United Kingdom > Yorkshire and the Humber > TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
IT and telecoms
IT and telecoms
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- Addleshaw Goddard LLP Leeds
- DLA Piper UK LLP Leeds, Sheffield
- Pinsent Masons LLP Leeds
- Walker Morris Leeds
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2
- Brooke North LLP Leeds
- Clarion Leeds
- Irwin Mitchell LLP Leeds
- Lee & Priestley LLP Leeds
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- Berwins Solicitors Harrogate
- Eversheds LLP Leeds
- Rollits LLP Hull
- Wake Smith & Tofields Sheffield
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- Andrew Jackson Hull
- Gosschalks Hull
- Watson Burton LLP Leeds
Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s strategy to target financial institutions has led to technology-related instructions from major clients such as Aviva, Lloyds Banking Group and The Co-operative Bank. Areas of expertise include procurement, and the team has also been assisting in the various contract renegotiations. Ian Sampson leads the team.
DLA Piper UK LLP acts for both public and private sector clients, and in 2010 handled a significant amount of international work. Mark Vipan heads the department, which recently assisted National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) in relation to its personal accounts programme.
The ‘absolutely excellent’ team at Pinsent Masons LLP is regularly instructed on complex ICT projects, working for international clients and public sector bodies. The team provides ‘commercial advice’, and is ‘helpful and demonstrates good sector expertise’.
Walker Morris’ ‘very good’ team advises on IT and e-commerce matters, and in 2010 handled a significant amount of work in the public sector. Clients include the NHS Business Services Authority, Monsoon and Capita. The team includes a number of specialists advising on IT and BPO outsourcing. Michael Stevens heads the practice, and associate Robert Goldstone is also recommended.
Brooke North LLP’s Dai Davis advises major IT suppliers including Arrk and Singlepoint Holdings. He also continues to advise Allianz SE, and has recently been instructed by the Consort Hotels group.
Clarion’s team was bolstered by the arrival of Matthew Hattersley from Eversheds LLP. The team advises British Gas, Callcredit and Vocalink.
The ‘very good’ team at Irwin Mitchell LLP, headed by Joanne Bone, advised a major Yorkshire plc on a broadband arrangement in 2010, and regularly advises on IT procurement. It also recently advised a leading, privately owned petroleum company. Associate Helen Goldthorpe is also recommended.
Lee & Priestley LLP advised AIM-listed software company ZOO Digital on the update of its software licence agreement, and is also instructed by number of international clients.
The ‘excellent’ team at Berwins Solicitors provides ‘expert’ advice on software licensing issues. Paul Berwin, who heads the team, is noted for his expertise. New clients include Sandstone Technology (Europe) and Extreme.
Manchester-based Antony Gold heads the team at Eversheds LLP, which saw an increased volume of corporate instructions in 2010.
Rollits LLP advises on software and hosted solutions, and data protection matters. Leeds City College and Aunt Bessie’s are key clients.
Peter Rawlinson leads the team at Wake Smith & Tofields, which advises on regulatory issues and commercial contracts.
Intellectual property
Intellectual property
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1
- Addleshaw Goddard LLP Leeds
- DLA Piper UK LLP Leeds, Sheffield
- Eversheds LLP Leeds
- Pinsent Masons LLP Leeds
- Walker Morris Leeds
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2
- Clarion Leeds
- HGF Law Leeds
- Irwin Mitchell LLP Leeds
- James Love Legal Harrogate
- Kempner & Partners LLP Leeds
- Lupton Fawcett LLP Leeds
- Squire Sanders Hammonds Leeds
- Virtuoso Legal Leeds
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3
- 3volution LLP Leeds
- Andrew Jackson Hull
- Berwins Solicitors Harrogate
- Brooke North LLP Leeds
- Gordons LLP Leeds
- Keeble Hawson Doncaster
- Rollits LLP Hull
- Wake Smith & Tofields Sheffield
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- Dickinson Dees LLP York
- Cobbetts LLP Leeds
- Front Row Legal Leeds
- Gosschalks Hull
- Last Cawthra Feather LLP Leeds
- McCormicks Harrogate
- Watson Burton LLP Leeds
Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s team saw an increase in non-contentious work related to the development of new technology in the medical sector. Oxford Medical Diagnostics is a client. Ian Sampson leads the team.
