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IT and telecoms

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has significant strength in depth across IT. The team acts for financial services clients and advises on large-scale IT outsourcing projects in the public sector. Martin Lewis, Paul Bentham and James Whittaker are all recommended.

Work for DLA Piper UK LLP included acting for the DWP on a number of projects involved in its large modernisation programme; and advising on high-profile IT projects in the financial services sector. Lee Brierley focuses on IT.

Highlights for Susan Hall at Cobbetts LLP included acting on a high-level, complex IT procurement project; and advising on the design and installation of geographical information systems for Informed Solutions.

Craig Chaplin arrived to head up the team at DWF LLP from Halliwells, bringing considerable expertise in non-contentious IT contract law and major business projects. Steve Morris also arrived from Halliwells, boosting the team’s contentious capabilities.

Peter Budd is a key figure in Gateley’s team, and is an established authority in the field; his recent work includes advising panel client Legal & General on a wide range of IT contracts, and advising Manchester City FC on new ticketing systems. Jonathan Moakes heads the practice.

The team at Squire Sanders Hammonds acts for both customers and suppliers. Highlights included advising AppSense on a £70m outsourcing deal with Fujitsu to provide desktop management solutions to the DWP. Other clients include Cooperative Bank and INEOS. Tom Bridgford left for Eversheds LLP.

Weightmans LLP has recently been involved in a number of large-scale IT procurement projects, primarily for public sector clients. Sean Crotty advises public sector clients as well as many technology and creative clients in the private sector. John Schorah leads the team.

Beachcroft acts for a number of multinational companies and public sector bodies. Recent work includes advising on IT litigation matters for INFOR, and advising a number of telecoms clients. Harald Loeffler heads the team, and has valuable international experience.

Shelley Thomas at Hill Dickinson LLP acted for the Marshalls group of aerospace companies in the procurement and acquisition of an IT system.

Pinsent Masons LLP was recently strengthened by the arrival of leading figure Samantha Livesey, whose diverse IT expertise includes major procurement projects.


Intellectual property

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has significant strength in depth across IP. Recent work includes brand protection advice for Liverpool FC; and trade mark infringement advice for Piaggio & C. Spa. Practice head Paul Bentham stands out for his ‘real technical excellence’, and James Whittaker and Martin Lewis are also recommended.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s IP team, led by Graeme Orchison, continues to handle cutting-edge patent, trade mark and design right cases. Highlights included advising Qualtex UK Limited in a high-profile passing off dispute. Katie Withers joined the team from Eversheds LLP.

Brabners Chaffe Street LLP is best known for its advice in relation to brand protection in the sports industry, but acts for a number of other household names in other sectors, including Corgi Group Limited. The practice includes patent, unregistered design rights and copyright issues. Nik White is ‘extremely knowledgeable about the games industry’, and ‘an excellent negotiator’.

Cobbetts LLP conducts a mix of contentious and non-contentious IP work. The experienced Robert Roper recently defended infringement proceedings for a major client in the gaming industry, while non-contentious work included patent licensing matters.

Former Halliwells heavyweight Craig Chaplin joined DWF LLP, with two other fee-earners and a variety of IP-rich clients. Chaplin is ‘an exceptional lawyer – technically very good and commercially even better’. Paul Attwood is recommended for his expertise in the food sector.

Eversheds LLP’s is well placed to advise on branding and technology licensing transactions. Head of contentious IP Antony Gold ‘brings an assured confidence and calmness’ in complex matters. Tom Bridgford joined from Squire Sanders Hammonds.

Pannone LLP has a growing specialism in IP work for the fashion and sportswear sector, acting for the British Fashion Council and Admiral Sportswear Limited among others. In contentious matters, Paul Jonson’s ‘thorough approach leaves nothing to chance’; and Bill Lister and Melanie McGuirk are also recommended.

Beachcroft acts for a number of multinational companies and public sector bodies. Recent work includes advising on IP litigation for INFOR. Head of the team is associate Harald Loeffler.

Gateley has been busy on large-scale and complex IP licensing projects for clients such as Comic Relief. Other work included advising a Premiership football club on various IP disputes; and advising an international retailer on a high-value trade mark assignment. Jonathan Moakes leads the team.

Hill Dickinson LLP was boosted by the arrival of Harvey Stringfellow, Colin Gibbons and Megan Jones from Halliwells. Following Philip Woods’ move to set up the firm’s IP practice in its Singapore office, ‘fabulous lawyerPeter Harrison now heads the team.

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP successfully acted on a number of high-profile litigation matters in 2010, for Worldwide Sales Corporation and Baker Street Clothing Limited. The experienced Ian Morris leads the team.

