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IT and telecoms

Darwin Gray’s Chris Crane has ‘second-to-none’ knowledge and expertise in telecoms, and ‘explains things in plain English and understands the practicalities of doing business and selling’. Jason Smith also handles non-contentious matters. Stephen Thompson led on various IT contract disputes.

At Eversheds LLP, Matthew Gough advised Legal & General on data protection matters, and Confused.com on IT procurement; Heather McNabb advised DVLA on outsourcing IT services; and Mark Rhys-Jones represented EADS in a multimillion-pound breach of contract dispute.

Geldards LLP has advised clients such as Somer Housing Group and a major financial institution. Ceri Delemore handles IT outsourcing and procurement as well as telecoms agreements, and Michael Lindsey advises on internet advertising.

Richard Lane leads Hugh James’ IT and communications work, and advised Natural England 
on negotiating multimillion-pound IT outsourcing with Defra and IBM. Richard Locke represented the Environment Agency in a licensing dispute with 
Oracle.

Morgan Cole mainly advises public sector organisations, although notable private sector clients include IFDS. It acted for new client Siemens Enterprise on a bid for a region-wide public sector broadband project. Justin Harrington handles IT matters, and Emyr Lewis has experience advising public bodies.

Consultant Bruce Burniston at JCP Solicitors specialises in IT advice, advising local hi-tech businesses involved in the Wales-based Technium scheme.

M & A Solicitors LLP advises on general IT issues, including procurement matters for Peacocks and West Sussex Council. It advised Santia (formerly known as Connaught Compliance) on IT/telecoms contract negotiations with a major data communications provider. Rachelle Sellek leads the practice.

At MLM Cartwright, corporate and commercial partner Mike Baggott has experience in licensing, software development and IT contracts.

Morgan LaRoche Limited advises on licensing and distribution agreements.

Intellectual property

Eversheds LLP’s commercial law specialist Matthew Gough is ‘very approachable, thoroughly professional, and accurate. He clearly instils this approach in his team as well’. The firm advised Newport University on IP policies, and author Zoë Harcombe, a new client, on copyright issues.

Geldards LLP advises public, private and third 
sector clients, including Cardiff University, new client Help for Heroes, and Staedtler. Ceri Delemore 
specialises in patent licensing in the life sciences sector and copyright issues, and Richard Moore handles infringement disputes. Michael Lindsey successfully represented the defendant in design rights infringement case Hoist v Reid.

Morgan Cole advises public sector organisations and private manufacturers. Lee Fisher advised PHS on due diligence and contentious matters, including copyright infringement, and is also advising on licensing for the E-Crime Wales initiative.

Capital Law LLP’s Nicola McNeely has ‘good overall understanding of this complex area of law and provides cost-effective advice’, and continued to advise Gocompare.com on brand protection. Associate Wayne Benyon handles contentious issues. Andrew Beale joined as a part-time consultant.

MLM Cartwright’s Aled Walters advises media and entertainment clients on IP licensing and agreements.

Berry Smith acts for corporate and industrial clients, recently advising a number of biotech companies on licensing and agreements. Newly promoted partner Erica Westerman is ‘responsive and proactive’.

Darwin Gray mainly acts for hi-tech and 
telecoms industry clients. Chris Crane advised 
Mitel Networks on trademark issues. Stephen 
Thompson handles contentious matters, recently representing online company HotelREZ in a domain name dispute.

JCP Solicitors was recently instructed in contentious trademark and copyright infringement matters.

M & A Solicitors LLP advises commercial clients on IP licensing. Recent instructions have come from Cardiff City FC and life sciences companies Surgicraft and Zoobiotic. Rachelle Sellek leads the team.

Morgan LaRoche Limited has recently advised local clients on copyright matters and trademark applications, and biotech companies on IP protection.

Media and entertainment

Geldards LLP is instructed by UK-wide media companies, and Welsh broadcaster S4C remains a key client. Ceri Delemore leads the team, which advised Gwent Police Authority on the distribution of road safety film Cow, and National Library of Wales on contentious film ownership rights. Senior associate Lydia Fairfax acted for new clients Future Publishing and Babelgum regarding online strategies.

Morgan Cole’s practice is led by Emyr Lewis. Welsh independent producer Tinopolis is its main client, with recent work including new media rights matters. The firm also acts for Brighton-based Wild Dream Films on UK and international production issues.

Capital Law LLP has a growing reputation in the area. Significant client wins include S4C, for employment and policy issues, and Rondo Media Cyf, in relation to a BBC co-production. Hired in 2010 as a media and IP specialist having previously worked at ITV and S4C, Sion Clwyd Roberts ‘has a thorough understanding of the creative industry sector as a whole’. Nicola McNeely heads the practice.

Providing service ‘of a high standard’, media and entertainment specialist Aled Walters at MLM Cartwright advises broadcasters, independent producers and gaming companies, and has acted for Boomerang and Ceidiog Productions.

Dolmans Solicitors’ David Boobier has advised theatre and TV companies on company formation and contracts. Associate Jen Cottle advises sports professionals on TV and media appearances.

M & A Solicitors LLP has advised Boomerang on contracts, media rights and funding. Betsan Thomas left for what is now Red Kite Law in 2010.

Sport

Hugh James’ senior partner Gareth Williams ‘has an air of authority and provides advice that is direct and practical’, combining commercial litigation and sports law experience to lead the practice, whose primary client remains the WRU. Williams also led a successful appeal against the Welsh Football League, regarding its decision to relegate two clubs from division three of the league.

M & A Solicitors LLP provides a comprehensive service to clients including Cardiff City FC and various sports professionals. Associate Christian Farrow is ‘very reliable, has strong commercial awareness and consistently delivers’. Former practice head Dean Sheehan moved in-house to the Al Tayer Group in Dubai.

Darwin Gray’s Jason Smith advises individuals and organisations on commercial issues, and Rhys Parsons acts for rugby professionals, in which area his ‘knowledge and advice is second to none’. Rhodri Lewis handled contractual disputes for Llanelli RFC.

Providing ‘responsive, thorough and well-informed’ advice, Dolmans Solicitors acts for various Olympic and Paralympic athletes and regional bodies on commercial matters and disputes. Philip Bradley combines private client and sports sector experience, and Clare Hoskins advises on injury claims.

Harding Evans LLP advises high-profile professionals such as rugby international James Hook. Recent work includes representing a boxing professional in a licence appeal against the British Boxing Board of Control. Practice head John Allison acts for Newport County AFC. Zep Bellavia advises a number of high-profile football clubs.

Hutchinson Thomas’ ‘knowledge and skills are complementary’, and the team is also appreciated for its ‘passion for the subject’. Alongside commercial matters, Roger Morris, Robert Williams and Simon Thomas act in disciplinary hearings for the WRU and Six Nations. Recent work includes misconduct hearing Magners League v Ospreys.

Underpinned by a strong commercial reputation, Morgan LaRoche Limited advised local rugby clubs and West Wales Football Association on contentious matters. William Barletta leads the team, which includes the well-regarded Rosemary Morgan.

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