The Legal 500

London: Corporate and commercial

Commercial contracts

Commercial contracts - ranked: tier 6

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP has a strong client following in the commercial contracts space, owing to its 'high degree of partner-level engagement'; its longstanding clients include Diageo, AstraZeneca and Honda. Matthew Warren heads up the team, which handles commercial matters that overlap with technology, brands, digital content and intellectual property. Laura Anderson was the lead adviser to Ferroglobe Plc on two recent long-term strategic commercial arrangements with Glencore, which were related to the client's acquisition of two manganese plants from Glencore. In 2017, Toby Crick and senior associate Sacha Wilson assisted Guardian News and Media with negotiating two commercial deals with adtech vendors OpenX and Improve Digital. IT specialist Adrian Sim , whose expertise includes e-commerce and digital media transactions, has 'an excellent client manner' and is 'very responsive'. Anna Cook, of counsel David Horner and senior associate Claire Smith are also recommended.

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EU and competition

EU and competition - ranked: tier 4

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP is ‘excellent in all fields in competition law’ and is particularly well regarded for its expertise in the IP and TMT sectors, where it provides an ‘inventive’ and ‘highly tailored’ approach to clients including Google, Samsung, International Copyright Enterprise Services, Sony, and ZTE. Practice head Pat Treacy is recommended as ‘the go-to competition counsel in Europe for IP/innovation related matters, delivering outstanding work’. Treacy and Stephen Smith have been advising D&M on an EC investigation into resale price maintenance in the context of e-commerce in the EU, as well as assisting the client with an overhaul of its EU distribution agreements in the light of new market and legal developments and the EC’s Digital Single Market Enquiry. Sophie Lawrance is also noted for her expertise in the technology and pharmaceutical sectors and for forming an ‘outstanding team’ with Treacy.

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M&A: smaller deals up to £50m

M&A: smaller deals up to £50m - ranked: tier 1

Bristows LLP

The life sciences and technology sectors are particular areas of focus for the team at Bristows LLP, which regularly acts for large multinationals. Joint managing partner Marek Petecki advised AstraZeneca on the $300m sale of the European commercial rights to its Seloken heart medicines, as well as on the disposal of its early-stage rare disease drugs; Louise Eldridge acted for Ferroglobe on its acquisition of manganese alloy plants in France and Norway from Glencore; and practice head Iain Redford assisted WPP with the £60m acquisition of Design Bridge. The team is also noted for its work for early-stage growth businesses, entrepreneurs and SMEs: recent highlights include Mark Hawes advising UK biotech NuCana on the UK aspects of its $114m IPO of American depositary shares on NASDAQ, and Matt Dennis acting for OXIS Energy, a battery cell company, on four financing rounds. Key clients include Diageo, Cronin, Canon and Amazon. Of counsel David Horner is also noted.

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London: Dispute resolution

Commercial litigation

Commercial litigation - ranked: tier 5

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP 'stands out as a client-focused firm that goes the extra mile to understand its clients' commercial needs'. The practice is known for complex IT disputes and commercial claims involving confidentiality and contracts for the licensing and exploitation of IP.  It is also increasingly active in disputes work for financial services businesses.   Mark Brown is team head while Anna Cook 'tailors advice and strategic suggestions to clients' requirements'. Kevin Appleton, Jeremy Blum, Angela Fouracre and Simon Clark are also names to note.

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Competition litigation

Competition litigation - ranked: tier 3

Bristows LLP

Boutique IP firm Bristows LLP stands out for its 'exceptional strength' at the overlap between IP and competition law, for which the 'seriously clever' team is noted for its 'creative' approach to competition damages cases. The group is led by 'extremely knowledgeable' Pat Treacy, who is ably supported by Sophie Lawrance and Stephen Smith. The group continues to defend Google in a High Court action brought by Foundem following the European Commission's decision concerning the client's online search function. In another highlight, it represented Samsung in relation to the competition law aspects of a major dispute with Unwired Planet and Ericsson involving FRAND value for essential patents. Life sciences competition law expert Marie Manley departed to Sidley Austin LLP in February 2018.

Leading individuals

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London: Private client

Charities and not-for-profit

Charities and not-for-profit - ranked: tier 4

Bristows LLP

The ‘outstanding’ team at Bristows LLP  is known for its particular expertise in advising charities operating principally in the science, engineering and technology sector as well as in the arts and culture arena. It has particular strength in advising charities on all the legal aspects relating to medical research. The ‘brilliant’ Mark Hawes  shows ‘forensic attention to detail and to strategy’ and Miranda Cass  is recommended for her specialism in advising charities on the various taxation issues that they face. Robert Bond serves as a trustee of the South West Grid for Learning – the firm advises it on various commercial, IP/IT and data protection issues. Clients says that Bond ‘has provided exceptional support and advice in particular in relation to data protection and GDPR’. Other key clients include Alzheimer’s Research UK.

