to clients ’ business models’. The team manages numerous international trade mark portfolios, and advises on sponsorship, advertising and marketing. Clients include Accolade Wines and Comparethemarket.com. Practice head James Touzel is ‘an exceptionally focused and able commercial lawyer’. Kerry Gwyther and Alison Deighton are also recommended.

Withers LLP’s Hugh Devlin advises luxury and consumer brand clients on collaborations and endorsements. Clients include Vivienne Westwood and an F1 team.

Bird & Bird handles UK and pan-European matters, and recently advised on a number of well-publicised data privacy breaches in the online and mobile advertising sectors. Regulatory instructions included advising on the use of children’s data as well as online marketing. Ruth Boardman, who co-heads the international data protection group, has ‘impressive pan-European data privacy knowledge’. Consultant Francis Aldhouse was formerly the UK Deputy Information Commissioner.

Bristows provides ‘an outstanding level of service, giving advice that is practical and demonstrates technical knowledge’. It recently acted for Google in its Streetview Wi-Fi litigation. The practice also advises clients on Binding Corporate Rules (BCR) applications, and UK and European compliance issues. Clients include IBM, Sony, Cargill and British Airways. Practice head Mark Watts gives ‘superb, practical guidance’. Hazel Grant advises on compliance matters, and of counsel Christopher Millard is ‘a guru’ on international privacy compliance.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP acts for finance, telecoms and technology sector clients such as Barclays, Motorola, Google and Sony Europe. With a very strong reputation in regulatory matters, it recently represented clients in negotiating proposals with the EC for EU legislative reform. Other highlights included successfully gaining a BCR approval for Novo Nordisk. The ‘excellent’ Eduardo Ustaran leads on EU regulatory advice, while Stewart Room handles contentious matters.

Baker & McKenzie LLP advises household name clients on compliance issues, particularly in the context of cross-border projects. The practice is underpinned by firmwide strength in sectors such as technology, luxury consumer goods and telecoms, with representative clients including Google and You Tube, Hutchison 3G, Porsche, and Sharp. Ilana Saltzman is ‘an expert in her field, and is prepared to advise clients on what she thinks they should be doing in practice’.

Covington & Burling LLP provides ‘practical and business-savvy advice’ on international data privacy matters, and ‘there is no other firm out there that has the intersection of data protection and pharmaceutical industry experience’. Highlights included advising the World Anti-Doping Agency on complaints to the EC; assisting Microsoft on privacy issues regarding its acquisition of Skype; and advising pharmaceutical companies on BCR applications. Daniel Cooper is ‘extremely measured and practical’ in his advice on European privacy matters.

DLA Piper UK LLP provides ‘top-notch commercial advice’ on regulatory compliance matters, including for online products, international data transfers and security breach issues. Sheffield-based practice head Cameron Craig leads on co-ordinating privacy projects for blue-chip clients.

Herbert Smith LLP’s information governance team is led by of counsel Kate Brimsted, following Christopher Rees’ departure to Taylor Wessing LLP. Brimsted supports transactional matters and litigation, while standalone work includes advising on data sharing and breaches. Clients include Atmel Corporation, Moneysupermarket.com, British American Tobacco, and ElectraLink.

Hogan Lovells International LLP focuses on cross-border and pan-European advisory matters for clients such as Aviva, GE, American Express and Prudential. Practice head Quentin Archer and of counsel Mac Macmillan both have ‘in-depth experience and give informative, practical and commercial advice’. They advised SABMiller on international data transfer issues, and Willis on centralising its data processing systems.

Hunton & Williams advises on UK and EU regulatory compliance issues, global compliance projects and data security matters. Practice head Bridget Treacy is supported by Richard Thomas as well as senior attorney Rosemary Jay, who joined from Pinsent Masons LLP. Treacey’s clients include GE, The Estée Lauder Companies, and TK Maxx.

Linklaters LLP provides ‘practical, business-focused advice’, and is recommended for ‘big-ticket’ matters. Recent work includes advising on cross-border compliance projects and personal data transfer matters, and it also assisted News International in the phone-hacking investigation. Richard Cumbley has particular expertise in information governance issues, and ‘delivers a balanced risk assessment, makes law interesting and is knowledgeable – he just “gets it”’.

The team at SNR Denton ‘demonstrates an understanding of market standards and alternative approaches’. It obtained BCR approval for First Data Corporation in the first such authorisation under the new Mutual Recognition Procedure, and advised Teva Pharmaceuticals on a global data transfer project. Other clients include Virgin Atlantic, Home Retail Group and Total. Practice head Nick Graham ‘combines legal knowledge with an understanding of the operational and commercial considerations faced by businesses’. Scott Singer is ‘technically sound’, and Martin Fanning is ‘geared towards the most commercial, practical solution while not taking on any excessive risk’.

Paula Barrett leads Eversheds LLP’s international data privacy practice, which handles global compliance projects and advises extensively on data security breaches and privacy issues, including online behavioural advertising. Clients include Rolls-Royce, eBay, Comet Group, and United Technologies.

Technology head Clive Gringras leads Olswang’s data protection and privacy practice, which focuses on contentious matters. It acted for News Corp in relation to civil breach of privacy claims, and assisted BAE Systems in outsourcing its HR database to Logica. Other clients include Vouchercodes, Microsoft and Visa Europe.

Valued for its ‘hands-on, creative approach’, Osborne Clarke has a focus on the technology, energy and financial service sectors. James Mullock, who has longstanding expertise in data privacy matters, recently advised Everything Everywhere on a mobile payment service launch and represented several water companies in SmartSource v ICO, which involved freedom of information issues. The team also handled cross-border compliance projects and data transfer issues for clients such as Motorola Solutions and Dell.

Pinsent Masons LLP hired Marc Dautlich as practice head from Olswang in 2011, replacing Rosemary Jay, who joined Hunton & Williams. The remodelled team advises public sector bodies on information security and compliance issues, and has also been advising in relation to international legislation. Clients include AstraZeneca, Chartis and Scottish Power.

White & Case LLP advises clients such as American Express, Celestica, Hess Corporation and IAB Europe on global compliance projects, data protection and privacy issues. Practice head Ashley Winton has a solid reputation for information governance and security matters.

Noted for its ‘solid commercial advice’ and ability to ‘understand the issues’, Allen & Overy LLP assists blue-chip clients in relation to data breaches and regulatory issues in the context of high-profile matters and cross-border transactions. Jane Finlayson-Brown is ‘approachable, considered, and not fazed by anything’. Senior associate Nigel Parker is ‘extremely adept’ on the cross-border side.

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP’s practice focuses on information law matters, and impresses clients with its ‘creativity in the face of complex and time-limited matters’. It acts for media and third sector clients, such as Amnesty International and Times Newspapers. Team head Lawrence Simanowitz is ‘insightful and client-focused’, and Melanie Carter, who advises public sector authorities on data subject requests, is also recommended.

With a team led by Gail Crawford, Latham & Watkins LLP ‘quickly identifies the pertinent issues and provides practical legal advice’ on global data privacy and security issues, data transfer and compliance projects. Clients include Yahoo!, Sony Music, Aon, and US Airways.

McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP provides ‘refreshingly commercial advice’, and has ‘impressive pan-industry knowledge’ on cross-border matters for life sciences and healthcare clients. European practice head Rohan Massey’s ‘sound understanding of US data privacy is an asset rarely found in the City. He speaks with real, raw, commercial experience’.

Reed Smith advises clients such as Abbott Laboratories, Badoo, St Jude Medical and Broadcom on global compliance and advisory work. Cynthia O’Donoghue has experience in cross-border contentious matters.

Simmons & Simmons LLP is strong on UK and international matters, and advises technology developers and corporate clients such as HTC, Virgin Media, RBS and Huawei on compliance and regulatory issues. Alexander Brown is ‘a real genius, providing practical, helpful advice’.

Speechly Bircham LLP’s Robert Bond is a well-known figure on data protection matters, particularly for the technology and digital media sectors. The practice manages international compliance projects for clients such as Merck, 3M, Pentair, and Watson Pharmaceuticals, and also advises The i in online Limited in relation to children’s online privacy regulations.

With a dedicated team of 22 franchising specialists, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has extensive experience across transactions, disputes, IP, real estate, tax and employment. Chris Wormald and Mark Abell co-head the group, which represents names such as Ramada, Polo Ralph Lauren, Topshop and Fortnum & Mason, and recently advised LEGO Retail on a franchise structure for its stores. With education franchise arrangements on the rise, the team acts for a number of leading public schools on the structuring of a franchise model to establish institutions in countries including China, Korea and Vietnam. Hotels and leisure expert Babette Märzheuser-Wood represents Starwood Hotels, and Graeme Payne advises Thomas Pink and Lulu Guinness.

Appreciated for its ‘consistency and continuity of service’, Travers Smith LLP’s ‘extremely competent, practical and helpful’ franchising team shows ‘real commercial savvy’, and ‘provides guidance on negotiation tactics and pitfalls’. It advised Pinewood Studios on overseas franchising arrangements with studios across the world, and is advising Malmaison and Hotel du Vin on the development of a pan-European franchise model. Other clients include Moto, SSP, LK Bennett, and Yo! Sushi. Department head Tom Purton is ‘an excellent adviser’, ‘extremely competent as well as a pleasure to work with’. Dan Reavill is also recommended.

‘Reliable, very pragmatic and extremely knowledgeable’, Ilana Saltzman leads Baker & McKenzie LLP’s franchising group, which is part of a wider commercial department and draws on the firm’s global capabilities. Fashion brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Polo Ralph Lauren instruct the firm, as do Porsche UK, the Body Shop, Starbucks, and Carlsberg. IP and licensing specialist Michelle Blunt is recommended.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP specialises in franchising arrangements in the hotel and retail sectors. Recent highlights include advising on a franchise agreement relating to a UK fashion brand in China and the Far East, and acting for a celebrity cake shop to develop franchise and trade mark licence relationships. IP department head Simon Clark also leads the franchising team. Associate Natasha Aziz – a former head of legal at Laura Ashley – is also recommended.

Blake Lapthorn’s Southampton-based team of three partners and six assistant solicitors provides contentious and non-contentious advice to franchisors and franchisees, as well as franchise consultants. The group prides itself on acting for ethical franchisors, with clients including The Southern Co-operative, Molly Maid and new client Prokill UK. Sheilah Mackie heads the team.

The global footprint of DLA Piper UK LLP makes it an attractive choice for franchisors. In 2011, head of IP Bonella Ramsay advised on the UK roll-out of the Jamie Oliver restaurant brand. Iain Bowler led successful pitches to win big-name clients Mothercare, Polo Ralph Lauren and Hertz.

David Bigmore & Co in Association with Goodman Derrick LLP’s David Bigmore advised on the franchising aspects of Sir Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. Franchisor clients include Moda In Pelle, House of Colour, and Jeeves of Belgravia.

Niche franchising firm Hamilton Pratt, in Warwick, retains a significant market share of members of the British Franchise Association, and has attracted clients such as iOpener and Just Falafel, advising on an international roll-out and an expansion into the UK respectively. John Pratt heads the group, and Gurmeet Jakhu leads on the litigation side.

Mike Barlow stepped up to head Leathes Prior’s team, taking over from the highly respected Jonathan Chadd. The Norwich-based group is ‘professional in all that it does’, and represents UK franchisor Drain Doctor and consultancy Franchise Development Services.

Macfarlanes LLP’s commercial team acts in contentious, regulatory and advisory franchising matters. Jeremy Courtenay-Stamp and Charles Meek acted for the owners on the sale of the UK Krispy Kreme franchise. Other clients include Gourmet Burger, Pret A Manger and Arora Hotels.

Cobham-based Mundays LLP has a multi-disciplinary team providing a full service to franchisees and franchisors, among them Clarks, Budgens Stores and Prontaprint. Commercial disputes specialist James O’Flinn advised TM Lewin on franchising in Singapore, Malaysia and the Czech Republic. Robert Harris handles property aspects, while Fiona McAllister focuses on employment litigation.

Jane Masih heads the team at Slough-based Owen White, and has over 20 years’ experience in franchise network development. Russell Ford handles disputes, while Andrew Hayward drafts franchise agreements and advises on employment matters.

Simons Muirhead & Burton advises on a variety of multi-jurisdictional franchising agreements, licensing and trade mark matters. Maninder Gill heads the team, which represents clients including LK Bennett, Aspinal of London, and Dennis Publishing.

TLT LLP’s Bill Hull is ‘a first-class lead’ for the specialist franchising team, which is ‘very practical in its approach, giving exactly the right level of knowledge and advice’. It recently advised on a programme of international franchising for WHSmith stores at travel hubs and retail destinations. Other clients include nationwide pub franchise Greene King as well as various automotive dealer franchises, including IM Group.

At commercial law boutique Cubism Law, Andrew Pena and associate Robert Bedford act in a range of high-value and complex franchise disputes.

Fox Williams LLP advises fashion industry clients (such as SuperGroup) and independent schools (such as North London Collegiate School) on international retail and education franchise models. Commercial specialist Stephen Sidkin shows ‘attention to detail’, and gives ‘well-considered advice’.

Lesley Hall at Manches LLP advised Malthurst on branding issues arising from the purchase of service stations from Esso under a substantial UK franchising arrangement. Liberty Retail, Moss Bros and Papa Johns are also clients.

Guildford-based Stevens & Bolton LLP’s franchising team is led by the ‘realistic and commercial’ Nicola Broadhurst, who joined from Mundays LLP in May 2011. The group’s clients include Caremark and Papa Johns. Kate Matthews is very experienced in dispute resolution.

Baker & McKenzie LLP is particularly recommended for cross-border matters, and ‘understands the European telecoms market’, with capabilities spanning regulatory, litigation, outsourcing and contractual matters. Peter Strivens heads the telecoms team, and provides ‘a solid, sensible view of the world based on deep experience’; and Harry Small and Christina Demetriades together head the IT and communications practice. Richard Pike acted for Hutchison 3G in mobile termination rate appeals, and Steve Holmes and Ben Allgrove advised cloud video gaming company OnLive on its UK launch. Other clients include Accenture, Google, Arqiva and Telefónica.

Bird & Bird is ‘at the forefront of the technology and telecoms industries’, and provides ‘hands-on commercial experience’ and ‘a co-ordinated international approach’. Highlights included advising Everything Everywhere on upgrading its 2G infrastructure, and advising the government on a national roll-out of smart energy meters. Communications head Graeme Maguire is appreciated for his ‘depth of knowledge and commercial understanding’ of the IT sector. For mobile telecoms, Dominic Cook is ‘extremely knowledgeable about the law, operationally savvy and unusually energetic in the pursuit of client goals’. Colin Long joined as of counsel from Olswang.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s clients include Barclays, Tata Communications, RBS, STC-Viva and HCL Technologies. Kit Burden leads on IT outsourcing matters for corporate and banking clients, while Richard Bonnar focuses on advising the public sector. In the telecoms group, Mike Conradi advised Hibernia Cable on contractual matters regarding the construction of a high-speed transatlantic cable. Richard Norman handles contentious matters.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has a team ‘capable of proactively taking the firm’s reputation forward in these sectors’. It regularly advises the British government, and attracted serveral new clients including Vodafone, HCL and Tata Consulting. Simon Briskman acted for China Telecom Europe on regulatory matters, and also represents Vodafone, AT&T, Virgin, and Turks Telecom. John Worthy’s ‘drive and insight is precisely what is often necessary in transactional engagements’. He recently advised on satellite procurement and smart ticketing matters. IT disputes partner Andrew Dodd and Michael Chissick are also recommended.

‘Informed, knowledgeable and highly commercial’, Herbert Smith LLP is noted for its strength in regulatory and contentious matters. IT practice head Mark Turner advises on major systems development and procurement. Nick Pantlin is ‘very user friendly and makes everything look easy’, and recently acted for Man Group on a $200m global IT project and outsourcing arrangement. Telecoms head Nick Elverston, who is ‘very solution oriented and able to “think with the business”’, led advice to Telefónica on a UK joint venture with Everything Everywhere and Vodafone. Senior associate David Coulling is ‘a rising star’.

Olswang has ‘impressive industry knowledge’, with Clive Gringras leading the technology team, following the departure of Nigel Swycher. Gringas advised Pottermore books on the digitisation of the Harry Potter novels. Anthony Waller gives ‘consistent, high-quality, pragmatic advice’, and recently assisted NVIDIA in acquiring Icera for $367m. Telecoms head Rob Bratby successfully acted for major telecoms operators in Competition Appeal Tribunal hearings. Other clients include Yahoo!, Microsoft, Cable & Wireless and KPN. Marc Dautlich joined Pinsent Masons LLP, and Colin Long moved to Bird & Bird.

Pinsent Masons LLP handles a range of contentious and non-contentious commercial matters. It advised the government on the Broadband Delivery UK initiative, and has also been handling a number of IT disputes for public sector bodies. Other clients include AXA, Fujitsu Services and Centrica. Clive Seddon leads the team, with Simon Colvin experienced in IT projects, and David Isaac recommended for outsourcing transactions.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP advises clients such as Barclays, National Grid and Stagecoach on commercial and transactional matters. Mark Lewis is ‘an expert in outsourcing agreements and particularly good at finding solutions to difficult problems’. Practice head Richard Chapman acted for Tesco on a pan-European IT project, as well as assisting in relation to its telecoms operations and arrangements with suppliers. Craig Rattray focuses on IT transactions for the utilities and finance sectors.

Bristows has ‘deep technical expertise’, particularly in complex patent litigation and other contentious matters. The lawyers are ‘good to work with – they become part of the team, and are practical, straightforward and enjoy working on technology matters’. Toby Crick is ‘creative, flexible, proactive, and a very good negotiator’. Both Crick and practice head Mark Watts advised household name clients regarding online and IT product launches. Pat Treacy advises the telecoms sector on competition law matters. Myles Jelf is ‘a tenacious litigator who is committed to best serving client needs’, and is representing Samsung in the smartphone dispute with Apple. Other clients include Yell, Everything Everywhere and Hutchison 3G UK.

The team at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP combines ‘legal excellence and commercial understanding’, and is expert in competition law and other regulatory matters. Practice head John Armstrong has particular experience in large-scale outsourcing matters, and Chris Watson is noted for his telecoms expertise. Joanne Wheeler has ‘specialist knowledge of the satellite industry and all relevant regulatory and legal issues’.