DLA Piper UK LLP’s clients include Puma, Mothercare and Swan Vesta. It also recently advised the Catholic Church, on trade mark issues relating to the Pope’s visit to the UK in 2010. Richard Taylor, who leads the team in Sheffield, is noted for his ‘excellent knowledge’, and Chris Tulley leads the team in Leeds.
Led by Antony Gold in Manchester, the team at Eversheds LLP has a significant contentious IP infringement practice, and in 2010 advised Poundstretcher, Tombola and Volvox Group.
Pinsent Masons LLP’s team has recently advised Christys’ & Company on the disposal of a division of the brand involving complex cross-licences. It also counts Laura Ashley and Dixons retails as clients.
Highlights for Walker Morris’ team included representing Cartridge World in a patent dispute, and advising AstraZeneca on parallel imports issues. It has also recently advised Medea International and boot manufacturer UGG.
The team at Clarion, led by Leigh Martin, is instructed by major national companies including Hermes, Pace, LNT Group, and Music Sales Limited.
Specialist IP firm HGF Law has experience in areas such as royalty negotiations and trade mark infringement cases. Clients in 2010 included Chrome Dreams. Managing partner Paul Sanderson is recommended for his patent expertise, and Martyn Fish is ‘very good’.
Irwin Mitchell LLP handles complex, high-value matters for a wide range of international clients. Joanne Bone advised Amefa UK on its trade mark portfolio in 2010, and HD Sports is another client.
Specialist firm James Love Legal is known for its expertise in patent litigation, and regularly represents clients in the High Court. Clients include the Guinness World Records, Bestival and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
Set up in 2009, the team at Kempner & Partners LLP advises on trade mark and patent disputes, and is ‘timely, concise and attentive’. Richard Kempner, who heads the department, is appreciated for his ‘deep knowledge, legal acumen and clarity of advice’.
Lupton Fawcett LLP’s ‘excellent’ team recently advised clients on patent registration and non-disclosure matters. John Sykes’ team provides ‘sound, in-depth’ advice.
The team at Squire Sanders Hammonds is led by the ‘enthusiastic, informative and creative’ Alex Newman, and provides an ‘excellent’ level of service. Recent work includes IP infringement/anti-counterfeiting cases.
Elizabeth Ward’s team at Virtuoso Legal advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters. It is ‘prompt’, with ‘good knowledge’.
3volution LLP is a new firm set up by Louise Handley and two other partners from Lee & Priestley LLP. Handley is an IP specialist, and deals with both contentious and non-contentious matters.
Andrew Jackson’s team works closely with the firm’s dispute resolution practice. In 2010 it acted for a number of plcs, and Arco and Nuffield Wellbeing are other clients.
The ‘excellent’ team at Berwins Solicitors advises on IP contracts and rights. Group head Paul Berwin is ‘exceptionally good’.
Dai Davis at Brooke North LLP acts on major licensing projects for Kirkstall and Blue Sky Designs. He has also recently provided patent, copyright and design right advice to clinets including Primo Play, Mayfair Brassware and Virtual College.
Gordons LLP has a longstanding relationship with Wm Morrison Supermarkets, and also advises Morphy Richards on contentious and non-contentious issues. Matthew Howarth heads the department.
Keeble Hawson’s team advises on IP licensing agreements, notarisations and contentious matters. Rosemary Downs leads the team, which provides a ‘high-quality service’.
The ‘very good’ team at Rollits LLP advises major UK companies including Fenner plc and Cranswick plc, and charities including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. In 2010 it advised Green Planet Solutions on rights assignment and licence negotiations. The ‘knowledgeable’ Keith Benton leads the team.
Wake Smith & Tofields advises clients in the games development and digital media sector.
The team at Dickinson Dees LLP has experience in areas such as licence negotiations and patent litigation. Newcastle-based practice head Mark Pearce is recommended for his ‘responsiveness, flexibility and common sense’.
Cobbetts LLP’s team works closely with the firm’s competition practice. Clients in 2010 included EMIS Group and Airplus International.