Shipley IP Ltd has expanded its client base in recent years and now acts for a number of household brands and AIM-listed biotech companies, among others. Mark Shipley heads the team.

Squire Sanders Hammonds is prolific in non-contentious IP work, where team head Peter Donaldson (‘an invaluable “go-to” person’) has particular expertise in technology issues. Tom Bridgford left for Eversheds LLP.

Clarke Willmott LLP welcomed Roy Crozier and his team from JMW Solicitors LLP. Clients include easyGroup, Playboy and Fred Perry.

George Davies Solicitors LLP’s experience includes website-related matters, and the exploitation and licensing of IP.

Hillyer McKeown has acted for a number of international companies in contentious and non-contentious matters. Joanne Shelley is recommended.

Durham Grigg now heads the IP team at JMW Solicitors LLP, after Roy Crozier and Andrew Stone left for Clarke Willmott LLP.

Nexus Solicitors has long acted for SMG, the largest stadium and arena operator in the world.

Rosemary Jay at Pinsent Masons LLP advises on privacy, confidentiality, data protection, access and related information law issues.


Media and entertainment

Addleshaw Goddard LLP acted for Tiger Aspect Productions in the successful defence of High Court litigation. Practice head James Whittaker also advised a number of large blue-chip corporate advertisers, including Travelodge and Bathstore.

Brabners Chaffe Street LLP acts for some high-profile clients in this area, including Bauer Media, and Rippleffect (now part of Trinity Mirror Group). Nik White and Jason Smith lead the teams in Liverpool and Manchester respectively.

John Burns, previously of Halliwells, now leads the team at Gateley, and continues to act on a broad range of matters for major corporate clients and high-profile individuals.

George Davies Solicitors LLP advises professional footballers, athletes and music clients. Litigator Kelvin Parry joined in 2010 from Halliwells. Mark Hovell leads the team.

Hill Dickinson LLP advises clients across the whole range of media and entertainment issues. Richard Green is the key contact.

Chris Farnell and Paul Fletcher of IPS Law continue to advise clients in the football industry, and received a significant boost with the arrival of solicitor Mike Hall, who advises on a wide variety of contractual agreements in the media and entertainment arena.

Nexus Solicitors has recently recruited celebrated music specialist Stephen Lea from Lea & Company as a consultant.

Pannone LLP has strength in depth, and advises clients from a broad range of industries. Bill Lister and Melanie McGuirk are both praised for their clear and concise advice.

Samantha Lansbury at Slater Heelis advises a range of businesses and individuals from creative design agencies to production companies, trainers and talent. She is ‘very knowledgeable and approachable, making the process very smooth and simple’.

Recent work for department head Andrew Booth at Turner Parkinson LLP includes negotiating licensing and distribution deals for the Mercury Prize nominated I Am Kloot.

Laura Harper at Ward Hadaway advises on range of contracts, with notable work including advising Dinosaur (UK) Limited on its high-profile campaign for the sponsorship of the British Music Experience.


Sport

The team at Brabners Chaffe Street LLP, led by Maurice Watkins, has a strong track record in football and now acts for more than three quarters of the clubs in the Premier League. Its regulatory practice is spreading to include other sports such as rugby union, rugby league, swimming and cycling.

IPS Law continues to act on a substantial number of matters for Premier League and Championship football clubs, as well as footballers and agents. Paul Fletcher is ‘attentive to detail, knowledgeable, commercially minded and approachable’. Chris Farnell advises on transfer work and contractual matters.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP advised adidas on sponsorship and advertising matters; and The Football League on various banking, governance and litigation matters. Team head James Whittaker is experienced in acting for governing bodies and sponsors.

Gateley acts for various football clubs and local rugby clubs, and is advising Lancashire County Cricket Club on the redevelopment of Lancashire’s Old Trafford cricket ground. John Burns heads the team.

George Davies Solicitors LLP’s team includes Mark Hovell, who is a Court of Arbitration for Sport arbitrator, and Colin Murdock, a former professional footballer and a member of the Football Association’s Disciplinary Panel.

Julian Diaz-Rainey joined Hill Dickinson LLP with one assistant from Halliwells, specialising in dispute resolution. Richard Green heads the team.

DWF LLP acts for a number of sports clients, including JD Sports.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP advises sports clients on a range of issues, and insurers in sports injury matters.

Hillyer McKeown’s Steve Harvey advises sports professionals on employment matters, and the exploitation of image rights and other IP issues.

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP acts for prominent players at Manchester United FC and Manchester City FC.

Nexus Solicitors advises on sponsorship, product endorsement, and image rights agreements between Premier League footballers, product manufacturers and clubs.


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