Hogan Lovells International LLP gives ‘informative, practical and commercial advice’, and focuses on major outsourcings for corporate clients, along with litigation and regulatory matters. Quentin Archer has ‘in-depth experience’ in technology matters, including disputes. The ‘very commercial and very pragmatic’ Conor Ward leads on IT and telecoms outsourcing transactions. Mark Taylor was part of a team that advised Barclays on setting up its Pingit mobile banking application. Other clients include HTC, Royal Mail and Citi.

‘Very sensible, thorough and commercial’, Kemp Little LLP is ‘expert in all aspects of the highly complex and rapidly evolving field of ICT and telecoms law’. The practice recently handled global outsourcings, and also advised financial services sector clients. Team head Richard Kemp ‘always gives pragmatic views and solutions, and a good feel for what is current best industry practice’. Calum Murray, who ‘delivers a smart, personal service and is always on top of both commercial and legal issues’, acted for Expedia on contractual arrangements for telecoms and technology services. Outsourcing head Paul O’Hare ‘has lots of experience and a strong network, which he uses to maintain bang-up-to-date market information’.

Latham & Watkins LLP handles a range of transactional, outsourcing and contractual matters for clients including Telefónica, Commercial Bank of Qatar, and City Telecoms. Luke Grubb is recommended for outsourcing transactions. He and Andrew Moyle advised Mobile Telephone Networks SA on renegotiating an outsourcing agreement with IBM.

Linklaters LLP is ‘able to provide sensible, pragmatic advice with a view to getting the deal done’, with particular strength in high-value, cross-border transactions. Highlights included advising Vodafone on the sale of its share in mobile phone operator SFR to Vivendi. The team includes global head of TMT and IP John Crozier; Julian Cunningham-Day, who is recommended for outsourcing and procurement matters and is ‘solutions driven and consistently delivers a high-calibre service to clients, with a strong commercial focus’; and Richard Cumbley, who recently advised PwC on regulatory and contractual IT matters.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s head of corporate and telecoms Peter Dickinson handles transactional work, and recently advised Interoute Communications on acquiring the parent company of cloud services provider Quantix Group. IP and IT head Mark Prinsley focuses on projects and outsourcing matters, recently assisting EMI Music and London Metal Exchange with IT agreements. Stephen Beales is recommended for telecoms outsourcing matters. Other clients include Vodafone, Orange and Moody’s Investor Services.

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP’s team, led by Laurence Jacobs, is ‘prepared to provide full service or ad hoc support as required’. It handles large-scale, high-value projects, and transactional and contentious matters. Recent work includes advising the NHS and Maxis on renegotiating IT services contracts. The group also acted for Vodafone and Barclays Bank on global projects, and acted for Top Up TV in an Ofcom investigation. Sean Keaton, on the transactional side, is ‘energetic, unstuffy and eager to get involved’. Litigator Julian Stait is ‘a good negotiator, strong technically and very pleasant to work with, and also has a strong team’. Senior associate Joel Harrison is also recommended.

Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP’s technology transactions practice is led by Alistair Maughan, who, along with of counsels Tim Roughton and Anthony Nagle, ‘concentrates on finding the strategic issues and focuses on the commercial realities’ of outsourcing and procurement. Maughan advises public sector bodies such as HM Revenue and Customs and the UK Border Agency. Chris Coulter has particular expertise in digital cinema. Contentious expert Alan Owens is ‘resourceful’.

SNR Denton has ‘in-depth sector knowledge and handles IT and telecoms transactions with care, deliberation and speed’, and is notable for its experience advising clients in the energy and public sectors. Dan Burge led for EDF Energy on the national roll-out of its smart metering programme. Telecoms head Jan Willem van den Bos, who is ‘particularly personable, has a detailed knowledge of the broader context of a deal, and a strong sense of the commercial considerations’, is advising the Saudi Arabian telecoms regulator on reforming its framework. Catherine Bingham ‘combines an excellent legal brain with a pragmatic approach’, and recently advised the MoD on a major IT project. Amanda Lewis, who advises on IT contracts and also handles contentious matters, is ‘very bright, handles an enormous workload, and delivers on time’.

The team at Taylor Wessing LLP is ‘particularly proactive in creating innovative ideas to meet legal requirements’, and demonstrates ‘a thorough understanding of risks and contingencies’. It has recently advised in relation to e-commerce product launches, mobile applications development, and cross-border commercial contracts. Glyn Morgan heads the practice, and stands out for his experience in commercial IT matters and his ‘attention to the subject matter; he really gets under the skin of a deal’. In telecoms, Patrick Clark is ‘very experienced and dedicated, and has intimate knowledge of vendor issues’. Tracy Sheehan has expertise advising the public sector.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s IT practice acts for customers on outsourcing transactions and projects. Michael Lowry leads the technology team. Senior associate Marc Cropper advised Barclaycard on an agreement with Everything Everywhere to launch a mobile payments solution. Other key clients include J Sainsbury, Aviva, Tiscali, and The Home Office. Mark Deem joined Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP.

Allen & Overy LLP’s cross-departmental team has capabilities in transactional/M&A, litigation and anti-trust matters. Jane Finlayson-Brown handles procurement, outsourcing and projects, and Nicola Dagg leads on IP litigation.

Clifford Chance’s Jenine Hulsmann is recommended for telecoms regulatory and competition matters. Spencer Baylin handles M&A and finance work. Key clients include Deutsche Telecom, Immarsat, Saudi Telecom Company, and Anheuser-Busch.

At Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, TMT co-head Ben Spiers has acted for clients such as Vodafone and Hewlett-Packard on M&A and transactional matters; Natasha Good focuses on telecoms-related corporate deals; and Richard Lister leads on outsourcing arrangements.

Osborne Clarke is noted for its involvement in outsourcings and projects, including cross-border matters. Practice head Angus Finnegan advised P&O on a £15m outsourcing agreement with Getronics; and Simon Rendell acted for Everything Everywhere on a mobile payments joint venture with Vodafone and O2. Other highlights included advising Motorola on the UK aspects of the sale of its wireless network business to Nokia Siemens Networks. Dell, Acision, Vodafone and Virgin Media are also clients.

Slaughter and May ‘delivers clear, practical and commercial advice’ on transactions, and is ‘top quality’ for contentious work. Highlights included advising Carillion on its outsourcing arrangement with Accenture, and acting for DONG Energy on IT systems restructuring. IT and outsourcing head Rob Sumroy is ‘technically competent, personable, very pragmatic, and bright’.

Delivering ‘a responsive, cost-effective service’, Technology Law Alliance recently advised Capgemini, Crest Nicholson, F&C Asset Management and HP Enterprise Services on contract negotiations, and is also recommended for transactional work. Jeremy Newton’s ‘in-house experience means he understands the industry, is very flexible and is technically very good’. Gavin Wakefield has strong experience in outsourcing arrangements.

Highly recommended for international telecoms matters, Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP ‘understands business, technology and the law’, and is ‘a “weapon of choice” for complex, high-stakes contentious matters’. Clients include Telus Corp and AT&T. Practice head Michael Ryan has ‘vast experience and understanding of how the telecoms regulatory world actually works’.

Ashurst’s IT practice head Mark Lubbock advised WorldPay on new systems for online payment processing, and Visa Europe on procuring mobile technologies. Communications group head Dhana Doobay handles commercial, regulatory and litigation matters for clients such as Telefónica, Virgin Media and KCOM Group.

Charles Russell LLP gives ‘solid, commercially pragmatic advice’ on IT and telecoms matters, recently advising the government of the Bahamas on privatising its telecoms company, and online publisher Miniclip on e-commerce issues. Practice head Vincenzo Lanni has ‘vast experience’ in international matters. Mark Moncreiffe adopts ‘a calm yet authoritative stance in negotiations’.

Eversheds LLP has notable experience in handling software-related deals for financial services clients. New practice head Simon Gamlin has ‘an uncanny balance of legal expertise, industry knowledge and the ability to provide commercially astute, workable solutions’; and James Walsh has ‘really good overall telecoms business knowledge’. Clients include Cincinnati Bell, Wolseley and Anglo American. Gamlin took over from Rex Parry, who left to set up his own consultancy.

Jones Day’s Jonathon Little leads on transactional IT matters, and recently acted for Brit Insurance on outsourcing systems to Infosys. On the contentious side, the firm represented Apple in an EC investigation regarding the sale of e-books. Nicholas Cotter has experience in contentious telecoms regulatory matters.

Norton Rose LLP’s technology head Mike Rebeiro is ‘a skilled negotiator and builder of relationships, with knowledge and understanding on all aspects of outsourcing’. Highlights included acting for Friends Life on a £1.4bn-plus outsourcing, and advising Orange and Vodafone on acquisitions. The team also acted for Orange Holdings in contentious matters.

IP firm Powell Gilbert LLP has acted in IT and telecoms related patent disputes, including representing the defendants in Microsoft v Motorola and LG Electronics v Sony, and the claimant in HTC v Apple. Ari Laakkonen heads the department. Simon Ayrton and Alex Wilson have experience in technology contract disputes.

‘Specialist and expert in telecoms’, Preiskel & Co LLP provides ‘both value for money and high-quality strategic advice’. It recently advised Amazon EU on various agreements, and Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo on the European MVNO market. Daniel Preiskel is a ‘thorough and very knowledgeable’ regulatory expert, and Ronnie Preiskel is recommended for commercial contracts. Of counsel David Allen Green is ‘very good on litigation strategies’.

RPC is ‘sensible, commercially minded and solutions driven’, handling large-scale and cross-border outsourcings and projects as well as contentious matters. Jeremy Drew leads the team, and Andrew Sutherland is a ‘very sound commercial lawyer who understands technically complex issues’. Oliver Bray advised Saffron Digital on agreements with Samsung and Blockbuster to deliver video content on mobile phone devices. Commercial and regulatory expert Stephen Smith joined from Mayer Brown International LLP.

‘Responsive, flexible, and focused on the commercial workability of solutions’, Radiant Law has a modest-sized team but good depth. Recommended individuals include Alex Hamilton; Andrew Giverin, who is ‘exceptional’ in terms of ‘knowledge, advice and flexibility’; and David Skinner, who ‘asks the right questions’. Highlights included advising the LSE and BSkyB on contracts.

The team at SJ Berwin LLP is ‘very commercial’ and has ‘outstanding depth’ for IT transactions. It is co-led by Andrew Shindler, who is ‘hands-on and able to cope with anything’, and James Gill. Shindler acted for Ideaswork3D on software and commercial agreements regarding a financial investment by Activision. Gill focuses on the retail and finance sectors, where clients include City Credit Capital and MyTreasury (part of the ICAP group).

Simmons & Simmons LLP’s ‘proactive’, ‘very professional and competent’ team is led by Tom Wheadon, who ‘provides very strong advice’ on telecoms, e-commerce and online matters. Michael Sinclair advises on outsourcing and procurement, and Andrew McMillan handles corporate matters. Highlights included advising Virgin Media on the provision of services to joint venture group Mobile Broadband Network Limited. The team also advised OnLive on aspects of its launch in the UK and other European jurisdictions.

Waterfront Solicitors’ clients regard it ‘as part of the team running the business’. The group, which provides ‘City expertise’, includes practice head Carole Hailey, who is ‘a specialist in the IT and internet sectors’, and litigator Matthew Harris, who ‘provides the right advice on every occasion’. Highlights included advising software suppliers to the financial services sector, advising Ordnance Survey on procuring cloud-based technologies, and acting for Avanta Enterprise on outsourcings.

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP provides ‘trusted advice’ on telecoms regulatory and competition law matters. Emanuela Lecchi and Jason Logendra advise authorities and governments in emerging markets on legislative issues. Private sector clients include Tesco, and Cable & Wireless.

White & Case LLP’s telecoms head David Eisenberg is ‘a specialist in this area, with a focus on transactional and corporate work’, acting for clients such as HSBC, Orascom Telecom and Vodafone. Ashley Winton advises IT suppliers as well as leading finance and corporate sector clients on outsourcings and regulatory matters.

Wragge & Co LLP provides ‘good-quality advice at very reasonable rates’, recently advising Marks and Spencer plc on a high-value, e-commerce project and the Bahraini Ministry of Health on a £40m outsourcing contract. Department head Peter Hall focuses on IT transactions, and Sally Mewies is an expert in retail and telecoms projects.

Blake Lapthorn advises customers and suppliers on IT matters. Practice head Simon Stokes has ‘industry and legal knowledge, coupled with wisdom’. Nick Arnold handles contentious matters.

Covington & Burling LLP’s Lisa Peets handles online-related regulatory and enforcement matters. Daniel Pavin handles licensing and commercial agreements. Clients include Microsoft, O2 and CBS Interactive.

DAC Beachcroft LLP handles a range of contentious matters as well as outsourcing, projects and contracts for public and private sector clients. Tim Sewart heads the practice, which acts for clients such as Intellect and Surrey County Council.

Dundas & Wilson LLP provides ‘good, solid advice’. Practice head Paul Graham is ‘an excellent IT lawyer’, and is supported by senior associate Reg Dhanjal, who focuses on the telecoms sector. The team advised RBS, Everything Everywhere and BAE Systems on IT agreements.

Fasken Martineau LLP advises on a spread of transactional and contentious matters. Practice head Roger Loosley has wide-ranging expertise, and advises suppliers and customers. Bill Molloy, who joined from Teacher Stern LLP, advises on litigation, procurement, outsourcing and projects.

Fladgate LLP acts for clients such as CryptoCard, Sovereign Business Integration and Cambridge Assessment in IT transactions, providing ‘good, pragmatic advice at a competitive price’. Anthony Lee leads the team.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP’s Tony Ballard focuses on the satellite broadcasting sector, advising clients such as Telenor and ANO TV Novosti on contractual and regulatory matters.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP’s Anthony Woolich is ‘experienced and business minded, and exercises good judgement’, and is known for his expertise in EU and competition matters. The team typically acts for IT purchasers, and recently advised a multinational on Europe-wide contract negotiations with Vodafone.

Lawrence Graham LLP’s Peter Brudenall is ‘knowledgeable, instils confidence, can rapidly understand objectives, and explains issues and solutions clearly without legal garble’. He now heads the practice, following Richard Marke’s departure to Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP. Clients include McDonald’s UK and NIIT Technologies.

Simon Morrissey heads Lewis Silkin LLP’s commercial technology practice, and acts for both suppliers and purchasers. Consultant Marcus O’Leary advises on transactional and contentious matters.

Macfarlanes LLP acts for financial sector clients on IT outsourcing, and recently advised ICAP on arrangements with investment banks for i-Swap, a new electronic trading platform. Rupert Casey heads the practice.

At Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, outsourcing specialist Ian Ferguson is recommended.

Reed Smith advises clients such as Broadcom, Siemens and Sony Network Entertainment on a broad range of commercial and transactional IT matters. Practice head Cynthia O’Donoghue acts for a broad cross-section of clients in life sciences, technology, telecoms, and financial services.

‘As good as the bigger, better-known IT outfits’, Salans provides ‘specialist advice and a very responsive service’ on transactions and regulatory matters. Tatiana Kruse is ‘very creative and technically very knowledgeable, with a no-nonsense approach’. The team focuses on advising the financial services industry; clients include the Electronic Payments Association.

Speechly Bircham LLP’s Alexander Carter-Silk continued to represent WPL in its copyright infringement dispute with SAS. Nathalie Moreno advises telecoms and IT operators on transactional and regulatory matters. Vinod Bange joined Taylor Wessing LLP.

Stephenson Harwood’s John Buyers has ‘deep industry knowledge’, and significant experience in IT outsourcing and other contract negotiations. Clients include KPMG, Capita and The Cloud Networks.

At Teacher Stern LLP, Martine Nathan leads on IT procurement, licensing, outsourcing and projects, while Colin Richman handles contentious matters. Bill Molloy joined Fasken Martineau LLP.

Towerhouse Consulting’s Paul Brisby leads on regulatory matters for the electronic communications sector, including contentious work for major broadcasters and suppliers. Clients include Fujitsu, TalkTalk Group, Verizon, and the UK Competitive Telecoms Association.

Travers Smith LLP’s Dan Reavill recently advised Brewin Dolphin on implementing a £16m IT system, and successfully represented Inoapps in a dispute. Other clients include HostelWorld.com, London Mining and Pret a Manger. Alistair Wilson is now a consultant with the firm.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP advises public sector customers and private sector suppliers on IT procurement matters. Riccardo Abbate is ‘personable and always approachable’.

Wedlake Bell LLP’s IT practice has a strong focus on contentious matters. Anna Cook recently joined Radiant Law.

‘First-rate’ IP firm Bird & Bird handles the full range of contentious and transactional matters, and is particularly strong in litigation. Highlights included advising the UK Media Monitoring Association regarding a Copyright Tribunal dispute, and Associated Newspapers on contentious trade mark issues. It also represents Nokia in patent infringement actions across the EU. Other clients include Teva, Air Canada and LG Electronics. Litigators Morag Macdonald and Katharine Stephens co-head the practice. Trevor Cook’s ‘unparalleled understanding of IP matters allows him to provide uniquely clear advice on technically and legally challenging issues’; Mark Heaney is ‘a master of the issues, facts, evidence and strategy in complex bet-the-company patent litigation’; and Lorna Brazell gives ‘pragmatic, no-holds-barred advice’.

Bristows is ‘a very user-friendly firm that provides strategic and tactical advice on IP’, and is highly recommended for patent litigation, including the co-ordination of cross-border disputes. Myles Jelf, who ‘balances an appreciation of complex technical issues with strategic direction on wider legal questions’, led for Samsung in the smart phone litigation against Apple. Other recent matters include acting for L’Oréal in a trade mark dispute with eBay, and for SAS Institute in a software copyright case. Practice head Edward Nodder ‘gives the senior view and strategic advice’; Matthew Warren is ‘a sharp lawyer for identifying potential issues and finding solutions’; and Fiona Nicolson is ‘exceedingly knowledgeable’. James Boon has the ‘rare ability to handle the detail, while keeping a firm grasp on the big picture’, and Brian Cordery and associate Laura Reynolds are also recommended.