Front Row Legal has a soft IP practice, and specialises in brand development and copyright matters.
Gosschalks’ practice includes data protection and software licensing matters.
Last Cawthra Feather LLP is recommended following the arrival of commercial and IP partner James Sarjantson from Levi Solicitors LLP.
The ‘excellent’ team at McCormicks advises a number of sports clients, including the Isthmian Football League. It was also instructed by DFS Furniture Group in 2010, in a number of trade mark disputes.
Watson Burton LLP has experience across a range of IP issues.
Media and entertainment
Media and entertainment
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- Clarion Leeds
- McCormicks Harrogate
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- Addleshaw Goddard LLP Leeds
- Rollits LLP Hull
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Clarion’s team acted for the BBC and Music Sales Limited, and also provided legal advice on Emmerdale scripts in 2010. It also advises on publishing issues, for clients such as Barker Brooks Media.
The well-regarded Peter McCormick leads the team at McCormicks, which handles both contentious and non-contentious work, and acts for high-profile companies as well as individuals. The practice spans broadcasting, media, personal contracts, sponsorship, defamation and complaints relating to broadcasters and the press.
The team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP in 2010 acted for Tiger Aspect Productions in High Court litigation. Other clients include ITV, Harper Collins, Global Radio and EMI. Manchester-based James Whittaker heads the department.
Keith Benton’s team at Rollits LLP advises Aunt Bessie’s Limited, Childwatch and Headland Multimedia.
Front Row Legal has a growing contentious and non-contentious practice, and was bolstered by the arrival of the ‘pragmatic and realistic’ Clive Lawrence as a consultant. Previously at Clarion, Lawrence is noted for his ‘very strong industry knowledge’. Areas of specialism for the ‘exemplary’ team, led by ‘knowledgeable and compassionate’ solicitor Alastair Redfern, include online defamation and harassment matters.
Last Cawthra Feather LLP provides entertainment law advice to a range of individuals.
Sport
Sport
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1
- Addleshaw Goddard LLP Leeds
- McCormicks Harrogate
- Walker Morris Leeds
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- Blacks Solicitors LLP Leeds
- Clarion Leeds
- Front Row Legal Leeds
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- DLA Piper UK LLP Leeds
- Ford & Warren Leeds
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- Irwin Mitchell LLP Sheffield
- Langleys York
The team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP saw a varied workload in 2010, advising high-end clients including Sainsbury’s, The Football League and Adidas on issues ranging from sponsorship to constitutional matters.
McCormicks maintains a well-respected team. Practice head Peter McCormick is ‘knowledgeable, reliable, helpful and authoritative’, and is chairman of the Premier League Legal Advisory Group; he advises the board on a regular basis, as well as clubs. Yorkshire County Cricket Club is also a client. Solicitor Richard Crabb is ‘excellent’.
Chris Caisley leads the team at Walker Morris, which acts for various high-profile clients in football and rugby union, such as Bradford City FC, Leeds United FC, and Newcastle Falcons. The practice includes contract negotiations and endorsement matters.
The ‘proactive and commercial’ team at Blacks Solicitors LLP advises sports individuals and major organisations on media coverage issues and also relocation matters.
The team at Clarion has a solid corporate client base and was bolstered in 2010 by the hire of head of IP Leigh Martin from Lupton Fawcett LLP and head of commercial Matthew Hattersley from Eversheds LLP; both regularly handles sports-related matters.
Front Row Legal has an ‘excellent’ sports practice, advising high-profile clients on sponsorship and merchandising/licensing matters. Consultant Clive Lawrence is noted for his ‘broad industry knowledge’.
The team at DLA Piper UK LLP operates on a national and international scale. Recent clients include the administrators of Crystal Palace FC, and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Nicholas Collins heads a ‘first-class’ team at Ford & Warren. It recently represented former footballer Dave Mackay and footballer Robert Weston in defamation cases, as well as drafting contracts for potential transactions.
Irwin Mitchell LLP counts Sheffield FC and Sheffield Wednesday FC as clients.
Langleys is recommended for its equine practice, led by Mark Roberts. The firm handles work for trainers and racecourses.