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London: Real estate

Commercial property

Commercial property: corporate occupiers - ranked: tier 3

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP provides ‘consistently high-quality service’ and ‘works hard to understand its client’s objectives’, which makes the real estate team ‘really stand out’ in corporate occupier issues and property portfolio management. Landlord side work has seen department head Teresa Edmund acting for The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn in relation to multiple letting and renewal transactions, while tenant instructions include advising Schibsted Products & Technology UK on the acquisition and fit-out of its new UK HQ at Oxford Street. Similarly, Edmund acted for Euronext London in connection with the taking of its new London HQ at Cannon Street, and also advised Dimension Data Network Services on its new ten-year lease of an office at Fleet Place in London. Also recommended is senior associate Tim Allen, who has proven ‘invaluable in lease negotiations on a tight timeframe’.

Next generation lawyers

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London: Risk advisory

Data protection privacy and cybersecurity

Data protection privacy and cybersecurity - ranked: tier 1

Bristows LLP

The experienced data protection team at Bristows LLP frequently handles complex compliance and strategic matters as well as investigations, breaches and contentious issues. The group, led by Mark Watts, is acting for Google's DeepMind in relation to investigations by the ICO of Royal Free's use of the client's technology. The team is also advising the same client on privacy aspects of the deployment of the technology in other NHS hospitals, as well as on GDPR compliance. The group is a popular choice for US-based companies, and advises on GDPR preparation for McKinsey Consulting, Kimberly-Clark and Tennant Corporation on compliance projects. Other key names to note in this area are Christopher Millard — who is recommended particularly for advice within the technology and communication sectors — Robert Bond, who joined the team from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, and associate Hannah Crowther.

Leading individuals

Next generation lawyers

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London: TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Brand management

Brand management - ranked: tier 1

Bristows LLP

According to one client Bristows LLP  is ‘very much the go-to firm for brand management’.  The practice handles all aspects of brand protection and enforcement, global trademark portfolio management, and advertising and sponsorship agreements. Head of advertising Paul Jordan recently assisted Royal Mail Group on advertising regulatory matters, copy clearance, prize promotions and campaigns including special edition Star Wars and David Bowie stamps; he is also acting for McDonald’s in relation to its UK trade mark portfolio and corresponding opposition against The Scottish Salmon Company in relation to its application to register the trademark MacSALMON. Jeremy Blum  advises on contentious matters involving trademarks and design and is ‘very good on strategy, tactics and detail’; he continues to represents Mondelez in the UK Court of Appeal and European IP courts in relation to trademark opposition proceeding arising  Nestlé's application to trademark the shape of the four-finger Kit Kat. Ian Gruselle leads the trademark group and provides ‘clear and concise advice coupled with practical experience and expertise in trademarks across various jurisdictions’; his team currently manages Fat Face's worldwide trademark portfolio and Dentsply Sirona EU trade mark portfolio including corresponding oppositions against third parties in several trademark offices. Simon Clark acts for deVOL Kitchens in High Court proceedings in relation to several claims of unregistered design right infringement and a claim for registered design infringement. Andy Butcher and Sean Ibbetson are recommended for advertising and marketing work. Sacha Wilson joined Harbottle & Lewis LLP.

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IT and telecoms

IT and telecoms - ranked: tier 1

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP's 'very strong' practice represents clients such as British Airways, Dropbox, Sony and Telenor. Head of IT Mark Watts is leading a team acting for Amazon Web Services on negotiating and agreeing complex contracts for the provision of the client's IT infrastructure and cloud-based services to well-known companies, including those is regulated industries. The group is defending Chinese telecoms company ZTE in alleged patent infringment and FRAND declaration proceedings brought by Conversant. It also represented Google and Samsung against Unwired Planet in patent infringement allegations, which were successfully settled. Other work highlights include advising Spotify on advertising technology and regulatory developments. 'Brilliant lawyer' Toby Crick is highlighted for his 'exceptional know how and negotiation skills' and jointly heads the telecoms team alongside patent litigator Myles Jelf. Digital media expert Adrian Sim attracts praise for his 'excellent client manner'. Other key contacts include disputes expert Anna Cook and Angela Fouracre, who was promoted to the partnership.