Herbert Smith LLP’s ‘very strategic and authoritative’ practice head Mark Shillito handles patent and trade mark disputes. Sophie Rich leads on life sciences matters, and Sebastian Moore, who provides ‘valuable advice’ in pharmaceutical patent litigation, recently represented Roche in High Court proceedings. Nick Gardner is now a consultant at the firm. Other clients include Abbott Laboratories, Eisai, Rockwool and Chevron.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is ‘simply first class at managing multi-jurisdictional litigation’, particularly patent disputes. Stephen Bennett is ‘an innovative, strategic thinker who is great at complex IP matters’, and has ‘a refreshingly down-to-earth, practical style’. He acted in life sciences and telecoms disputes for clients such as Merck and HTC. Adam Cooke provides ‘succinct and sound IP advice’ on cross-border matters. Paul Brown, who is ‘technically impressive, and is developing a good hi-tech patent practice’, was recently promoted to partner, as was Daniel Brook, who has ‘a very bright future, and fights his client’s corner hard’. David Latham represented Mattel in a cross-border trade mark dispute regarding its Scrabble game brand.

Olswang is highly recommended for its soft IP expertise. ‘The first port of call for any heavyweight copyright or trade mark litigation in the UK’, Paul Stevens defended Microsoft in a trade mark claim brought against its Bing search engine brand name, and is also acting for Yahoo! in a dispute over copyright protection claims in professional football fixture lists. Stephen Reese advised Vectura Group on a global licensing deal with Sandoz. Michael Burdon focuses on patent litigation, and Robert Stephen leads the in-house patent attorney team.

IP boutique Powell Gilbert LLP is ‘one of the best’ for patent litigation matters, handling leading matters across life sciences, technology and telecoms. Its team of ‘first-class individuals’ is particularly good at co-ordinating cross-border disputes. Recent work includes representing Human Genome Sciences in the Supreme Court’s first decision in a patent case, and acting for HTC in litigation against Apple. It also represented GSK in a trade mark and copyright infringement action against Coca-Cola. Penny Gilbert is ‘absolutely excellent’, and has ‘great experience in pharma and biotech cases’; Tim Powell ‘knows cases inside out’, and has ‘an outstanding ability to grasp and explain complicated matters’; Ari Laakkonen is ‘very intelligent, with an enormous knowledge of the telecoms market and technology’; and Simon Ayrton gives ‘impressive and thoughtful advice on patent and trade mark matters’.

Simmons & Simmons LLP’s Richard Binns handles commercial IP matters, while Rowan Freeland focuses on life sciences patent disputes, recently representing Cephalon in UK proceedings against Mylan and Orchid. Marc Döring successfully acted for Bayer in an appeal brought by Gedeon Richter. The team is highly recommended for soft IP matters, with David Stone – ‘an expert on design-related matters’ – giving ‘unwavering commitment to client service’. Stone is representing Coca-Cola in High Court proceedings, and assisting Samsung in a dispute with Apple regarding its Galaxy products. Other clients include Eli Lilly, British American Tobacco and Capita.

Noted for its ‘great out-of-the-box thinking’ on IP matters, the team at Taylor Wessing LLP gives ‘advice that combines legal theory with a sound business commercial focus’. Simon Cohen leads the patents group, which acted for Ericsson in litigation against ZTE, and defended Teva in a dispute brought by Warner-Lambert. It also advised Agilent Technologies and F-star on commercial matters. Roland Mallinson has ‘outstanding IP knowledge, especially on trade mark law’, and recently advised a household name client in a colour trade mark dispute. Patent litigator Chris Thornham is ‘an incredibly thorough and thoughtful lawyer’, and senior counsel Timothy Pinto is ‘an excellent strategic thinker who ensures that issues are considered from every angle’.

Wragge & Co LLP’s Paul Inman is ‘exceptional in biotech and pharmaceutical patent litigation, and will stop at nothing to do the best for his client’, and successfully acted for Lundbeck in a High Court patent dispute against Norpharma and Infosint. Alexandra Brodie represented Hasbro in its Play-Doh trademark dispute win. Patrick Duxbury handles commercial IP licensing matters for the life sciences sector. IP litigator David Barron is also recommended.

Allen & Overy LLP is recommended for patent litigation, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. ‘Very creative and tenacious’ IP litigation head Nicola Dagg and Huw Evans, who gives ‘succinct and sound IP advice’, together defended Novartis in a cross-border dispute with MedImmune regarding the Lucentis drug. Neville Cordell is ‘an expert litigator, with a strong knowledge of IP law, which he applies to cases in a highly commercial manner’. Cordell assisted eBay in a trade mark dispute with L’Oréal involving keyword advertising issues. Jim Ford advised Biomet on licensing arrangements.

Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP’s core strength lies in IP litigation. David Perkins and Christopher Stothers represented Danisco in UK patent dispute proceedings against Novozymes. Ian Kirby represented PlentyofFish Media in a Court of Appeal trade mark case. Other clients include GlaxoSmithKline, Vlingo Corporation and Philip Morris.

Baker & McKenzie LLP focuses on soft IP and transactional matters, and acts for global brand names such as Google, Sony, Pfizer and Cargill. Michael Hart and Ben Allgrove represented Meltwater in the appeal of a copyright case against the Newspaper Licensing Agency. Allgrove also advises digital media and new technology companies on IP licensing arrangements. Stephen Jones handles patent and trade mark matters.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s global IP head Simon Levine is ‘a lateral thinker who simplifies the complex for clients’. IP litigator Ruth Hoy is ‘a highly competent technical lawyer’ on copyright and trade mark issues. The team acted for various football associations in a copyright litigation matter which involved CJEU and High Court hearings, and also advises clients such as Blackstone, Philip Morris and Virgin Atlantic Airways on commercial IP and patent matters. Bonella Ramsey co-chairs the life sciences group.

Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP focuses on the life sciences and hi-tech sectors, with key clients including ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Mastercard International, and a leading online retailer. Nicholas Bolter has particular expertise in trade mark issues. Ben Goodger focuses on commercial matters. Practice head John Olsen is ‘extremely good and highly experienced’ in trade mark and community design matters. The firm hired Richard Graham, who ‘shows great awareness of the e-commerce industry’, and IP litigator Akash Sachdeva, who provides ‘very commercial advice’; they joined from Bird & Bird and Allen & Overy LLP respectively.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is recommended for contentious trade mark and other soft IP matters. Nick Rose and Allan Poulter provide a no-nonsense service, and recently acted for Google in a keyword advertising dispute. Mark Holah, Rebecca Swindells and Leighton Cassidy are also recommended for trade mark work. Mark Hodgson handles life sciences disputes.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP’s strength lies in advising media, entertainment and technology sector clients on copyright and trade mark matters. Practice head Mark Owen continued to represent Lucasfilm in its Star Wars copyright case, which was heard at the Supreme Court. Shireen Peermohamed’s clients include Orange, Virgin Group and Ben Sherman.

Linklaters LLP handles transactional and contentious IP matters, with clients including Shire Pharmaceuticals, RBS, Sanrio and Visa Europe. Practice head Ian Karet is ‘very sharp and very clever, but also a very good listener’, and recently advised Intel on patent matters, as well as acting for William Hill in an appeal concerning an online trade mark dispute with 32Red. Benedict Bird focuses on trade mark matters, and Nigel Jones handles patent litigation and commercial work for the healthcare sector.

Marks & Clerk Solicitors LLP’s ‘high-quality’ patent litigation offering benefits from its associated patent and trade mark attorney firm. William Cook, who gives ‘solid legal advice based on a thoughtful, logical application of the law’, successfully acted for Virgin Media against Gemstar, including at appeal. Mike Gilbert acted for MedImmune and Genentech in High Court actions. Mark Blair and Kirsten Gilbert continued to represent Budejovický Budvar in a dispute regarding the Budweiser mark, which reached a favourable appeal hearing. The firm also handles commercial matters for LiDCO and Light Blue Optics. Newly promoted partner Michael Moore is also recommended.

Mishcon de Reya acts for media, entertainment, technology and life sciences clients, and is particularly recommended for anti-counterfeiting matters, an area in which Jeremy Hertzog recently advised Pfizer. Simon Tracey represented the rights owner of musician Lady Gaga in a trade mark action against the owners of online game Moshi Monsters, which created a character called Lady Goo Goo. Adam Morallee acted for Gucci in a design right dispute.

RPC’s key strength is in trade marks, where it has recently handled cross-border and High Court litigation, and it continues to expand its patents expertise. The group also successfully defended Bloomsbury Publishing against a copyright infringement claim regarding the Harry Potter series. Jeremy Drew and David Cran handle contentious and commercial matters. Clive Thorne has ‘a wealth of experience in IP’, and successfully represented Apimed in a patent infringement appeal.

Redd maintains a strong reputation, and provides ‘pragmatic, commercial and creative advice’, particularly for SME clients. IP litigator Sara Ashby has notable expertise in patent and design rights; Simon Chalkley leads on commercial matters; Charters Macdonald-Brown is a highly experienced general IP litigator; and trade mark expert Anna Carboni recently represented Microsoft in a High Court dispute brought by BSkyB. Associate John Colbourn is ‘developing into a great all-rounder’.

Rouse Legal’s Jeremy Newman and Arty Rajendra handle soft IP matters, and recently represented Nokia in an anti-counterfeiting dispute, which reached both ECJ and Court of Appeal hearings. Diana Sternfeld acted for Merck Sharp & Dohme in appealing a patent revocation decision regarding a glaucoma drug. Richard Willoughby is recommended for patent litigation across various sectors.

SJ Berwin LLP has wide-ranging capabilities. It handled patent litigation for Ranbaxy, and is acting for a major broadcaster in trade mark infringement proceedings. Other clients include Sanofi-Aventis, BSkyB, Nintendo and Ladbrokes. Ray Black is an experienced IP litigator; Jeremy Schrire focuses on commercial matters; and David Rose leads the team.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s IP team demonstrates a ‘depth of expertise’ in design, copyright and trade mark matters. Practice head Simon Clark provides ‘excellent strategic judgement and insight’, and successfully represented the Newspaper Licensing Agency in a copyright dispute with Meltwater in the High Court and Court of Appeal. The ‘insightful, knowledgeable’ Ian de Freitas focuses on the technology sector.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP acts for clients across the life sciences, consumer goods and hi-tech industries. Tom Scourfield recently acted for Nestlé in High Court litigation regarding the validity of shape marks. Team head Nick Beckett focuses on life sciences patent litigation; Susan Barty advises on technology matters; and Jeremy Morton handles a broad range of contentious work.

Charles Russell LLP has recently handled some significant contentious matters alongside its transactional work, and also has a trade mark filing practice, led by Kate O’Rourke. Ian Wood has been representing Mölnlycke and Sandvik in patent disputes. Patrick Gearon acted for the claimant in MMI Research v cellXion, and represented Nike in OHIM oppositions. Mary Bagnall advised Cadbury in defending opposition proceedings regarding protection for its purple colour trade mark.

Covington & Burling LLP provides ‘consistently solid advice’ on IP protection, licensing and enforcement matters, particularly regarding online technology and life sciences. Practice head Lisa Peets is advising Business Software Alliance on proposals regarding UK copyright legislation reform. Of counsel Morag Peberdy has both transactional and contentious experience.

D Young & Co LLP ‘surpasses expectations’ on contentious IP work, fielding an in-house team of IP attorneys and solicitors. Ian Starr is ‘a seasoned IP litigator of the highest calibre’, whose ‘advice on contentious and strategic issues is first class’. He and ‘rising star’ Tamsin Holman are representing Winning Moves in a dispute with The FA Premier League regarding the use of footballer images on its Top Trumps card game. Other clients include Rolex, PepsiCo and Johnson & Johnson. Associate Cam Gatta is ‘a font of knowledge on copyright issues’.

Lewis Silkin LLP advises brand owner clients such as Lush Cosmetics, Reckitt Benckiser, Aston Martin and Omnicom. The team has recently acted in a number of online technology infringement disputes, and practice head Giles Crown acted for the AA in a design invalidity application appeal. Simon Chapman has experience in disputes and internet enforcement.

Macfarlanes LLP focuses on soft IP matters for the consumer goods sector, with clients including Umbro, Pernod Ricard and Yoplait. Geoff Steward handled a number of high-profile trade mark disputes, including defending 1Malaysia Racing in a case against Group Lotus and acting for Anheuser-Busch in a trade mark revocation claim against Budejovický Budvar. Rupert Casey handles licensing matters.

McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP’s Hiroshi Sheraton, who focuses on the life sciences sector, recently advised Novartis in cross-border patent disputes and co-led with Rohan Massey on the successful representation of the claimant in 32Red v William Hill. Sheraton has also been working as part of a cross-office team on shape trade mark issues, while Massey focuses on commercial IP matters. Gary Moss moved to EIP.

Norton Rose LLP is ‘highly attuned to a client’s business and needs’, and acts for ICAP, Visa Europe, RBS, and Orange, among others. Mike Knapper handles commercial and transactional matters, and ‘thinks of real solutions that will work’. Jonathan Ball handles trade mark disputes, and also represented Brightpoint in telecoms patent litigation against IPCom.

Osborne Clarke’s Theo Savvides continued to defend Marks and Spencer plc in a Google AdWords trade mark infringement claim brought by Interflora, and also advised Biome on patent litigation and transactional matters. Other highlights included advising Nintendo on licensing arrangements, and assisting Expedia with pan-European copyright and trade mark issues.

The lawyers at Penningtons Solicitors LLP ‘actively advise, rather than just process, and have real international capacity’. The team handles soft IP protection and enforcement issues, including matters involving colour marks, licensing and online infringement. Clients include Prudential Health Services and Levi Roots Reggae Reggae Foods. Anna Frankum is ‘very experienced, totally pragmatic, and highly efficient’.

Pinsent Masons LLP focuses on the retail and financial service sectors. Iain Connor continued to represent Interflora in its Google AdWords dispute with Marks and Spencer plc. Kim Walker handles non-contentious matters. Practice head Catrin Turner has ‘an authoritative manner and a very practical approach to IP problem-solving’. Senior associate Helyn Mensah joined from New Square Chambers.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers Legal LLP provides ‘personalised, direct and responsive legal advice’ on transactional and contentious IP matters. Latika Sharma has ‘inspirational client-handling skills’; and Jonathan Nugent is ‘pragmatic, commercially relevant, and very personable’.

Reed Smith maintains its media sector focus but also advises clients in the life sciences and financial services industries on soft IP matters. The team is ‘helpful in laying out the landscape of European and international IP law’. Michael Skrein ‘adopts a very careful, tactical approach to negotiations’ relating to disputes. Carolyn Pepper advises Bauer Media on contentious and transactional matters, and Emma Lenthall has particular expertise in Copyright Tribunal cases.

SNR Denton’s practice head John Linneker is highly rated for his commercial approach, and recently acted for Group Lotus in a high-profile trade mark dispute. Anthony Trenton is ‘very diligent and very focused, and an excellent technical lawyer’, particularly for patent litigation. The team represented Schütz in a patent infringement appeal case which has been referred to the Supreme Court.

Slaughter and May ‘delivers first-rate, commercially relevant advice’ on transactional IP matters. Susie Middlemiss, who is ‘extremely dedicated to her clients’, recently advised Speciality Fibres and Materials in the High Court case Convatec v Smith & Nephew. David Ives, on the commercial side, is ‘sharp and client focused’.

Squire Sanders LLP’s IP team is led by Carl Rohsler, ‘a distinguished and experienced litigator’ notable for his experience in online copyright matters. Global head of trade marks Chris McLeod leads the filing practice, which represents clients such as Panasonic and Formula One. Other key clients include Telegraph Media Group, Cath Kidston, easyJet, Smith & Nephew, and 888.com.

Wiggin LLP’s IP practice is ‘good for all-round media sector work’. Litigator Simon Baggs co-heads the team with Shaun Lowde, who is a ‘talented and technical’ commercial adviser. Solicitor Gurminder Panesar is ‘level headed, knowledgeable and clear sighted’, and leads on trade mark matters, an area in which the firm recently set up a filing practice. Highlights included advising the brand owner of Goal.com on licensing arrangements, and acting for various parties, including The FA Premier League, in the judicial review of the Digital Economy Act.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP focuses on advising retail and consumer goods clients. Nikki Powell, who joined from Edwin Coe LLP, recently advised the appellants in MMI Research v cellXion & anor. Practice head Monica Burch has experience in soft IP disputes, and Michael Lowry handles commercial work. Jamie Harrison now heads the Singapore office.

Ashurst focuses on transactional matters, for clients such as Ark Therapeutics and Autonomy. The ‘very proficient’ Dominic Batchelor recently advised DLR on trade mark licensing arrangements for the River Thames cable car project. Mark Lubbock heads the team.

Baker Botts (UK) LLP mainly handles soft IP matters, particularly contentious work. Consultant Peter Taylor’s clients include LEGO Group and Callaway Golf Company. Special counsel Neil Coulson joined from Jones Day, and ‘combines the rare mix of detailed legal knowledge, a practical, commercially minded approach, and significant experience’.

Blake Lapthorn advises media, arts and technology sector clients on commercial matters, particularly regarding copyright and digital media issues. Simon Stokes leads the team.

Briffa’s clients include fashion designers, brand owners and technology companies. Margaret Briffa leads the team, which handles design right, patent and trade mark work. Briffa continues to advise Furminator on its pan-European anti-counterfeiting programme. Attorney Aaron Wood heads the trade mark and brand protection practice.

Brown Rudnick LLP’s Richard Penfold advises on soft IP protection and infringement issues. The team also includes trade mark attorney Kirsten Doherty and new arrival Georgie Collins, who was formerly head of IP at Lawrence Graham LLP.

Clifford Chance’s Vanessa Marsland is ‘a trusted counsel’ on contentious and transactional trade mark and copyright issues. The practice also handles trade mark filing and opposition work.

Collyer Bristow LLP’s Joe Cohen and Patrick Wheeler advise on copyright and trade mark infringement matters for clients such as Omega Engineering and Timesource. Howard Ricklow handles non-contentious work. Annsley Ward is now with Allen & Overy LLP.

Davenport Lyons focuses on soft IP matters for media, sports and technology sector clients. Jim Dennis represented Shebang Technologies in a trade mark dispute with Google over its Nexus brand. The practice also advised the co-owner of ‘The Gherkin’ (The Swiss Re Tower, 30 St Mary Axe) on IP protection rights.

