The Legal 500

Litigator and mediator Jill Bainbridge leads Blake Lapthorn’s IP group. IT expertise is provided by Geoffrey Sturgess and the ‘especially strong‘ Simon Smith. 2008 highlights included advising Supermassive Games, a new video games company; acting for a Dutch TV content supplier; and representing an online business insurer. IP clients included Alactel Lucent, the University of Surrey and Goodwood Estate Company.

DMH Stallard LLP is led by Tim Ashdown, a panel lawyer for Anti-Copying in Design, with a strong reputation for competition IP and IT law. The team also includes partner Frank Jennings, whose ‘knowledge is exceptional because he has worked in-house for a software firm‘. Clients praise the team as ‘young and keen to work with us on our creative level‘. New client wins in 2008 included ADA Computer Systems, Noostar and Formjet.

Manches LLP’s team is ‘brilliant, reliable and responsive‘. On the IT side, Jonathan Oddy is the key contact. In 2008 the practice acted for a leading mobile telecoms company and a major broadband supplier. Chris Shelley heads the IP offering, where clients include Losonoco and Del Agua Water Testing. Jim Kinnier Wilson has ‘tremendous legal knowledge‘.

At Shoosmiths, IP head Gary Assim is ‘reliable, quick, result orientated, cost aware and fun‘. The practice gained publicity by acting successfully for Chloe in a high-profile claim against Topshop. The IT team ‘has a very personal touch‘ and was joined in 2008 by Jonathan Bartley from Baker & McKenzie LLP. Clients include Toys ‘R’ Us, Thomas Cook and Thorntons.

Boyes Turner has grown in size and importance under new head of department Mark Blunden, whose ‘biggest strength is his fun personality and ability to explain legal jargon in a simple and clear manner‘. IP clients include the Guardian Media Group, Pentax and Numark Industries. An impressive IT client roster includes Axxia, Ericsson and EDS; the firm represented the latter in a £6.5m claim brought by Fujitsu.

Morgan Cole’s Alison Patten-Hall leads a strong team with particular expertise advising health sector clients. Associate Darren Curtis is ‘an excellent lawyer with great commercial awareness‘ and has been involved in a range of IT-related work for the Department of Health. Significant IP clients include Raymond Blanc, Miele and Clarins (UK).

Leading London media firm Olswang has a one-partner practice in Reading primarily focused on IT matters. Technology expert Iain Stansfield is supported by newly arrived legal director and former Microsoft Corporation senior attorney Gillian Austin. In 2008, the firm advised Avis on a telecoms deal, as well as acting for Xerox, Yell and Microsoft.

Osborne Clarke offers ‘excellent value‘ to a broad blue-chip client base that includes BSkyB, Dell and Vodafone. New client wins in 2008 included Marks & Spencer, Xerox and Biometric Security. Russell Bowyer heads the practice and is lauded by clients for his ‘commitment to solving problems, flexibility at short notice, sense of humour and pragmatic advice‘. Recommended partner Mark Webber is national co-head of the firm’s technology department.

At Rouse Legal, ‘the appropriateness of the advice is spot on‘. For general commercial IP issues, Hugh Tebay is recognised for his ability to ‘offer practical and relevant advice‘. Trade mark specialist and partner Robert Furneaux is also identified as ‘innovative with a great appreciation of the retail industry‘. Ben Goodger is the partner contact for IT matters. Clients include Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline and the Kingfisher Group.

asb law is ‘nothing short of outstanding‘. Margaret Craton advises IT clients such as Leaderball and GS1 UK.

Nick Phillips’ team at Barlow Robbins LLP is ‘every bit as effective as any top-rate London firm‘, according to one client.

Bond Pearce LLP has Julian Hamblin on the IT side, with Tom Phipps providing IP advice. Clients include Royal Mail, English Heritage and BHS.

Clarke Willmott LLP’s IP partner Ravi Mohindra has laid the groundwork for an impressive practice, with several high-profile client wins. Jewel in the crown is easyGroup.

At the ‘professional and friendly‘ Clyde & Co, Mark Williamson is praised as ‘a very pragmatic individual‘ and was promoted to partner in 2008. Particularly strong in the technology sector, clients include Motability, Next Generation Data and ADP Systems.

EMW Picton Howell LLP - born from the merger of emw law and Picton Howell - has a team led by Robert Cain. Clients include 3D Entertainment Group and Luminar Leisure on the IP side, and Zylog Systems and Cognisco in the technology sector.

palmer biggs legal was formed in 2006 by Steve Palmer (formerly of Rawlison Butler LLP), and specialises in the protection and enforcement of IP in cyberspace for clients including BAA and JD Sports. The team was recently bolstered by the arrival of IP litigator Dawn Osborne from Rouse Legal.

Shadbolt LLP’s ‘knowledgeable and experienced‘ team includes the recommended John Warchus.

Stevens & Bolton LLP delivers an ‘exceptional, partner-led and personal service‘. David Wilkinson offers ‘a great mix of commercial and legal savvy‘ to clients including BSkyB and A&E Television Networks.

Taylor Walton LLP is considered ‘as good, if not better, than a City firm‘ and has a strong client base that includes Epson, Fujifilm and Kenwood Electronics.