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Intellectual property

Intellectual property - ranked: tier 1

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP  has been described as 'undoubtedly one of the leading IP firms' and attracts praise for its 'strong legal and technical expertise'. The group is highlighted by one client as the '‘go to’ firm for cost-effective patent litigation in all areas of technology', and was recently instructed by Varian in its global patent dispute with Elekta. Myles Jelf (who 'never fails to impress') led this matter and jointly heads the contentious patents team alongside the 'brilliant, calm and optimistic' Brian Cordery. In another work highlight, the 'exceptionally good' Dominic Adair led a team defending Edgewell Personal Care Company in allegations of patent infringement brought by Gillette. The department has also been instructed by ZTE in a dispute concerning patent infringement allegations and FRAND declarations. Beyond patent litigation, the team, instructed by Mondelez, successfully opposed Nestlé's trademark application for the shape of the four finger KitKat in a matter headed by Jeremy Blum. The department is also instructed by other well-known brands such as Samsung, Philips, LVMH and Johnson & Johnson. Key names to note include head of commercial IP Matthew Warren and head of brands Paul Walsh. The firm's 'consistently excellent service' was further bolstered by the arrivals of Ian Gruselle and Simon Clark from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP; they head up the firm's dedicated trade mark portfolio and copyright practices respectively. Greg Bacon and Gemma Barrett were promoted to the partnership.

Leading individuals

Next generation lawyers

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Media and entertainment (including media finance)

Media and entertainment (including media finance) - ranked: tier 2

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP regularly handles non-contentious instructions across IP, commercial, publishing, licensing, digital rights, privacy, digital marketing and social networking arrangements, competition and M&A matters; and on the contentious side, it handles copyright, trade mark, advertising, and regulatory matters for major brands. Advertising and marketing, gaming, social media, interactive media, publishing, music, film and TV are key areas of focus. Paul Jordan is active across advertising, marketing, publishing and TV work and advises Guardian News & Media on advertising compliance. His recent highlights included acting for Carnival and P&O Cruises on its contract with entertainer and presenter Stephen Mulhern and singer Jonathan Wilkes; and advising British American Tobacco on UK legislative and regulatory restrictions on e-cigarette advertising. Mark Brown acts for a number of digital media clients on contentious issues and IP rights; he is representing gaming software developer Activision Blizzard on a case against Bossland for copyright infringement and breach of contract. Other key figures include Mark Watts, who advises Diageo on its digital marketing arrangements; Myles Jelf, who regularly advises computer games and media clients; Iain Redford, who is experienced in advertising and marketing work; and Matt Dennis, who handles media and sports-sector transactions. IP litigator Simon Clark and head of trade mark portfolios Ian Gruselle joined in 2017 from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. Associates Sean Ibbetson and Andrew Butcher are also key members of the team. Sacha Wilson joined Harbottle & Lewis LLP in 2018.

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PATMA: Trade mark attorneys

PATMA: Trade mark attorneys - ranked: tier 2

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP runs the gamut of trade mark work, with clients that include McDonald's, Diageo and Thomas Pink. Practice co-head Paul Walsh recently advised Mondelēz on its dispute with Poundland regarding the similarity between the former's Toblerone and the latter's Twin Peaks chocolate bar. Fellow practice head Ian Gruselle managed the global trade mark portfolios respectively for The Financial Times, Dentsply Sirona and BAFTA. Jeremy Blum advised Mondelēz on opposing Nestlé's registration of the four-finger shape of its Kit Kat snacks, and assisted Cartier with preventing the sale of counterfeit Cartier jewellery at a London auction house. Also recommended are Paul Jordan, who has been managing the trade mark portfolio of Royal Mail, and Simon Clark, who is an expert in trade mark designs and litigation.

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Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology - ranked: tier 1

Bristows LLP

The 'excellent' and 'client-focused' Bristows LLP has a strong reputation in patent litigation, but also works on matters involving transactions, regulations and competition. The practice is headed by patent litigator Liz Cohen and transactions specialist Laura Anderson. Brian Cordery is head of patent litigation and very active in this space. He was instructed by Teva in patent revocation proceedings brought by Eli Lilly relating to humanised antibodies, which may be used for a landmark treatment of migraines. Other important  contentious IP specialists include Edward Nodder, Robert Burrows and Dominic Adair. Burrows defended Janssen Sciences and G.D. Searle against a revocation brought by Sandoz and Hexal relating to darunavir, which is a key ingredient in Janssen's anti-HIV drug Prezista. Also recommended are corporate specialist Marek Petecki, who assisted AstraZeneca with its $300m sale of the European commercial rights to its Seloken heart medication to Recordati, and senior associate Rachel Mumby, who focuses on patent litigation.

Next generation lawyers

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