Dechert LLP’s IP practice is led by the ‘commercially astute’ Paul Kavanagh, who advises on cross-border contentious matters. Counsel Renzo Marchini is noted for his technical expertise, and acts on IP aspects of transactional matters.

Edwin Coe LLP’s Simon Miles handles a broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Highlights included acting for the claimant in the trade mark case Leofelis v Lonsdale, and advising Unisplay on IP protection and enforcement rights regarding LED technology products.

Eversheds LLP handles trade mark and patent matters, including transactional support, for clients including BAE Systems, DuPont, Coca-Cola and United Therapeutics. Practice head Neil Mohring advised Apple Corps on an OHIM appeal regarding an application for the word ‘beatle’.

Farrer & Co assists a range of publishing, cultural and education sector clients on IP protection, enforcement and litigation. Peter Wienand specialises in copyright and technology sector matters, while Anthony Misquitta handles contentious work.

Fasken Martineau LLP’s IP litigation head Ralph Cox has ‘a wealth of experience in pharmaceutical IP cases’, and recently acted for Omnipharm and Swarovski-Optik in actions to assert patents. Cox also handles soft IP disputes, while Allistair Booth advises on non-contentious matters.

Fox Williams LLP advises fashion, retail and technology sector clients on trade mark and design right matters, including disputes. Simon Bennett is ‘an IP specialist, and provides to-the-point advice’.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s Richard Lister focuses on transactional matters. Avril Martindale handles commercial work, and Justin Watts has acted for clients such as Johnson & Johnson in patent disputes.

Hansel Henson LLP is recommended for smaller and mid-market IP cases. Highlights included representing the defendant in Toth v Emirates, and achieving a favourable settlement for The Jersey Cow Company in a trade mark dispute filed by Cowshed Products. It advises Subway and Future Games of London on non-contentious matters. Name partners David Hansel and Tom Henson are both recommended.

Jones Day focuses on cross-border work, and acts for various multinationals. Alastair McCulloch covers a wide range of industry sector matters, including hi-tech patents. Neil Coulson joined Baker Botts (UK) LLP.

K&L Gates LLP’s Dominic Bray represents clients including Time Warner, AOL, WWE, and Novatel Wireless in contentious matters. Patent litigator Rebecca Halford-Harrison is ‘outstanding – inventive and bright’. Her clients include Neuralstem and Tate & Lyle. The practice also handles sports-related IP transactional work.

Kemp Little LLP’s Paul Garland is ‘a strong and measured lawyer who has built up a very capable team of IP lawyers’ to handle technology-related IP matters. Clients include SITA, the Financial Times Group, and McKesson.

Latham & Watkins LLP advises on transactional and contentious matters, with clients including Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, ConvaTec, Norgine and Orion Publishing. Laurence Cohen leads the team.

Lawrence Graham LLP’s Andrew Dobson and Jonathan Riley lead on contentious and non-contentious matters respectively. Clients include Canada Goose and Green Energy UK. Georgie Collins joined Brown Rudnick LLP.

Laytons’ Esther Gunaratnam handles IP licensing and protection matters. Russell Beard acts in trade mark, design right and copyright disputes.

At Manches LLP, contentious specialist Margaret Tofalides is ‘very client oriented and forward thinking, and has outstanding commercial and analytical skills’. Lesley Hall handles non-contentious work. Clients include the British Medical Association, Basilea Pharmaceutica, and Ferrexpo.

Mark Prinsley heads Mayer Brown International LLP’s team, in which Sarah Byrt handles commercial matters and Jonathan Radcliffe focuses on patent disputes. Sangeeta Puran continued to act as co-counsel to Sandvik in its litigation against Kennametal regarding a patent for an alumina-coated cutting tool. Other clients include Celtic Pharma, Sotheby’s and NSE India.

Nabarro LLP’s Guy Heath leads on trade mark matters for clients such as Levi Strauss and Twitter. The practice is increasingly handling IP licensing work, for clients including Enigma Diagnostics.

Speechly Bircham LLP’s Alexander Carter-Silk defended World Programming Limited in a copyright infringement case brought by SAS, obtaining a broadly favourable ECJ ruling.

Eifion Morris now heads Stephenson Harwood’s practice, following Lucy Harrold’s departure from legal practice, and Alexandra Pygall has joined from Covington & Burling LLP. The firm handles transactional and contentious matters, and recently advised Datacard Corporation in High Court infringement proceedings.

Wallace LLP’s Michael Clinch handles contentious matters, and Craig Thompson focuses on soft IP commercial work. Clients include media, entertainment, technology, and telecoms companies. Matthew Pryke left to become CEO at Fine & Country, which remains a client of the firm. Benjamin James joined from Bircham Dyson Bell LLP.

The team at Waterfront Solicitors ‘punches above its weight’, and has an ‘easy-going, can-do attitude’. Mainly handling contentious matters, it recently represented Kenwood in trade mark litigation, and defended Dynamic Cassette International against patent proceedings brought by Seiko Epson. Matthew Harris is ‘friendly, brilliant, direct, and able to think outside the box’; and Piers Strickland is ‘excellent for demanding litigation, and very tactically aware’.

Wedlake Bell LLP’s key strengths include design right disputes, and anti-counterfeiting and trade mark matters. It represents various fashion and retail sector clients, and successfully defended Tesco in a design right infringement case. Disputes partner Michael Gardner and commercial lawyer Adrian Heath-Saunders are recommended.

The talented Sean Egan at Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP provides specialist theatre and performance advice. Clients include West End producer Bill Kenwright, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and Random Dance. Highlights included advising the Young Vic on World Stages London, and MJE Productions on Ghost – The Musical. Erica Crump advises the National Association of Choirs and the Big Art Project. Former film producer Lawrence Simanowitz advises on copyright, freedom of information and alternative financing. Philip Trott’s clients include Endemol.

Clients appreciate Bray & Krais, Solicitors’ ‘great service and value for money’, and particularly recommend music lawyers Richard Bray and Mark Krais for their ‘excellent industry knowledge and expertise’. Simon Dixon handles commercial work involving theatre and live events. Consultant Alan Lander joined from Sound Advice (Legal) LLP. Clients of the firm include F1 Rocks, Universal Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Diageo, and Arthur’s Day Music Festival.

Clintons shows ‘unmatched flare and dedication’, and represents songwriters and producers, as well as corporate clients including Universal Music and Virgin Media. The ‘tough, practical’ John Cohen and James Jones, who is ‘majestically good at drafting and structuring deals’, advise Sir Tim Rice and David Ian Productions on Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Bodyguard. The Donmar Warehouse is another longstanding client. Music lawyers Peter Button and Andrew Myers advise Muse and Little Mix. Nicky Stein represents new acts including Gotye. Tom Frederikse is recommended for his digital expertise, and Philip Stinson provides ‘excellent commercial advice’. Litigator Andrew Sharland acts for Syco Entertainment, and Roddy Chisolm Batten is representing several celebrities in News International phone-hacking cases. David Griffiths is ‘a safe pair of hands’.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘smart, user-friendly’ team, led by ‘trusted business partner’ Chris Hanson, represents major studios Paramount Pictures and Universal, and producers Clerkenwell Films, Abbottvision and Fremantlemedia. Video on demand (VOD) mandates included advising Entertainment One on its deal with LOVEFiLM, and Lionsgate UK on its tie-up with Netflix. TV and broadcasting specialist Michael Ridley demonstrates ‘industry knowledge and pragmatism’. Nicholas West and Nick Fitzpatrick advise the FA Premier League, the Football League and the NBA, and sports broadcasters ESPN and Sony Entertainment. Duncan Calow advises Macmillan, Orion and Random House on ebooks and digital publishing. Associate Lee McGuirk is singled out for praise. Online gaming specialists Hilary Stewart-Jones and Stephen Ketteley joined from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

At Davenport Lyons, practice head Leon Morgan provides ‘excellent response times and value for money’. The film and TV team advises on production and financing. Fraser Bloom advised Scott Free Films on the crowd-sourced documentary Life in A Day. Richard Moxon and Sam Tatton-Brown advised Piccadilly Pictures on The Numbers Station. Kevin Bays heads the publishing team, which acts for MGN, with Robin Shaw advising Ian Hislop and Adam Glass representing Macmillan. Music lawyer Michelle Brown acted for BMG Rights Management in its unsuccessful bid for EMI’s music publishing division. Nigel Davies, who is praised for his ‘wide sector knowledge’, assisted Digital Theatre in acquiring rights to the theatre production of Much Ado About Nothing. David Marchese is also recommended. The firm recently recruited litigator Nick Goldstone from Magrath LLP, and music copyright specialist Sebastian Davey from Swan Turton.

At Farrer & Co, Peter Wienand provides ‘sound counsel’, and Henry Sainty has ‘superb commercial acumen’. They advise The Economist on digital syndication arrangements in China. London Business School is also a key client. Anthony Misquitta is ‘always spot on’ with copyright and other IP advice. The ‘unrivalled’ Julian Pike is ‘solutions oriented’, and Tom Bruce and Jeremy Tizzard ‘provide superlative service’. Paul Jones was promoted to partner. Ben Beabey moved in-house, and Nigel Palmer left for academia.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s cross-departmental team recruited Michael Harte from Olswang and Kami Naghdi from Constance Media. Naghdi and practice head Tim Johnson are advising Rocket Pictures on feature film projects. Rebecca Swindells represented MTV in High Court proceedings against Turkish TV channels. Other clients include Viacom, Netflix and BBC Worldwide, and the group was also appointed to Vodafone’s panel. Digital media expert Phil Lee, Christine Phillips Barry Smith, David Naylor, Derek Hill, and corporate media partner Andrew Blankfield are also recommended.

At media litigation boutique Forbes Anderson Free, Andrew Forbes, who is commended for his ‘refreshing commercial acumen’, represented BPI in its successful application to the High Court to order Britain’s internet providers to prevent users accessing The Pirate Bay. The ‘thorough, tenacious and tactical’ Dominic Free represents Universal Music Publishing, Island Records and new client Warner Music. Martyn Bailey has recently acted for Ministry of Sound, Cooperative Music and Beggars Group. George Festing is also recommended.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP is considered to be the ‘market leader in film and TV’ and acts for clients including DreamWorks Studios, Shine Group, Working Title and new client NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). Practice head Medwyn Jones is praised for his ‘encyclopaedic knowledge’, Peter Armstrong advised Universal on the production of 47 Ronin. Abigail Payne is ‘hugely admired and trusted’. Jonathan Berger advised Microsoft on digital entertainment service Zune. ‘Highly regarded’ theatre lawyer Neil Adleman is advising West End productions Singin’ in the Rain and The Ladykillers, and international productions including the Broadway production of Ghost. Paul Jones and his music team advise Jamie Cullum, Universal Music Group and Omnifone. New clients include Spirit Music and Sophia Somajo. Chloe Wright was promoted to partner. Mark Phillips and Paul Cairns lead the interactive content group, advising gaming clients including Electronic Arts, Zynga and Zattikka. The publishing team includes practice head Caroline Turner, Shireen Peermohamed and recently promoted partner Adam Mitton. Alex Hardy joined from Hachette. Clients include Penguin Books, Oxford University Press and Gok Wan.

Lee & Thompson LLP comes highly recommended for its film, TV and music expertise. The ‘experienced, wise and brave’ Reno Antoniades, who leads the film practice, advises clients such as Revolution Films and Cuba Pictures. The ‘exceptional’ Richard Lever heads the TV group. Mark Ashelford and Mark Stafford advised Telefónica on digital content licensing and data protection compliance. Jocelyn Whinney joined from Google. The ‘tenacious, loyal and helpful’ Jeremy Gawade’s talent team attracts high-profile stars. Lawrence Engel’s music team acts for clients including BMG Chrysalis, Universal Music and CMO Management, and recruited Kieran Jay from Herbert Reeves & Co., who represents Paolo Nutini and Example. ‘First-class’ litigator Gordon Williams represents the Spice Girls and certain finalists from The X Factor, including One Direction. Mike Brookes is recommended.

Michael Simkins LLP’s ‘market-leading’ practice, led by Paddy Grafton Green, is ‘highly experienced and totally reliable’. Ed Baden-Powell advised the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and assisted Universal Music Group on the £1.2bn acquisition of EMI’s recorded music division. Together with Jonathan Blair, he also advised Pottermore on commercial matters. New clients including the Performing Rights Society (PRS) and Syco TV, which joined a high-profile roster including Iron Maiden, Francesca Simon (author of the Horrid Henry books), and Stage Entertainment. Clients appreciate managing partner Euan Lawson’s ‘in-depth knowledge and commercial application’, and James Harman’s ‘responsiveness and commonsense’. Music litigators Paddy Gardiner and Tom Iverson joined from Eversheds LLP.

Olswang’s ‘in-depth sector knowledge makes it hard to beat’. Tony Leifer’s publishing team is the key adviser to Guardian Media Group and Reed Elsevier, and Clive Gringras advised new client Pottermore on ebook publishing. The music team, led by John Enser, advised LG Electronics on its connected TVs, and advised on the establishment of joint venture TV platform YouView. The ‘competent, user-friendly and approachable’ film and TV team advises ITV on The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, and Selina Potter acted for BBC Worldwide on the sale of BBC Magazines. Paul Guite and Mark Devereux represented Elizabeth Murdoch in Shine’s sale to News International. Jacqueline Hurt is ‘outstanding’, and Geraldine Proudler, David Zeffman and Mark Bertram are also recommended. Victoria Gaskell was promoted to partner. Former practice head Lisbeth Savill joined O’Melveny & Myers LLP’s newly established media practice.

Osborne Clarke’s ‘commercial, pragmatic’ practice is underpinned by the wider firm’s expertise in technology and advertising. Marquee clients include Facebook, Motorola, Netflix and News International. Nick Johnson provides advertising, marketing, sponsorship and digital marketing advice. Reading-based Mark Webber advised creative agency TH_NK, and head of digital business Mike Turner attracted new client Virgin Media. Head of interactive entertainment Paul Gardner is ‘commercial, helpful and prompt’, and advised Nintendo on launching the hand-held 3DS. Ray Berg’s publishing team advises on print and digital media. Privacy expert Sue Gold joined from Disney.

RPC advises newspapers on ‘complicated, time-sensitive matters efficiently and confidently’. Practice head Jaron Lewis, who successfully represented Google in two main test cases, is acting for new client News International. Oliver Bray is advising publishers and retailers including Waterstone’s and HMV on content licensing, ebooks and apps. Corporate partner Tim Anderson is advising Associated Newspapers on the Daily Mail and General Trust merger with Zoopla. ‘Reliable, commercial operator’ Sanjay Pritam advises Harmsworth Printing, Fox International and YouTube. David Hooper successfully defended Bloomsbury in copyright infringement proceedings concerning the Harry Potter books. Robert Johnson joined from McGrigors LLP. Paul Joseph was promoted to partner.

Reed Smith is ‘first rate for media and film work’. ‘Exceptionally fine lawyers’ Michael Maxtone-Smith and Richard Philipps advise on film financing and production, and clients include the UK Film Council and its successor the British Film Institute. The team also advised new client Virgin Media on blocking access to Newzbin and The Pirate Bay. Broadcasting specialist and practice head Stephen Edwards and Emma Lenthall advised the BBC on copyright agreements with PRS and MCPS. Edwards represented Box TV in licence renewal negotiations with VPL. Nick Swimer joined from Channel Four and Laura Crowley was promoted to counsel. Music lawyer and ‘brilliant negotiator’ Gregor Pryor is advising Last.fm on licensing arrangements with the PRS, and negotiating digital licences with collection societies in more than 20 jurisdictions. New clients wins include SoundCloud and Clear Channel.

Russells Solicitors is well respected for its music practice. Steven Tregear’s clients include Cheryl Cole and Penelope Cruz; Gavin Maude advises Coldplay; Simon Esplen is undertaking charity work on behalf of the Amy Winehouse estate; and joint managing partner Brian Howard represented JK Rowling and Chris Blackwell of Island Records. Other clients include Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. Head of commercial Chris Organ is also recommended.

At Sheridans, Robin Hilton and Jeremy Roberts advise producers, financiers and distributors, including Group M Entertainment and Silver River, and head of film and TV Peter McInerney is advising HBO. The team also represents Sir David Frost, Lorraine Pascale, and new clients CBS and FIFA. James Kay’s clients include Sony Pictures Entertainment and Number 9 Films. On the music side, managing partner Howard Jones represents Sir Paul McCartney and Robbie Williams. Music group head Russell Roberts advises music publishing companies, record companies, artists and performers including dance group Diversity. James Sully acts for Chris Moyles and Rizzle Kicks; Steven Luckman and Michael Thomas advise Pet Shop Boys, N-Dubz, Peter Gabriel, and Thin Lizzy; and Stephen Kempner represents Nero and Avicii. The theatre team recently advised Promenade Productions and Baronet Productions. Computer games expert Alex Chapman advised Mojang and Notch, the developers of Minecraft, and, together with Alex Tutty and Lance Phillips, also acts for Supermassive games. Tahir Basheer advises on digital and convergence matters. John Haggis represents mobile games developer Neon Play. Jack Jones joined from Bird & Bird.

Taylor Wessing LLP’s practice, led by Niri Shanmuganathan, provides ‘high-quality, practical advice on marketing and defamation’, and was substantially strengthened by the hire of George Jeffrey from National Geographic, Vinod Bange from Speechly Bircham LLP, Sarah Needham from Macfarlanes LLP, and Natasha Mason from Paramount Pictures. Shanmuganathan successfully defended Nature (an imprint of Macmillan) in a libel claim brought by the former editor-in-chief of another scientific journal. The corporate team advised A&NN Group on its £53m acquisition of Waterstone’s from HMV. Other clients include Associated Newspapers, Spotify, BWIN Party, ProSiebenSat, Telegraph Media, and Omnicom. The group’s recent work includes advising on the Leveson Inquiry, phone hacking, social media, and content aggregation. The team heads are Tony Ghee (broadcasting); Charles Lloyd (advertising); Graham Hann (gaming and gambling); and ‘intellectual powerhouse’ Timothy Pinto (publishing).

