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The TMT sector experienced increased activity, driven by technology, convergence and regulation. Data security and privacy are key focus areas, with a particular emphasis on consumer protection issues arising from the growth in online targeted marketing and location-based services. Global brands are looking to protect their interests in the marketplace, with fierce competition for consumers producing more advisory and disputes work for law firms and patent and trade mark attorneys. Franchising is another growth area, with global brands looking to leverage their products in different regions and sectors. Brand protection and franchising are key areas in sports law.

The UK maintains its status as the leading centre, after the US, for life sciences R&D, and the pharmaceuticals industry has proved relatively recession proof. Market consolidation has driven significant M&A activity, and the complex interface between the big pharmaceuticals brands and generic manufacturers continues to generate contentious and non-contentious work for law firms.

Convergence is a major factor in the IT and telecoms sector, as illustrated by the joint venture between Orange and T-Mobile and significant acquisitions in the sector. IT lawyers have been advising on major infrastructure and other projects that were delayed by the recession. Clients remain cautious about costs and investments, and this is affecting their strategic choices. Public and private sector organisations are outsourcing different functions, and restructuring and renegotiating existing outsourcing arrangements. Cloud computing is another important area, with lawyers involved in negotiating service level agreements and addressing data compliance, security and privacy.

The legal market saw some significant changes. Howrey LLP and Roiter Zucker Solicitors dissolved, with their key players joining other leading practices. High-profile transatlantic mergers led to the creation of SNR Denton and Squire Sanders Hammonds.

The Legal Services Act and client demand for one-stop shops for IP law have driven convergence between law firms and PATMA firms, with some law firms, notably Olswang and Squire Sanders Hammonds, including patent and trade mark attorneys in their teams. PATMA firms are starting to hire lawyers, with D Young & Co LLP recruiting Ashurst LLP’s IP litigation team. Ipulse hired trade mark head Julius Stobbs from leading PATMA firm Boult Wade Tennant and, more recently, patent attorney Justin Hill from McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP.

Key IP hires included Phil Sherrell moving from Eversheds LLP to market leader Bird & Bird; and Howrey LLP’s Mark Hodgson joining Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP. Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP’s team was boosted by the arrival of Clive Thorne from Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP; CMS Cameron McKenna LLP hired Fasken Martineau LLP’s Jeremy Morton; and Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP recruited Ben Goodger, former head of Rouse Legal’s global IP commercialisation group.

In life sciences, Covington & Burling LLP hired four partners from Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP; Howrey LLP’s Marjan Noor joined Simmons & Simmons; Paul Inman joined Wragge & Co LLP; and Claire Tunstall and her patent litigation team joined Pinsent Masons LLP from Roiter Zucker Solicitors.

In IT and telecoms, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP and Powell Gilbert LLP were strengthened by high-profile lateral hires. Clients’ focus on the cost of legal advice has brought work to specialist boutiques, notably Technology Law Alliance, Preiskel & Co LLP, Waterfront Solicitors and Radiant Law, recently established by partners from Latham & Watkins LLP and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP.

Boutique and mid-size firms dominate media, entertainment and sport, with Wiggin LLP maintaining a high profile and Lewis Silkin LLP recruiting Jonathan Coad from Swan Turton and Paul Chinnery, former head of legal at Channel Five.

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