Wiggin LLP’s expertise spans film, TV, music, computer games, digital media, and publishing. Head of litigation Simon Baggs is ‘an excellent adviser’, and represented major film studios in the claim seeking to compel ISPs to block access to Newzbin. Sean James, ‘a leader in his field and a delight to work with’, Shaun Lowde and Jason Chess lead the broadcasting and digital content team. James advised Virgin Media on the disposal of its 50% interest in the UKTV portfolio of channels and, together with Ross Sylvester, advised UKTV on its DTH carriage agreement with BSkyB as well as its airtime sales deal with Channel 4. ‘Smart, agile negotiators’ Charles Moore and Miles Ketley apply their ‘extensive studio experience’ to film and TV production matters, advising BBC Worldwide on 3D productions Life, Africa and Walking with Dinosaurs; Paramount Pictures on World War Z; and DNA Films on Judge Dredd. Caroline Kean’s publishing team advises Egmont UK and Cambridge University Press. The music team, which includes the ‘highly knowledgeable’ Alexander Ross, advised the BPI in the judicial review of copyright protection measures, and counts Decca Music Group and Universal Music among its key clients. The ‘personable, well-connected’ Nav Sunner heads the computer games team, which represents Zattikka and Firefly Studios.

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘diligent, responsive’ group is ‘supported by a worldwide network’. Practice head Steve Holmes, who focuses on transactions, led the successful competitive panel tender for Virgin Media. IP regulatory and disputes lawyer Ben Allgrove, who shows ‘exceptional wisdom, insight and instinct’, represented Meltwater in the Court of Appeal and the Copyright Tribunal in its challenge to the Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA)’s attempts to license specialist news search engines. He has also been advising online cloud video gaming company OnLive on its UK launch. Tom Cassels and Joanna Ludlam advise the BBC Trust, and also act for Turner Broadcasting and Sovereign Films. Duncan Reid-Thomas advises Arqiva on commercial broadcasting contracts.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s ‘commercially pragmatic’ team, which includes Simon Harper and the ‘thorough, responsive and meticulous’ Adam Rose, advises The Guardian on technology and web-related contracts, and the Financial Times Group is another key client. Rose advised China Daily on its UK launch, while Harper advises Peel Media and the PRS. Rose, Simon Clark and Toby Headdon successfully represented the NLA in the High Court in the Meltwater dispute over web licensing models, which has been referred to the Supreme Court.

Bird & Bird’s international media team, led by Matt Dennis, impresses with its ‘customer-driven service and IP expertise’. Corporate mandates included advising blinkx on its $30m acquisition of Burst Media, and Holler Digital on its sale to Publicis. The broadcasting team advises BT Vision and BSkyB. Justin Walkey and Ian Williamson advised Yahoo! on its three-season exclusive deal with the FA Premier League. Felicity Reeves recently advised the European Broadcasting Union. Howard Rubin runs a ‘pre-eminent’ computer games practice, which represents Zynga and Codemasters. ‘Sound, experienced and commercial’ litigator Phil Sherrell joined from Eversheds LLP, and Patrick Charnley arrived from IFPI to strengthen the team, which represented the UK Media Monitoring Association in the Meltwater Copyright Tribunal dispute.

Charles Russell LLP’s ‘impressive, practical and commercial’ team advised ITV on broadcasting and regulatory issues and on Project Tunnel, the sale and purchase of Channel Television Holding by ITV Broadcasting. Duncan Lamont heads the practice, which also includes Mark Moncreiffe and Nick Armstrong, as well as Paul Stone, who advised joint venture YouView on regulatory issues. Lamont represented Noel Gallagher in a dispute with Liam Gallagher. Digital content specialist Vanessa Barnett, who is recommended for ‘great technical knowledge and skills without being overly legalistic’, advised new client Westfield on digital media initiatives. Jason Saiban and the ‘clear-thinking, practical’ Jaclyn Wilkins advised Ncsoft, the MMORPG publisher. Other clients include Channel 4, Nike, social media agency Made by Many, and publisher Seven Digital.

Mark Stephens at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP is acting for various claimants in the News of the World phone-hacking case. Thomson Reuters was a significant client win. Robert Lands advises The Society of Authors and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. Consultant Harvey Kass joined from Associated Newspapers.

Goodman Derrick LLP combines ‘quality expertise with value for money’, and practice head Paul Herbert gives ‘pertinent, clear, practical’ advice. Recent mandates include acting for Sky in a judicial review of the Metropolitan Police regarding a request for information; advising ATVOD; and representing Iranian broadcaster PressTV. Consultant Keith Northrop and Tanya Shillingford are recommended for their film financing and production expertise. Edward Hoare, who joined from Charles Russell LLP, is ‘pragmatic, focused and always accessible’.

Herbert Smith LLP advised longstanding client BSkyB on the expansion of SkyGo services, and on the Zeebox second screen service. Alan Watts and Hayley Brady advised STV Group on Channel 3 networking arrangements with ITV. Other highlights included advising Anschutz Entertainment Group on the £150m refinancing of the O2 Arena, and FilmFlex Movies on expanding its on-demand services. AOL, Google, Sony, Time Warner, and Warner Bros are other major clients. Hannah Wardale is recommended for her ‘prompt advice and market knowledge’, and Paul Silver ‘has the ability to clarify complicated legal concepts’. The ‘highly effective’ Nick Elverston heads the practice, and is recommended for his ‘commercial acumen, industry knowledge and strong relationships’.

Kemp Little LLP adopts ‘a pragmatic, commercial approach’, and has expertise in digital media. Practice head Calum Murray and IP partner Paul Garland now represent LOVEFiLM, following its acquisition by Amazon. Murray also acts for Activision and Ubisoft. Paul O’Hare advised digital media agency AKQA, and Andrew Moseby’s team advised Thomson Reuters on nine acquisitions. The group recruited Glafkos Tombolis from Charles Russell LLP and consultant Rachel Boothroyd from WTS Development.

Music lawyer Cliff Fluet heads Lewis Silkin LLP’s team, which was strengthened by Phil Rymer’s recruitment from Rymer Media Law. Highlights included assisting Blogmusik with its UK launch and Radio 1 DJ mistajam with the creation of a new record label and events company with Ministry of Sound. Other clients include VEVO, Bacardi Music and the Royal Albert Hall. Former professional musician Jonathan Coad is recommended, as is Simon Morrissey, who advises on IP and IT licensing.

SSB advises artists, independent record labels, and production companies in the music industry. Sarah Stennett and ‘excellent lawyer’ Paul Spraggon act for The Prodigy, Adele, Lana Del Rey and Rita Ora.

Simons Muirhead & Burton’s practice spans film, TV, music and publishing. Razwana Akram and James Greenslade advised new client Universal Pictures on A Fantastic Fear of Everything, and Akram and practice head Simon Goldberg acted for Prescience Film Finance and Altus Productions on Better Living Through Chemistry. Music lawyer Charles Law leads the interactive content and digital media practice together with consultant Jonathan Cameron. Clients include online games website Quizzino. The well-respected Martin Soames recently provided pre-publication advice to Random House regarding Alastair Campbell’s diaries, while Goldberg’s clients include Dennis Publishing. Richard Baskind and Richard Day have joined the firm.

Media boutique Swan Turton wins praise for its ‘fast, responsive, informed directions’. Antony Gostyn advised Young Bwark on The Inbetweeners. Head of music and publishing Julian Turton advised Rick Smith and Karl Hyde of Underworld as musical directors of the Olympics opening ceremony. Julian Bentley and Catherine Fehler advised Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, and represented Greensleeves Records in a dispute. Charles Swan ‘gives sage advice on photographers ’ copyright issues’.

Margaret Briffa at IP boutique Briffa advises clients in the film and television industry. Following Silas Brown’s move in-house, the firm recruited Aaron Wood as head of trade marks and brand protection.

Bristows’ practice head Dr Myles Jelf is ‘technically excellent, responsive and insightful’, and advises clients such as Endemol. Mark Brown advises Music Sales Group, Faber and the IFPI on music publishing and copyright. Paul Walsh’s publishing practice was appointed external counsel to the Hearst Corporation, and expanded its work for Guardian News & Media (GNM) with Paul Jordan, who ‘sees the bigger picture and understands commercial drivers’, advising on London Olympics coverage and smartphone app development.

‘First-class negotiator and communicator’ Neil Mohring leads Eversheds LLP’s ‘excellent’ practice, which focuses on international and cross-jurisdictional work. The team, which includes consultant Nicholas Valner, advised Apple Corps on its exploitation of The Beatles’ catalogue; HSBC Private Bank on the securitisation of a music publishing catalogue for a joint venture; and US publisher Spirit Catalogue Holdings on the acquisition of a major music catalogue.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP handles big-ticket, cross-border media deals. Ben Spiers’ team advised EMI on the Universal and Sony ATV deals, and Simon Marchant advised Reed Elsevier, Pearson Media and Financial Times Group on acquisitions. Marchant and Spiers co-head the M&A practice. Anti-trust partner David Aitman is recommended, as is computer games specialist Justin Watts.

Hamlins LLP’s media, marketing and IP practice advises on music, digital broadcast and film rights. Clients include the PRS, PPL, Endemol, Directors UK, McDonald’s, One Media Publishing, and Mind Candy. Practice head Laurence Gilmore successfully represented TVCatchup in the High Court in groundbreaking litigation brought by broadcasters including ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Philip Herbert, Ian Down and Christopher Hutchings are also recommended.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s practice head Peter Watts has ‘a superb understanding of industry, technology and regulation’, and has been defending ITV plc and ITV Network in High Court proceedings brought by STV. Richard Welfare, who adopts ‘a commercial, realistic approach’, advised Nintendo of Europe on the Nintendo 3DS launch and celebrity endorsement agreements with One Direction and The Saturdays. The practice leverages the firm’s international footprint to handle multi-jurisdictional matters for global clients such as Mars and NewsCorp.

The ‘excellent’ Brian Eagles leads Howard Kennedy’s team, which advises on TV and film (including financing), music, theatre, and publishing. He is an executive producer of Silver Ghost; advised on the production and distribution of Wreckers; and acted for Peter Schaufuss Ballet Company on Romeo and Juliet. Other clients include Old Vic Productions, Biscuit Pictures, and literary agency Alexandra Cann Associates. Keith Lassman is recommended.

Linklaters LLP works closely with global media clients on multi-jurisdictional matters, recently representing Japanese company Sanrio, creator of Hello Kitty, on its £25m acquisition of Mr. Men Limited. Other work included advising News Corporation’s independent Management and Standards Committee, chaired by Lord Grabiner, on investigations and inquiries into the News of the World phone-hacking case. The team advised Viacom on the novation of contracts with Chorion for two TV series based on the Beatrix Potter books. Roger Barron heads the team, which also includes Marly Didizian.

Marriott Harrison LLP’s music practice is advising the Nike Foundation on media projects in central Africa; One Media Company on catalogue acquisition; and new client Maximum Artists on various matters. The film and TV group, meanwhile, advised Carnaby Films on The Wee Man, and beneficiaries of the late Graham Chapman of Monty Python on the international co-production of a movie based on A Liar’s Autobiography. Practice head Tony Morris has ‘excellent knowledge and contacts’. Jonathan Pearce’s TV clients include Digital Rights Group.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s cross-practice team advised Hachette on its acquisition of the Enid Blyton estate (excluding the Noddy series) from Chorion. Other highlights included representing EOne in its exclusive five-year deal with LOVEFiLM. Gillian Sproul advises Macmillan on e-books, and anti-trust and competition issues. Music lawyer Miles Robinson represents EMI and new client Virgin Media. Sarah Byrt heads the practice.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s six-partner publishing practice, led by Susan Biddle, was strengthened by the firm’s merger with McGrigors LLP and the lateral hire of Marc Dautlich from Olswang, Trevor Watkins from Clarke Willmott LLP, Helyn Mensah from Three New Square, and Danvers Baillieu from Winston & Strawn London. Head of IP Kim Walker and his ‘approachable, professional’ team are commended for their ability to do ‘a good, thorough job in a fraught atmosphere’. They advised the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on News Corporation’s bid for BskyB, and the London School of Economics on academic journal publishing. Iain Connor handles contentious work for Getty Images and GNM. The ‘calm, measured’ Jon Fell, who is based in Birmingham, is also singled out for praise.

Jeremy Summers heads Pitmans LLP’s media practice, Pitmans SK Sport and Entertainment LLP. He represented Live Nation before the ECJ regarding the MONSTERS OF ROCK trade mark, and also represents Nullarbor Productions, the producer of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Nigel Dewar Gibb, who advised on Escape to New York, a new festival in The Hamptons, and Sally Britton were promoted to partner.

SNR Denton’s practice head Ingrid Silver is noted for her ‘technical knowledge and creative ideas’. Together with Stephen Ridgway, she advised Argos on its launch of Argos TV. Silver, Jeremy Cohen and Alex Haffner advised mobile transactional network mBlox on regulatory matters; and Adrian Barr-Smith advised the England and Wales Cricket Board on UK media and broadcast rights. Anthony Trenton represented A & E Television Networks and AETN UK in a dispute with Discovery Communications Europe. New client wins include Scripps.

Speechly Bircham LLP’s Nicholas Tall and Michelle Lewiston advise Eaglemoss Publishing on content licensing from major US film studios. Tall and Robert Bond advised Touch Press on collaborative arrangements and iPad apps, notably for The Waste Land. Coolabi is a longstanding client. Consultant David Wills handles theatre-related matters, and acts for Trevor Nunn. Team head Alexander Carter-Silk’s clients include Elle Macpherson.

‘First-class negotiator’ Richard Brown at Travers Smith LLP is ‘a good person to have in your corner’. The ‘practical, commercial’ team advised longstanding client talkSPORT on its licensing arrangements with SiriusXM; assisted Exponent with its £121m acquisition of a portfolio of BBC magazine titles, including Radio Times and Gardens Illustrated; and advised joint venture YouView on matters relating to its launch. Head of commercial Tom Purton led advice to Pinewood Shepperton and TSL Education. The team is also advising the Ambassador Theatre Group on its diversification into cinema.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges’ transactions-oriented practice shows ‘cutting-edge knowledge and keen commercial sense’, and is well supported by colleagues in the US. Mark Soundy advised Apax Partners and HiT Entertainment on the $680m sale of HiT Entertaiment to Matte; and acted for GMT Communications Partners on its £39m investment in MeetingZone, its acquisition of the Karnov Group, and its $350m sale of Bigpoint. Barry Fishley advised Mubadala Development Company PJSC as a member of a consortium that agreed to purchase EMI Group’s music publishing operations for $2.2bn.

Allen & Overy LLP regularly assists international clients in high-end corporate transactions, regulatory matters and disputes, and notably advised News Corporation in the Leveson Inquiry and numerous corporate and anti-trust matters, with Simon Toms acting as interim general counsel at News International. Antonio Bavasso is representing BSkyB in the FA Premier League case concerning the use of foreign decoder cards by UK commercial establishments. Litigator Neville Cordell represented eBay before the ECJ. Other clients include Twitter, Twentieth Century Fox, and Thomson Reuters.

Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP’s team works closely with the firm’s IP and telecoms practices, handling high-end work for clients including Random House and Viacom. It is also representing the estate of Michael Jackson. Richard Dickinson advised the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE) on the UK launch of the Ultra Violet digital content distribution system. Litigator Ian Kirby heads the team.

Media boutique Aslan Charles Kousetta LLP advises production companies on clearance and content issues. Practice head Hakan Kousetta specialises in international film production and financing. Susan Aslan and Sue Charles handle media rights disputes.

Sole practitioner Bernard Nyman at B M Nyman & Co advises authors and publishers on publishing matters, handling libel reading and advising on contracts for journals, books and films, and confidentiality, representation and distribution agreements.

Barry Shaw specialises in advising on West End productions.

Clifford Chance’s multi-disciplinary team, led by Daniel Sandelson, advises global broadcasters and corporate media clients on big-ticket M&A and joint ventures. Consultant Michael Smyth handles media litigation, and anti-trust partner Jenine Hulsmann advises on telecoms and online media issues.

At Collins Long, Bollywood expert Simon Long advises composers, new bands and solo artists, and counts A R Rahman as a longstanding client. James Collins handles media disputes, and Angela Sadler advises media investment company Shamrock Solutions.

Litigator Steven Heffer, who heads Collyer Bristow LLP’s 16-lawyer team, is representing more than 50 claimants in the News of the World phone-hacking case. Music lawyer Howard Ricklow is advising composer David Arnold in relation to the London Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. The team represents musicians, actors and artists, recently advising on an exhibition by Korean photographer Ahae.

Irving David at DWFM Beckman advises on a range of media and entertainment matters, including ballet, film and publishing.

Goldkorn Mathias Gentle Page’s David Gentle and Bob Page represent artists and record companies in contractual matters and disputes.

Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP’s clients include artist management company Three Six Zero Group, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, and EMI. Music lawyer and practice head Stephen Gare works closely with the firm’s US offices.

Lawrence Graham LLP’s head of commerce and technology Jonathan Riley advises specialist technology companies, and is noted for his digital marketing and publishing expertise.

At Lea & Company, consultant Stephen Lea advises recording artists and producers.

Magrath LLP’s Jeremy Hershkorn handles media litigation, and consultant Alexis Grower advises producers and recording artists including Calvin Harris and John Lydon. Nick Goldstone joined Davenport Lyons.

Chris Coulter heads Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP’s team, which is assisting Odeon & UCI Cinemas with its conversion to digital projection. Jonathan Wheeler, who assists French cinema operator Gaumont Pathé with digital issues, advised Universal Music, Universal Pictures, Macmillan, Random House, Sony BMG, EMI Records and Cinram Logistics on the administrations of retailers EUK Ltd/Woolworths and Zavvi.

Mike Knapper and his ‘proactive, innovative’ team at Norton Rose LLP handle corporate media finance deals, with Chris Pearson advising Trinity Mirror and Ian Lopez advising Future and United Business Media. Peter Scott and Mark Simpson handle regulatory matters. Arqiva is a key client. IP litigator Jonathan Ball has ‘a strong ability to understand clients ’ needs’.

Onside Law Limited provides ‘sound, practical advice’ to sports broadcasting clients including horseracing channel At The Races, and advised Engage Sports Media on the management buyout of Endemol Sport’s UK sports media business. Celebrity clients include Michael Parkinson and Heston Blumenthal. Simon Thorp, Chris Walsh, Oliver Hunt and practice head Jamie Singer provide ‘genuine added value’.

At IP and litigation boutique Redd, Simon Chalkley advises games developers and publishers on software licensing and development, trade marks, and online gaming. The firm hired copyright expert Anna Carboni from Powell Gilbert LLP, and Alex Watt from Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP.

William Holder’s team at SJ Berwin LLP shows ‘a special combination of legal skills and commercial awareness’. Holder and Rob Day advised Universal Music Group on its £1.2bn acquisition of EMI’s recorded music division, and Stephen Kon and Lesley Farrell advised the BBC and BBC Worldwide on various matters, notably including the sale of its magazine business. David Rose is representing BSkyB in a trade mark dispute.

Schillings handles image rights, privacy and reputation matters for recording artists and celebrities. Litigator John Kelly specialises in protecting reputations. Jenny Afia heads the talent team.

At Smiths-Law LLP, Liam McNeive advises online and mobile commerce operator mBlox, mobile game platform Antix Labs, and behavioural advertising providers Crimson Tangerine and Tribal Fusion. Andrew Lewis advises Universal Music Group companies.

Sound Advice (Legal) LLP represents recording artists, including Chase and Status, and music producers such as Stargate. Robert Horsfall and Sonia Diwan are recommended. Alan Lander joined Bray & Krais, Solicitors.

Weightmans LLP’s Liverpool-based team of John Schorah and Sean Crotty advises computer games companies, and acted for Novarama Technology on a major software development agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe regarding a major PSP title. Other key clients include Relentless Software.

Bindmans LLP’s practice head Tamsin Allen co-ordinated the group of claimants bringing legal action against News Group Newspapers for phone hacking, and has successfully represented numerous high-profile claimants. She is also assisting the Leveson Inquiry.

Simon Stokes’ publishing team at Blake Lapthorn advises on apps and digital media. Clients include the Antique Trade Gazette, children’s publisher Noisy Crow, and Pavilion Publishing. Stokes and Oxford-based Joss Saunders advise publishers on ebooks. Southampton-based commercial litigator Elaine Heywood advised the International Institute of Strategic Studies.

Bolt Burdon’s Mike Shepherd is an ‘excellent, knowledgeable’ litigator, and is a qualified New York attorney. His celebrity clients include Taio Cruz. Chris Phillips advises musicians and production companies.

Carter-Ruck’s six-partner publishing team advises on trade mark and copyright issues, and contract disputes. Practice head Guy Martin and Cameron Doley recently successfully represented Incisive Media. Senior partner Andrew Stephenson undertakes pre-publication review work; Ruth Collard handles contentious and non-contentious matters; and Claire Gill advises publishers and authors. Isabel Hudson was promoted to partner.

Covington & Burling LLP advised multi-screen software innovator SeaChange International on the sale of On Demand Group to Avail-TVN. Practice head Lisa Peets is advising US sports leagues on the implications of the Karen Murphy Premier League case. Jane Anthony is particularly strong on content licensing deals. Michael Kingston advises sports broadcasters on internet monitoring. Managing partner Louise Nash advised Armani on its collaboration with Rihanna.

Solicitor-advocate Dean Dunham at Debello Law advises record labels, acts, agents and celebrities, among them BlueBlack Hussar Records, Blue, Bucks Fizz and Adam Ant.

Fladgate LLP’s ‘pragmatic and responsive’ practice head Lawrence Abramson represented News International in a dispute with games company Double G Communications, and is advising the producer of Monty Python and the Holy Grail in a dispute over proceeds from Spamalot. Eddie Powell is acting for Devilfish, and David Robinson advised social networking site Sports International on its sale to Convers Sports Initiatives.

Plymouth-based Chris Worrell heads the practice at Foot Anstey. He assisted Silvergate Media with its acquisition of literary rights to The World of Beatrix Potter, and advised UBM on divesting The Publican and Music Week. Exeter-based Tony Jaffa handles editorial and regulatory matters. Anna Bateman joined from Herbert Smith LLP, and is based in Bristol.

Gateley hired Lisa Logan from CANDEY LLP to establish a media and entertainment practice within Simon Pigden’s ‘highly talented’ TMT group. Logan, who ‘understands pressures and deadlines’, has recently advised The Elf Factory, Pulse Films and TV distributor Electric Sky.

HKH Kenwright & Cox’s senior partner Khurram Mian is ‘a good listener’ who provides ‘excellent advice and value for money’. Clients include Artifice Media, 1883 Media, and X Events.

IP and digital media boutique Hansel Henson LLP advises games publisher, Babuki, as well as Orion TV and the Francis Frith Collection of digital imagery. Tom Henson and David Hansel are recommended.

Latham & Watkins LLP handles big-ticket music, film and broadcasting matters, and advises on content protection and licensing. Luke Grubb represented Mattel in its $680m acquisition of HiT Entertainment, and privacy specialist Gail Crawford recently advised Trion Worlds and MyLife. New clients include Time Warner.

At M Law, practice head Peter Coles was production counsel to Generator Entertainment for Keith Lemon – the Film: In Glorious Flat 2D. The team represents Hachette on publishing matters, and music clients include Spandau Ballet. Oliver Fetiveau, Matthew Higdon and Victoria Russell are recommended.

At Macfarlanes LLP, Jeremy Courtenay-Stamp’s team advises Informa, Really Useful Group, and new client Albion London. Rupert Casey advised Heineken International on the Star Player iPhone app.

Manches LLP’s Alex Fox advises the British Medical Association on its publications, and represents certain celebrities in the News of the World phone-hacking case.

Rubinstein Phillips Lewis LLP’s John Rubinstein advises clients in music, publishing and art, and secured the IP rights in Michael Morpurgo’s film Private Peaceful.

Giles Dennison at Simmons & Simmons LLP advised HMV on the £53m sale of Waterstone’s to A&NN Capital Fund Management. Practice head Andrew McMillan advised NBC Universal, and litigator David Stone is representing Fox Entertainment in a dispute with The Glee Club in Birmingham. Alexander Brown represents TiVo and new client Virgin Media.

Slaughter and May’s cross-practice team handles big-ticket transactions, recently advising Aegis Group on its sale of Synovate, and Telegraph Media Group on News Corporation’s proposed acquisition of a majority shareholding in BSkyB. The firm is also handling certain matters regarding the Leveson Inquiry. IP partner Rob Sumroy is advising Prudential on Olympic hospitality. Jeff Twentyman heads the team.

Robert Wegenek’s team at Squire Sanders LLP advises advertising agencies on television campaigns, and acts for Live Nation. Nessa McGill advises on film and TV production.

Wallace LLP’s ‘robust, commercial advice makes a refreshing change’. John Woodhouse advises nightclub impresario Piers Adams, Wayne Hemmingway, Models 1, and Lovebox. Benjamin James joined from Bircham Dyson Bell LLP, while Matthew Pryke has moved in-house.

At DLA Piper UK LLP, Chris Hanson and his team ‘combine international corporate experience with media expertise’, and advise film studios and producers (such as Paramount Pictures, FremantleMedia and Universal) and banks (such as Barclays, HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Comerica Bank). The London team worked with the firm’s Dubai office on the financing of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and with its Hungarian office on In the Land of Blood and Honey. Clients appreciate Michael Ridley’s ‘industry knowledge and pragmatism’, and Nick Fitzpatrick and Philip Butler also attract praise. The group’s capabilities were enhanced by the recruitment of online gaming experts Hilary Stewart-Jones and Stephen Ketteley from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

Davenport Lyons’ Sam Tatton-Brown and his team assisted Piccadilly Pictures with equity investments in The Numbers Station, and Richard Moxon advised on Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) finance for Resistance. Fraser Bloom advised DCM Productions on its equity investment in Quartet.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s cross-departmental practice, which is led by Tim Johnson, has particular strength in media asset financing. Johnson, Barry Smith and recently promoted partner Kami Naghdi represent film financiers and production companies, notably Natixis Coficine, Ingenious Media and Lionsgate Films. Tax specialist Derek Hill advises Warner Bros. The team recently assisted with the establishment of Swarovski Entertainment, and advised Rocket Pictures on the sequel to Gnomeo & Juliet.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP’s six-partner group handles film, TV, games, music, publishing and theatre finance. Practice head Abigail Payne is ‘skilled at piecing together complex co-production finance for UK independent films’. She and Jonathan Berger advised Quickfire Films on financing The Samaritan and Blood. Payne advised Coutts & Co on financing Tilly and Friends, the children’s animated TV series. Neil Adleman and recently promoted partner Charles Leveque advised Fiery Dragons on co-production arrangements for new commercial theatre productions. Mark Phillips and new partner Alan Moss are advising Penguin and Frederick Warne on joint venture arrangements following Chorion’s sale of rights to The World of Beatrix Potter.

At Lee & Thompson LLP, Reno Antoniades represented Revolution Films, and assisted in structuring the finance for independent feature film 360. Christos Michaels advised STUDIOCANAL on The Dinosaur Project. Nicki Parfitt advised on production finance for Good Vibrations, including a complex EIS structure to secure investment from private investors. Richard Lever advises on TV financing.

Olswang’s ‘technical, responsive and pragmatic’ team ‘gets the deal done’. The ‘excellent, approachable’ Charles Kerrigan heads the six-partner practice, which advises lenders – including some 20 UK banks – and borrowers. Kerrigan and recently promoted partner Ruth Marken advised Shine on its sale to News Corporation; and Marken advised Chrysalis on complex securitisation matters following its sale. Marquee clients include Bank of Ireland, Creston and M&C Saatchi, and new clients include Lloyds Banking Group and Clydesdale Bank. Jane Innes-Jones is ‘excellent at pushing a deal through to the finish line’, and Jacqueline Hurt is recommended for her experience in structuring co-productions.

Reed Smith’s lawyers ‘balance attention to detail with a superior grasp of the bigger picture’, and have longstanding experience and recognised expertise in representing film financiers. Film production financing specialist Richard Philipps shows ‘genuine insight and understanding of the business’, and advises clients such as Natixis Coficine. Michael Maxtone-Smith assisted Coutts & Co with various matters including financing arrangements for films such as A Fantastic Fear of Everything; refinancing films financed by Aegis; and a revolving credit facility to DSK Ventures.

At Sheridans, the ‘sensible, practical’ James Kay and his team advised Octopus Investments on EIS and VCT media investments in 3AM Music and Quickfire Films. Other key clients include Prescience and the BFI. Jeremy Roberts and Robin Hilton advised GroupM Entertainment on TV series for Channel 5 and ITV. Alex Chapman and Tahir Basheer are advising interactive entertainment companies Mojang, Six to Start and Slightly Mad Studios on alternative investment models including crowd funding and ‘pay to finish’. Russell Roberts advises banks and entertainment companies on music rights transactions.

Wiggin LLP’s film and TV financing team acts for borrowers and lenders, including film funds Ingenious Media and Silver Reel, and recently advised Aver Media on a loan facility to the producers of Shame. Other clients include banks (such as Coutts & Co, Bank Leumi, Bank of Ireland and Union Bank of California), distributors (Lionsgate and Constantin) and independent producers (Blueprint, DNA Films and Trademark Films). The ‘calm, reasoned’ David Quli, who is ‘great at finding practical solutions’, co-heads the practice with the ‘hardworking, competent’ Neil Gillard. Charles Moore’s clients include US studios, mini-majors and independent producers. Daniel Whybrew is ‘personable, eager, knowledgeable and timely’. Hannah Wylie joined from Stephenson Harwood.

At media and entertainment boutique Aslan Charles Kousetta LLP, Hakan Kousetta is well respected for his film financing advice to funding parties, including private investors and banks.

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP’s media practice head Sean Egan assists with the development and financing of film projects, notably the crowd-funded The Age of Stupid, through subsidy and quasi-governmental sources. New clients include Future Shorts and ROTA.

Consultant Keith Northrop at Goodman Derrick LLP advises Coutts & Co on TV financing for the detective series DCI Banks, and John Pilger’s documentary Utopia. Other work includes assisting Sprout, the production company established by Stephen Fry and Sandi Toksvig, with financing Doors Open. Tanya Shillingford advises on EIS structuring.

Brian Eagles’ team at Howard Kennedy helped Goldcrest Media Group to raise EIS finance for new film companies, and assisted with capital raising for Ingenious Entertainment VCT 1 and 2, and Edge Performance VCT.

At Linklaters LLP, Marly Didizian and practice head Roger Barron advise international media clients, including recently representing RTL in cross-border negotiations in India and Russia, and advising Viacom on the novation of its contracts with Chorion regarding two TV series based on Beatrix Potter books.

Paul Gardner, head of Osborne Clarke’s interactive entertainment team, advised on the establishment of two games funds for Fund4Games and Standfast Vision; advised game developer Two Way Media on the financing of various mobile and interactive TV games; and advised Ukie, the trade association for UK interactive entertainment publishers, on an initiative to facilitate crowdfunding in the UK.

Simons Muirhead & Burton’s Razwana Akram and James Greenslade advised Universal Pictures on A Fantastic Fear of Everything. Akram and Simon Goldberg advised Prescience Film Finance and Altus Productions on Better Living Through Chemistry. Richard Baskind joined the firm.

Liverpool-based John Schorah heads the team at Weightmans LLP, and advised AXM Venture Capital, which provides flexible equity packages for development and expansion funding, on the establishment of the £15m North West Fund for Digital & Creative.

Boult Wade Tennant’s team ‘exhibits strong business insight and exceptionally strong legal skills’, and ‘produces work of the highest quality’. Dutch firm Irdeto BV was a new client win, joining other clients including Boeing, Kraft Foods, Mologics, and Coba Plastics. Jason Pelly is ‘very knowledgeable’, and Matthew Spencer is also recommended. Howard Sands, a member of the hi-tech and electrical group, was promoted to the partnership in 2011. Hsu Min Chung joined Harrison Goddard Foote HGF.

Carpmaels & Ransford provides ‘a superior level of service’, and recently represented Johnson & Johnson in opposition proceedings. Biotechnology head Hugh Goodfellow is advising Neurim Pharmaceuticals in a case referred to the European Court of Justice relating to supplementary protection certificates. Paul Howard leads the chemistry and pharmaceutical team, whose key clients include Novartis and Roche. Richard Jackson’s engineering and IT team acts for Boeing and Panasonic. Chris Tunstall and John Brunner have ‘extensive experience’.

D Young & Co LLP’s ‘excellent’, 36-attorney team is appreciated for its ‘detailed preparation and minute attention to detail’. Clients include DuPont, BAA, Lush, GlaxoSmithKline, Sony, and the Wellcome Trust. Kirk Gallagher, in the biotechnology, chemistry and pharmaceuticals group, has recently represented Teva Pharmaceuticals in an EPO opposition against a European patent held by AstraZeneca. The firm recently gained a number of universities and university spin-outs as clients. Aylsa Williams, David Alcock and Charles Harding are recommended. Garreth Duncan, Nicholas Malden and Connor McConchie were recently promoted to the partnership.

Dehns’ clients include Honda, TomTom, Pfizer, SanDisk, Isis Innovation, Warwick University, and Oslo University. Kerry Tomlinson, who leads the engineering team, handles a significant amount of European prosecution and opposition work. Head of biotechnology Hanna Dzieglewska advises a number of Scandinavian clients, and Neil Campbell in the chemical team has represented several clients in opposition and appeal hearings. Julian Cockbain retired.

Gill Jennings & Every LLP’s 13-partner team advises on cross-border mandates for a number of non-UK clients. New client wins in 2011 included Nitto Denko Corporation, ECO-Beta and Megaplast. Robert Perry, a ‘doyen in the patent agent world’, advised Acacia Pharma on IP and due diligence, and ‘leading light’ Peter Finnie provided strategic IP advice to Vernande Technology. ‘One to watch’, Arnie Clark achieved a patent revocation for Teva before the EPO. John Jappy and Lucy Samuels are also recommended.

‘First-class’ firm J A Kemp is ‘one of the most accomplished providers of patent advice in the UK’. The ‘exceptionally good’ group acts for clients including Brother Industries, Mars Inc and Toyota. Head of biotech Geoff Woods is ‘a leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology patent agent’. John Benson heads the chemistry team, and Mike Nicholls leads the electronics and engineering group. Ravi Srinivasan, who shows ‘in-depth expertise’, recently acted for Almirall in defending a validity case, and acted in infringement proceedings in the Belgian courts. ‘High flier’ Lee Chapman was promoted to the partnership.

‘At the top of its profession’, Kilburn & Strode is appreciated for its ‘commercial, responsive, informed and knowledgeable advice’. Head of the IT, electronics and physics group Peter Hale ‘picks up ideas quickly’. He acted for Medtronic in prosecuting patent applications at the EPO. The ‘proactive’ Jim Miller manages Samsonite’s patent portfolio, and is recommended along with the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Nick Bassil, and Gwilym Roberts, who is ‘very good on patent strategy, portfolio management and lateral thinking’. Alexander Korenberg, Jennifer Harris and Alison Care were promoted to the partnership.

Marks & Clerk LLP’s ten-office practice is appreciated for its ‘strength in depth’. David Ward, who specialises in food technologies, and Mark Kenrick, a specialist in patent matters for computer-implemented inventions, are valued for their ‘broad knowledge’. Clients include BigDNA, Cellartis, Tendeka Group, and the University of Strathclyde. In 2011, Gareth Williams and new partner Barbara Fleck successfully defended a European patent at oral proceedings in Munich.

Mewburn Ellis LLP’s ‘excellent’ attorneys show ‘a breadth and depth of technical understanding’. The firm represents various global clients before the EPO and the UK IPO, and is valued for its ‘client focus and scientific knowledge’. Highlights in 2011 included representing Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in a successful opposition, and defending a European patent held by Esoterix. The firm continues to manage portfolios of clients including Genentech, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Spirogen, and Lewmar.

Nottingham-based Potter Clarkson LLP advised GlaxoSmithKline on continuing prosecution of supplementary protection certificates for vaccine products. Other highlights for the 44-strong team included defending two contested patents held by AstraZeneca, and advising Stretchline Holdings on global patent protection and enforcement strategy.

‘One of the top firms’, Reddie & Grose LLP is ‘efficient in all respects’, and provides an ‘excellent’ overall service. Clients for portfolio management include ICAP, Metalysis and CBT Development. Helen Wakerley ‘knows her stuff’, and continues to advise on the Verenium biofuels enzyme product portfolio following its acquisition by BP. Alan Bates and Gillian Taylor were promoted to the partnership.

Based in London and Northampton, A A Thornton & Co is ‘a very good firm’ for chemical, mechanical and electronics patents, and provides ‘well-considered’ analysis. Craig Turner, in the chemical team, is ‘very persuasive in getting examiners to allow patents in difficult cases’. Mike Jennings, Adrian Bennett and the ‘very prompt’ Emily Cottrill are recommended.

Abel & Imray provides ‘excellent’ advice, particularly in the areas of life sciences, electronics and communications, aerospace, defence, and industrial chemistry. It represents numerous overseas clients, and has focused on broadening its presence in China, where clients include China International Marine Containers. Jim Denness and associate Matthew Fletcher provide ‘sound and timely legal advice’.

EIP bolstered its ranks with four new partners in 2011: litigator Gary Moss, who joined from McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP and heads the newly created legal department; Darren Smyth, who joined from Marks & Clerk LLP to head the new elements department; Adam Flint, a specialist in telecommunications and software; and Neil Condon, in the digital team. New clients include Rockstar and Swansea University. The firm has recently opened an office in Leeds.

The ‘excellent’ team at Harrison Goddard Foote HGF provides ‘well-reasoned’ advice, and has ‘good insight into the relevant markets’. It recently advised Lonza on an opposition. Richard Williams is ‘superb’; Claire Irvine is ‘a fantastic patent lawyer’; and Matt Dixon shows ‘in-depth knowledge of the patent business’. Tony Chalk and attorney Jennifer Uno are also recommended.

Mathys & Squire LLP shows ‘a high level of understanding’ of clients’ needs and portfolios. Ilya Kazi heads the IT, electronics and engineering team. Harvey Adams heads the life sciences and chemistry team, in which Martin MacLean is also recommended. Jane Evenson and Toby Simpson were recently promoted to the partnership, and of counsel Simon Eddowes joined from W P Thompson & Co.

RGC Jenkins & Co in 2011 advised on a variety of patent portfolios and oppositions, and also on post-grant amendments. Clients include Inmarsat and BSkyB. David Musker has ‘extraordinary knowledge, creativity and attention to detail’.

Venner Shipley LLP is appreciated for its ‘exceptionally strong scientific, technical, patent and legal skills’. Timothy Jump, who heads the chemical and life sciences group, is ‘a skilled orator’, and recently acted in a three-day opposition hearing. The ‘exceptionally experienced’ Matthew Read leads the electronics and software group, with ‘excellent practitioner’ Ian Grey leading the mechanical and designs team. Sian Gill has ‘an insightful understanding of the pharmaceutical industry’, and Paul Derry has ‘extensive technical knowledge’. Anton Hutter was recently promoted to partner, and senior associate Tim Russell joined from D Young & Co LLP.

Withers & Rogers fields a ‘commercially aware’, ‘dedicated and knowledgeable’ team. Recommended individuals include John-Paul Rooney, who rejoined the firm in Sheffield; Paul Foot; James Gray; Adrian Chettle; and David McWilliams.

Ablett & Stebbing’s practice spans portfolio management, IP audit work, audit strategy and contentious matters. Key clients include TDK Lambda, Caterpillar and Kontrakt. The engineering and mechanical team has been particularly active in green technology.

Barker Brettell, which operates from its head office in Birmingham and two other offices in London and Southampton, provides ‘clear, concise and extremely useful’ advice. In 2011, the firm secured new work from NHS South East, and acted for Bell Helicopter on its European patent prosecution portfolio. The physical sciences team is headed by Cilla Makovski, who is appreciated for her ‘reliability, accuracy and availability’. Lucy Trueman heads the life sciences and chemistry team.

Forresters advises clients across the sports and leisure, music, retail, pharmaceutical, automotive and engineering sectors. In 2011 it defended various oppositions, achieved the granting of new patents, and attended oral proceedings before the EPO. Jon Gowshall is the managing partner. David Lucking retired.

Ipulse recently advised on an international patent strategy, including co-ordinating the defence against action by a patent troll, and conducted European opposition proceedings. Attorney Colm Murphy is highlighted for his ‘excellent advice and knowledge’. Practice head Justin Hill is ‘a master at explaining complex patent, legal and technical issues’.

With ‘the resources to ensure timely delivery’, Keltie’s ‘thorough and diligent’ team recently gained Google as a new client, advising it on filing and portfolio development matters, while other clients include Accenture, BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover Group, and Red Bull Racing. Joanne Hopley, Sean Cummings and Jakob Bumke are ‘first class’, Dudley Hawkins is ‘professional’, and David Keltie is ‘a doyen of patent attorneys’.

Olswang’s team of in-house patent attorneys provides ‘business-focused, practical advice’, and is led by Robert Stephen, who is ‘outstanding’ for contentious work. The team has continued to draft and prosecute patents for Cambridge Silicon Radio, and also acts for the BBC, the Wellcome Trust and Vectura.

Wilson Gunn has a strong focus on patent prosecution, and recently achieved a patent amendment for Clear Edge Group following opposition proceedings. Other clients include Bentley Motors, 2ergo and Hubbell. James Robey provides ‘straightforward advice’.

Appleyard Lees provides a full-service offering. Bob Pidgeon is ‘a truly outstanding client management attorney’.

Avidity IP (previously HLBBshaw, before a rebranding) operates in ‘an expedient and professional manner’. In 2011, the firm obtained the revocation of a patent for Affymetrix. Malcolm Lawrence, Alex Turnbull, Richard Bizley and Christopher Moore are recommended. *Christopher Moore is now with Harrison Goddard Foote HGF .

Beck Greener’s attorneys have expertise in biotechnology, chemistry, engineering and physics. The firm advises on patent prosecution, maintenance and enforcement.

Keith Beresford heads the team at Beresford & Co.

Chapman Molony counts Quanta, CoomScope and the University of Florida among its new clients, and continues to file patent applications for Haemair and Microsulis Medical. Helga Chapman and Victoria Pugsley are recommended.

Elkington and Fife LLP has offices in London and Kent, and acts for clients including Isis, Kobe Steel, and Procter & Gamble. Richard Gillard has ‘particular strength in quickly understanding complex and specialised issues’. Richard Cooke has been promoted to the partnership.

Urquhart-Dykes & Lord LLP is ‘responsive, knowledgeable and commercial’, and its advice ‘can always be relied upon’. The firm continues to represent longstanding client Diageo on portfolio management, filing, prosecution and clearance searches. Mark Davies is recommended.

Cleveland represents clients before the UK IPO and the EPO.

The ‘excellent’ Scott & York Intellectual Property Law has a strong focus on telecoms, and represented new client Rockstar in oral proceedings at the EPO. Alasdair Kennington is ‘technically very strong’, and Sophie Maughan is also recommended.

The ‘very good’ team at W P Thompson & Co advised a major IP procurement client in a trade sale to another US corporation. Julian Potter shows ‘energy’ and ‘tenacity’, and Tom Brand is ‘very knowledgeable’.

‘Exemplary’ firm Boult Wade Tennant is ‘first rate in all respects’: ‘fast, pragmatic and very good value’. The 15-strong team continued to represent Group Lotus in its dispute over the Team Lotus brand. It is also acting for Scooters India in a dispute over the Lambretta trade mark. Other clients include The All England Lawn Tennis Club, The Queen’s Club, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Endemol. Tony Pluckrose is ‘super-bright, judicious and a total team player’; Emma Pitcher is ‘excellent’, ‘very prompt and client oriented’; Felicity Hide is ‘pragmatic and strategic’; and Catherine Wolfe is also recommended.

Carpmaels & Ransford’s ‘extremely knowledgeable’ team is ‘very efficient’, and provides ‘relevant, succinct and extremely good’ advice. Clients include Jeff Banks, Total, Godolphin and Great Ormond Street Hospital, along with Bear Grylls, a recent win. Keith Howick and senior associate Roger Lush provide ‘excellent advice’.

D Young & Co LLP’s ‘overall level of service is excellent’, and its knowledge and response times are of the ‘highest calibre’. Helen Cawley, who was promoted to the partnership in 2011, acted for the Feelgood Drinks Company in opposition proceedings. Other clients include Jo Loves, Renault, Esso, Ferrari and LVMH Fashion Group, along with new gains Adele and The Saturdays. Gillian Deas is ‘extremely professional’.

J A Kemp’s ‘top-notch’ group provides ‘uniformly good service’, and has a ‘thoughtful and practical’ approach. Trade mark practice head James Fish is ‘extremely resourceful’, and ‘excellent in transactional and litigation matters’. Fish is particularly strong in the pharmaceutical, sport and wine industries. Clients include Reebok, Mitsubishi, and lastminute.com, as well as recent win Twycross Zoo. Tom Albertini was promoted to the partnership in April 2012, and Ben Mooneapillay joined from Fry Heath & Spence.

Kilburn & Strode’s team is ‘very knowledgeable, informative and speedy’, and provides ‘an excellent level of service’. The firm was appointed as worldwide counsel to the Renaissance Group, and assisted Celtic Pharma Holdings in filing applications for the Pro Bono Bio mark. New clients include Bloomsbury Publishing and Netflix. Practice head Carollanne Lindley is ‘proactive’ and ‘technically astute’, and ‘provides considered, highly commercial and creative advice’.

Marks & Clerk LLP, which operates from nine offices nationally, acts for clients across the retail, food and beverages, financial services, charity, fashion, and healthcare sectors. Clients include Safehouse Habitats and BigDNA. Aidan Clarke is ‘very helpful’, and Esther Gottschalk, who was recently promoted to the partnership, is also recommended. The team is ‘willing to spend time at short notice to discuss individual cases’.

Nottingham-based Potter Clarkson LLP is ‘amazingly helpful’ and ‘very good’. The team, co-led by John Peacock and Sanjay Kapur, recently advised Vision Express on the maintenance of trade mark registrations, the filing of new applications, oppositions, and global IP protection, and attracted new clients including the Hearst Corporation, Mail Workshop and 1st Call 24/7.

Stephen James leads the team at RGC Jenkins & Co, which is highlighted for its ‘quality and value for money’. It is acting for Nestlé in an ongoing opposition. Angela Fox and Katie Cameron were recently promoted to the partnership.

Cleveland advises on portfolio management, mark clearance and brand protection. Clients include Allbright.

Dehns advised Apple on trade marks and unfair advantage issues, and also represented Research in Motion in opposition proceedings. Other clients include Playboy, Jasper Conran and Honda. Roberto Calamita heads the team.

‘Proactive and responsive’ firm Forresters provides ‘exceptional’ service. The team, operating from three UK offices, advises on the establishment, use, registration and maintenance of trade marks. Steve Lane is ‘a deeply impressive individual’.

Gill Jennings & Every LLP’s ‘excellent’ group continues to advise clients including Hasbro, World Wrestling Entertainment and Mastercard. The firm was also recently appointed as EU counsel to Under Armour, and is advising new client Premier Foods on all aspects of its portfolio. Rowena Price and Alasdair MacQuarrie provide ‘a very personal and intelligent approach, and can be relied upon’. Philip Harris joined Walker Morris.

A ‘first-rate service provider’, Harrison Goddard Foote HGF fields a seven-partner team which advises clients in the electronics, pharmaceutical, retail, fashion, and entertainment sectors. Practice head Geoffrey Smith has ‘sound knowledge’. Michael Varvill joined from Bird & Bird, while Tom Farrand went to Novagraaf.

Ipulse is ‘a cut above the rest in its level of service and hands-on attitude’. Highlights for the ‘practical yet professional’ team included advising a new client on its enforcement strategy, and continuing to advise Telefónica O2 on its trade mark portfolio. Attorney Patricia Collis is ‘clear, hardworking and practical’, and practice head Julius Stobbs shows ‘knowledge and commercial nous’.

Keltie provides an ‘outstanding’ level of service; its ‘professionalism is excellent’, and issues are resolved ‘swiftly and positively’. The group recently undertook worldwide trade mark filing for the Ryder Cup following a rebranding, and advised Room on the Broom and Gruffalo on respective trade mark initiatives. New clients include Smilepod and Lionsgate Entertainment, and the firm continues to act for Mario Testino, BP, the Hearst Corporation, and the PGA. Director Ben Britter has ‘vast knowledge of his business’; Sean Cummings provides ‘exemplary service’; and Manuela Macchi gives ‘clear and helpful advice’.

The five-office firm of Mathys & Squire LLP represents clients from the sports, motor, retail, and finance industries, advising on oppositions and portfolio management. Gary Johnston heads the team.

Jan Vleck heads Reddie & Grose LLP’s team, which is ‘responsive, professional and easy to work with’, and provides ‘prompt’ and ‘practical’ advice on issues such as applications to partially revoke registrations. The firm continues to provide portfolio management services for Kimberly-Clark.

Wildbore & Gibbons is a ‘knowledgeable’ and ‘practical’ trade mark specialist. Janella Barr, Stephen Kinsey and Linda Bray advise clients including William Grant & Sons Distillers, McLaren, Aviva, Danone, The Economist Newspaper, and Pinewood Studios.

A A Thornton & Co, which is valued for its ‘business acumen’ and ‘commercial advice’, represents clients in sectors including travel, telecoms, fashion and electronics. Rachel Havard is ‘very thorough’; Ian Gill has ‘in-depth technical knowledge’ and ‘an unparalleled willingness to assist’; and Vanessa Lawrence is ‘a star player’.

Abel & Imray’s Simon Bentley and Richard Mair handle portfolio management, prosecution and enforcement work. In 2011, the firm successfully defended an apparel manufacturer appeal; and asserted a client’s unregistered trade mark rights in the US. Clients include Biofarma, Novartis and Sportech.

Appleyard Lees operates out of 12 UK offices and advises clients on registering, searching and watching trade marks, as well as handling risk assessment and due diligence.

Avidity IP (previously HLBBshaw) advised New College, Oxford, on a brand registration. Team head Lara Grant joined from Ficosa International.

Beck Greener has a full trade mark practice, fielding attorneys with experience in the EC and other international trade mark registration systems. It represents a number of clients in the entertainment industry.

Ian Gruselle leads the trade mark portfolio management team at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. The firm has a strong reputation in the hotels sector, advising clients such as Marriott and Rocco Forte, and also continues to manage trade mark portfolios for Canonical, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and Financial Times Group.

Grant Spencer LLP is ‘a true partner’ in clients’ businesses, and its ‘overall level of service is excellent’. Its ‘responsive and knowledgeable’ attorneys are led by the ‘candid and practical’ Claire Hutchinson. The firm is heavily involved in dispute resolution, and has recently handled a number of appeals.

Specialist trade mark attorney firm HallMark IP Limited advises clients including First Choice, Charles Worthington, LK Bennett, and Mitchells & Butler.

Novagraaf recruited managing director Tom Farrand from Harrison Goddard Foote HGF in 2011 to lead its team. It has ‘great depth of wisdom and experience’, and is part of the Novagraaf Group of European IP consultants. Alistair Rawlence advises Boi Trading on contentious matters, and is recommended along with Susan Wall.

Olswang’s team, led by Joel Barry, gained Vodafone as a new client in 2011, and continues to advise Sky, ITV, Nationwide, and Richemont International.

Urquhart-Dykes & Lord LLP provides ‘very professional, knowledgeable and sound advice’. It advised JD Sports on due diligence relating to its acquisition of Blacks. Other clients include npower, Toyota, JoJo Mamon Bebe, and Stannah Stairlifts.

2011 was a year of growth for the ‘exceedingly good’ Venner Shipley LLP, which expanded its ‘responsive’ and ‘knowledgeable’ team and moved into new London offices. The practice includes portfolio management, prosecution, oppositions and strategic advice, and is led by the ‘fantastic’ and ‘indispensable’ Kate Szell, who recently advised on searching and registration strategy in relation to a telecoms project. New clients include the Southbank Centre and Mister Men.

Manchester-based Wilson Gunn is ‘first class’, with ‘excellent knowledge’ of the markets in which its clients operate. It was recently appointed as sole trade mark adviser to Manchester City FC, and advised NMSI Trading on the Flying Scotsman mark. Michael Douglas and the ‘very knowledgeable’ Tim Rose are recommended.

Withers & Rogers’ ‘excellent’ team advises clients in the fashion, insurance, jewellery, finance and defence industries on searches, filing and prosecution, renewals, and audits. Its ‘high-quality individuals’ include Fiona McBride and Tania Clark, who provides ‘personal service and an intelligent approach’.

Retail, consumer goods and fashion are key sectors for Ablett & Stebbing, which recently advised Manolo Blahnik on anti-counterfeiting. The team also provides contentious support to Insights.

Barker Brettell’s new clients include AIS and Etihad Airways. Sarah Lait heads the team, which adopts ‘a pragmatic approach’.

‘Professional’ firm Bond Pearce LLP acted on trade mark assignments for International Media Company following its acquisition of BBC Magazines. Other clients include English Heritage, Bart Spices, and the RNLI. Associate Clare Jackman is recommended.

Elkington and Fife LLP’s team, led by Mark Hiddleston, advises clients including Bon Jovi, Balfour Beatty, Hyundai, and Prince Sports.

‘Nothing is too much trouble’ for MW Trade Marks’ ‘excellent’ team, which acted for Booster Juice in successful enforcement proceedings, and for Ugg Boots in successful UK oppositions against similar marks and counterfeit products. Jon Wyness has ‘practical experience’; Anne Wong’s advice is ‘international in scope and very commercial’; and associate Sharon Daboul gives ‘thoughtful advice’.

Mewburn Ellis LLP is ‘strong on strategy and planning’, and gives ‘commercial’ advice. Kerry Moroney is acting for Smart Technologies in an international dispute. Sofia Arenal has ‘commercial awareness’; Roger Grimshaw is ‘extremely responsive’; and associate Edmund Harrison is ‘commercially savvy, diligent, and a good strategist’.

Mishcon de Reya has a seven-strong trade mark team, handling international portfolio management and prosecution matters. New instructions have come from Fox Networks and Speedo, among others.

Page White & Farrer adopts ‘a proactive approach’, and advises clients including Jane Norman, Peacocks and Merell. The group also advised Hush Puppies and Wolverine on oppositions. Team head James Cornish has ‘excellent subject knowledge’.

Phillips & Leigh advises clients in the construction, chemical and automotive sectors, among others.

Scott & York Intellectual Property Law is ‘able to accommodate unplanned actions swiftly’, and provides an ‘excellent service’. Cathy Ayers heads the team, and Alicia Instone is also recommended.

Best known for its life sciences regulatory expertise, Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP has ‘a very high degree of expertise and experience’, including in proceedings against regulatory and government authorities, with Ian Dodds-Smith ‘the foremost expert in this field in the EU’. It also handles product liability and patent matters. Christopher Stothers is ‘a talented patent litigator, with a high degree of knowledge and insight on EU pharmaceutical regulations’. The team is also increasing its corporate work, and recently advised on a billion-dollar transaction. It hired Anna Buscall from Allen & Overy LLP, who has particular experience in life sciences corporate transactions. Adela Williams is also recommended.

Bird & Bird has ‘an excellent practice in intellectual property for the life sciences sector’. It recently represented a number of clients in High Court patent disputes, and also advises on transactional, commercial licensing and regulatory matters. UK group head Trevor Cook provides ‘practical, sensible advice’ on the regulatory side; Mark Hilton is ‘a very strategic and lateral thinker’; and Struan Penwarden has ‘many years ’ knowledge of the industry, and a detailed knowledge of the relevant law’ on corporate transactions. Sally Shorthose advises on commercial IP matters.

Covington & Burling LLP has ‘consistently exceptional expertise across its entire team’, with particular strength in corporate and commercial work. It advised Vernalis on a licensing agreement and related £68.5m IPO, and acted for Axis-Shield on its £235m public takeover by Alere. Lucinda Osborne, who is ‘an excellent communicator, client-centric, with great industry knowledge’, acts for clients such as Novartis Vaccines and Boehringer Ingelheim on commercial agreements. On the regulatory side, Grant Castle advised Novartis in judicial review proceedings against NHS care trusts, and Morag Peberdy advised on various IP agreements. The team continues to develop its anti-corruption practice, with Kristian Wiggert joining from Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP in late 2011.

Fasken Martineau LLP has ‘an excellent understanding of current issues, and awareness of the complex deal structures and licensing arrangements that are commonly employed’. Ralph Cox is ‘exceptionally detailed and careful’ in IP disputes, and recently achieving a favourable ruling for Omnipharm in its patent case against Merial. Stuart Richards advised SkyePharma and Sinclair Pharma on licensing and transactional matters. Practice head Paul Ranson has ‘a willingness to fully understand and shape policies for pharma companies’. Allistair Booth has ‘an authoritative and formidable command of commercial law, combined with a can-do attitude’.

Simmons & Simmons LLP has recently handled a number of notable patent disputes. Marjan Noor represented Eli Lilly in UK and European proceedings regarding the olanzapine patent; and Marc Döring successfully acted for Bayer Pharma on patent revocation proceedings regarding its blockbuster birth control products. Charles Mayo acted for shareholders of Specifar Pharmaceuticals on its takeover by Watson Pharmaceuticals. The practice also advises on commercial agreements and regulatory issues. Clients include Ascendis Pharma, Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, and Cephalon.

Taylor Wessing LLP has ‘a very strong pharmaceuticals and biotechnology patent practice’, and is ‘one of the few leading firms prepared to act for generics as well as innovators’. Cambridge-based practice head Dr Malcolm Bates focuses on transactional matters, and recently advised antibody company F-star on a multimillion-pound commercial agreement with Merck Serono. The firm is noted for its patent litigation expertise, with James Marshall recently representing the defendant in Omnipharm Limited v Merial, which considered declarations of non-infringement for patents relating to veterinary product Fipronil. Chris Thornham is ‘hardworking, and a good all-round litigator with a sound grasp of technical content’.

Nicola Dagg leads Allen & Overy LLP’s global life sciences group and focuses on IP litigation, and recently acted for Pfizer in obtaining a preliminary injunction against Teva’s generic atorvastatin product, as well as successfully representing Novartis in a patent dispute with Medimmune. On the commercial side, the firm advised clients such as UCB, Syntaxin and Heptares on collaboration agreements, and acted for Astellas Pharma’s subsidiary Prosidion on the $609m sale of its patent estate and associated licences.

Bristows’ regulatory team, led by Maria Isabel Manley, has ‘the technical and commercial acumen to secure a competitive advantage’. The firm is also well known for its strength in patent litigation, with Sally Field recently representing AstraZeneca in its dispute with Ranbaxy over its Nexium product. The practice is also ‘building a small but excellent team’ acting for SMEs on commercial matters; Fiona Nicolson recently advised Harbour Antibodies on a licensing agreement with Eli Lilly. Patent litigator Robert Burrows was promoted to the partnership.

‘A great combination of true sector focus and a larger firm full service structure’, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP acts for various leading global pharmaceutical and medical device companies on major transactions. It acted for Takeda on its €9.6bn acquisition of Nycomed. Sarah Hanson, who is ‘a good lawyer, very thoughtful but highly pragmatic, and has outstanding sector knowledge’ on commercial matters, recently advised healthcare group BTG on a licensing deal with Japan-based Ohara Pharmaceutical. Shuna Mason is ‘excellent for regulatory compliance and ethics matters’, David Marks handles EU and competition matters, and Nick Beckett leads on IP work.

‘Particularly strong on general commercial advice’, DLA Piper UK LLP’s cross-office department recently acted for Pfizer, GE Healthcare, Roslin Cells, Human Genome Sciences and ViroPharma on regulatory, licensing and transactional matters. Co-chair of the global life sciences group Bonella Ramsay has ‘an excellent, pragmatic approach’ on IP and commercial matters. Edinburgh-based Philippa Montgomerie led the successful defence of Aircraft Medical in a £40m patent infringement case.

Herbert Smith LLP is highlighted for its ‘comprehensive advice and excellent knowledge on patent law and the pharmaceutical industry’. Practice head Sophie Rich advises clients such as Abbott Laboratories and Sanofi on patent litigation and enforcement. Sebastian Moore provides ‘valuable advice, and has an excellent understanding of the needs of the pharmaceutical industry’ on patent matters. He represented Roche in High Court proceedings over its Bonviva product, and continues to work with Mark Shillito in co-ordinating pan-European patent litigation for Eisai regarding its Aricept and Pariet drugs.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is highly rated for patent litigation; Stephen Bennett has ‘vast experience and combines this with a refreshingly down-to-earth, practical style’, and Daniel Brook is ‘a very bright new partner’. John Meltzer leads on product liability and regulatory matters, leveraging the firm’s transatlantic presence to act for clients such as Baxter and Merck & Co. It also handled significant cross-border commercial and transactional matters for clients such as J&J and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Linklaters LLP focuses on cross-border transactional and patent litigation matters, with recent highlights including acting for Actavis on its takeover by Watson Pharmaceuticals. Nigel Jones defended Johnson & Johnson in a patent dispute regarding its arthritis drug Simponi. Other clients include Sanofi, Fresenius and Shire.

Olswang’s capabilities span IP, licensing, venture capital and transactional matters. Stephen Reese and Stephen Rosen acted for the management on the spin-out of Autifony Therapeutics from GlaxoSmithKline. Reese also advised Vectora on a global licensing deal with Sandoz. The team also includes patent attorney Robert Stephen; and Campbell Forsyth, who joined from Forsyth Simpson and is ‘a very diligent lawyer who consistently provides creative input to problems’ on the patent litigation side.

Powell Gilbert LLP’s highly rated patent practice successfully represented Napp Pharmaceuticals at appeal against Sandoz and ratiopharm, and advised Fresenius on regulatory matters. Penny Gilbert successfully acted for Human Genome Sciences in the Supreme Court’s first-ever patent decision, and Tim Powell also handles cross-border disputes. Other clients include GlaxoSmithKline, Yeda, and Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.

Reed Smith handles transactional, licensing and competition law matters for life sciences clients. Practice head John Wilkinson advised Meda on licensing certain rights to Valeant Pharmaceuticals; and Nicola Maguire led advice to Imanova (a joint venture between leading UK universities and the Medical Research Council) on acquiring an R&D facility from GlaxoSmithKline. Other clients include Norgine, AstraZeneca and ALK-Abello.

SJ Berwin LLP’s life sciences and healthcare group, which is led by David Rose, has ‘superb knowledge’ of regulatory matters. Clients include Sandoz, Teva, Actavis and Lupin Limited. On the patent side, it focuses on representing generics manufacturers, with Ray Black successfully obtaining a declaration of non-infringement for Ranbaxy in its dispute with AstraZeneca. Andrew Shindler handles commercial and licensing matters. Stephen Kon and Cameron Firth advise on EU and UK competition law investigations.

Wragge & Co LLP’s ‘excellent’ team, across the firm’s London and Birmingham offices, has been involved in a number of cross-border transactional matters. Kevin Jones advised Astex Therapeutics on its £91m takeover by US-based SuperGen. For patent matters, Paul Inman is ‘a smart, focused lawyer who understands the pharma business and what clients need’. He advised Lundbeck on its patent validity challenge against Infosint regarding anti-depressant drugs. Other clients include Chroma Therapeutics, AstraZeneca and MedImmune. Patrick Duxbury heads the practice.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s John Kelleher advises on product liability matters, including defending major pharmaceutical companies against group actions.

Ashurst focuses on transactional matters, but also advises on regulatory issues. Anthony Clare and Dominic Batchelor acted for Ark Therapeutics on the sale of its wound care business, and Mark Lubbock advised Johnson & Johnson on the sale of its animal health division to Eli Lilly. Product liability specialist Arundel McDougall retired.

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s clients include Pfizer, Amgen, Baxter and Astellas. Practice head Jane Hobson acts on transactional matters, and advised Prestige Brands on the UK law aspects of its £420m acquisition of healthcare brands from GlaxoSmithKline. John Leadley handles product liability work, and Keith Jones advises on competition law matters.

DAC Beachcroft LLP is ‘second to none in the application of legal principles to scientific evidence and understanding’ regarding product liability and insurance matters for the life sciences industry. Recent matters include advising GlaxoSmithKline on the MMR group action, and acting for both the National Blood Authority and NHS trusts in relation to claims relating to hepatitis allegedly contracted from products, transfusions and transplants. Practice head Simon Pearl, Alison McAdams and Michael Goldberg are ‘deeply experienced and competent’.

Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP primarily advises on patent matters, and is developing a strong reputation for licensing work. Ben Goodger, who is ‘clever, knowledgeable, dedicated, experienced, and easy to work with’, advised new client ASLAN Pharmaceuticals on a licensing deal with Bristol-Myers Squibb to develop oncology compounds. Niall McAlister is recommended for transactions and venture capital investments.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s Alison Dennis leads on regulatory and commercial work for pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device clients, with clients including Cancer Research UK and Cambridge Cognition. Mark Hodgson advises on IP matters. New client wins include Johnson & Johnson, Align Technology and NHS Innovations.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP advises life sciences companies on high-value transactions and product liability matters. It acted for India-based JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals on the sale of its over-the-counter (OTC) business to Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Cilag. Jonathan Isted was appointed as co-head of the consumer and healthcare group, replacing Julian Long, who leads the corporate practice.

Lawford Davies Denoon is ‘a very successful niche practice effectively cornering the UK IVF, regenerative therapies and medical device markets’, and ‘while it is not full service as a law firm, it is more than full service within its scope’. Highlights included advising The Wellcome Trust on data protection issues; acting for the HPA in medical devices related litigation; and advising Uteron Group on commercial agreements. Medical devices specialist Alexander Denoon ‘always has creative ideas to deal with difficult issues, and is ideal for strategic boardroom counselling’. James Lawford Davies is ‘one of the best litigators in UK biotech’, and an expert in regenerative medicine. Counsel Julian Hitchcock joined from Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP.

Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP has a transactional focus, with consultant Julian Thurston recently advising Novartis and GW Pharmaceuticals on cross-border licensing deals. Of counsel Sophie McGrath handles venture capital work, and advised Novo A/S as lead investor in the €100m financing of Symphogen. Other clients include Norgine and Vernalis.

Nabarro LLP has increasingly been acting for SMEs. Guy Heath handles licensing matters for clients such as Enigma Diagnostics and ISIS. Brian Sher advised GlaxoSmithKline on competition law issues regarding its consumer healthcare business.

Pinsent Masons LLP is noted for its pharmaceutical IP expertise, with group head Clare Tunstall’s ‘depth of knowledge about the industry standing out’. Tunstall led for AAH Pharmaceuticals as one of the defendants in Warner-Lambert v Teva, and also advises on regulatory and transactional matters. Other clients include Teva, Ranbaxy, the Department of Health, and United Drug. Patent litigator Camilla Balleny joined from Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP.

Slaughter and May provides ‘solid and strong expertise on corporate, commercial and IP matters’ within life sciences; ‘on the corporate side, it probably has very few peers, while it can hold its own in contentious IP’. David Johnson advised on GlaxoSmithKline’s acquisition of Maxinutrition, and continued to advise the client on divesting its OTC business. The team also acted on the UK law aspects of Elekta’s acquisition of Nucletron. IP expert Susie Middlemiss ‘can process complicated technical information rapidly, and translate it into layman’s terms’.

Dechert LLP draws on its transatlantic and pan-European capabilities to advise clients such as PanGenetics and Celtic Therapeutics on transactions. Graham Defries advised Biocon on a proposed global agreement with Pfizer.

Eversheds LLP handles a range of regulatory, competition and commercial matters, for clients including Shire, Alere, Covidien, Roche, and United Drug. Janet Knowles leads the team, and was recently involved in advising Cochlear Ltd on a global technology licensing agreement with GN Resound. The group hired Richard Lewis from Hogan Lovells International LLP, who is experienced in transactional matters.

Jones Day’s competition head Frances Murphy is experienced in European court proceedings, and recently advised AstraZeneca in an ECJ appeal of a case involving alleged abuse of regulatory procedures in relation to its ulcer drug Losec. Other clients include Sanofi-Aventis, Mercury Pharma and MedImmune.

K&L Gates LLP’s Rebecca Halford-Harrison is ‘technically excellent, both on law and science, and a good strategist’; she handles patent matters for the biotech sector, and recently advised Neuralstem and Mölnlycke Health Care. Stuart Borrie focuses on venture capital and transactional work, acting for spin-outs Imperial Innovations and RepRegen on financing arrangements.

At Latham & Watkins LLP, IP litigator Laurence Cohen has acted for a number of pharmaceutical companies on patent matters, including representing the claimant in ConvaTec v Smith & Nephew.

IP firm Marks & Clerk LLP handles patent litigation and licensing arrangements for clients such as Daiichi Sankyo and Occlutech. Mike Gilbert is acting for MedImmune and Genentech in High Court disputes, and is also co-ordinating pan-European litigation for the clients.

Mayer Brown International LLP recently handled a range of IP, product liability and transactional matters for life sciences clients. Patent litigator Jonathan Radcliffe is experienced in high-value disputes; his track record includes representing Abbott Laboratories in litigation regarding its blockbuster drug Humira. Corporate partner Bernd Bohr, who joined from Allen & Overy LLP, divides his time between London and New York.

Hiroshi Sheraton and Rohan Massey co-head the IP group at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP, and handle patent litigation and data protection matters. Key clients include Novartis, Merge Healthcare and Amgen. IP litigator Gary Moss left for patent attorney firm EIP.

Mills & Reeve LLP’s clients include Baxter Healthcare, MedImmune, Norwich Bioscience Institutes, and Kymab. Recent work includes advising on cross-border clinical trials agreements and a joint venture. It also assisted the North West Fund on various venture capital investments. Practice head Isabel Napper acts on licensing and regulatory matters, and is ‘very responsive, has great knowledge, and is very outcome-focused’.

Mishcon de Reya has been particularly busy assisting clients with commercial and IP licensing arrangements. Practice head Martyn Hann has also been representing Clasado in a regulatory challenge, and continues to act for the defendants in a patent infringement case brought by Orasure regarding a wart and verruca treatment. Other clients include Pfizer, Perrigo Group and Generics UK.

Morgan Lewis’ Anthony Warnock-Smith focuses on regulatory and transactional matters for the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries. His expertise spans EU competition law, product liability, M&A, clinical trials, and licensing arrangements.

Norton Rose LLP’s team has ‘solid understanding of a wide range of issues, and a real willingness to put itself in the client’s shoes’. Clients incude GlaxoSmithKline, Domtar Corporation and UBM Medica. Patent litigation specialist Jonathan Ball is ‘an expert in the area, and provides extremely good direction and detailed advice to clients’. Mike Knapper advises on non-contentious IP matters, and is ‘very commercial and pragmatic – he thinks of real solutions that will work’.

At Osborne Clarke, Reading-based practice head Janita Good leads on transactional matters, including cross-border deals such as Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Takeda Ventures’ £65m global collaboration agreement with Heptares. The team also advised Kowa Optimed on restructuring its European business. Theo Savvides advises on IP matters for clients such as OraSure and Biome.

RPC’s Clive Thorne handles patent matters for life sciences clients, and recently acted for Apimed Medical Honey in a wound care product patent dispute, which reached the Court of Appeal. Other clients include Derma Sciences and Amlin. Dorothy Flower advises on product liability matters and clinical trials.

Specialist IP firm Rouse Legal handles significant patent litigation, and Diana Sternfeld recently acted for Merck Sharp & Dohme in appealing a patent revocation decision regarding a glaucoma treatment. Sternfeld and Richard Willoughby also represented the claimant in GSK Biologicals v Novartis.

Sidley Austin LLP advises clients such as Celgene, GlaxoSmithKline and Teva/Cephalon on transactional, regulatory and litigation matters. Tom Thesing and David Went advised on the corporate and competition law aspects of Medline’s acquisition of CareFusion’s surgical products division.

Squire Sanders LLP has particular expertise in regulatory and IP matters, with Carl Rohsler handling patent litigation and consultant Adrian Spooner advising on commercial and regulatory issues.

Stephenson Harwood’s Andrew Edge provides ‘a very, very commercial outlook’ on corporate finance matters, and recently advised Piramal Healthcare on acquiring a molecular imaging R&D portfolio from Bayer. IP partner Alexandra Pygall joined from Covington & Burling LLP.

Winston & Strawn London hired Richard Price from Taylor Wessing LLP and Dr Gareth Morgan from DLA Piper UK LLP, who have ‘high-quality expertise’ in patent litigation and regulations. The team focuses on representing generic pharmaceutical companies, with Teva Europe a key client.