The Legal 500

London: Corporate and commercial

Commercial contracts

Commercial contracts - ranked: tier 6

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP is praised for providing advice that is ‘relevant and pragmatic, taking into account the value risk and nature of the contract’. The firm has a strong track record in commercial matters that have a significant brands, technology or intellectual property overlay. Although it acts for clients across a range of industries, it is particularly active in sectors such as TMT, life sciences and pharmaceuticals. Adrian Sim, Kevin Appleton and others recently acted for Capgemini in a number of outsourcings and other transformational projects, and have been advising the client on the development of robotic process automation and its provision in the finance and accounting outsourcing market. In another matter, Laura Anderson and Marek Petecki advised Diageo on a joint venture with entrepreneur Piers Adam to develop a new whisky brand, Copper Dog, among other matters. Also recommended are Toby Crick, who is ‘a lawyer you want in your corner on all deals’, Matthew Warren, Fiona Nicolson and the ‘technically excellent’ Vikram Khurana. Anna Cook joined from RPC, while Robert Bond joined with a team from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP.

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EU and competition

EU and competition - ranked: tier 4

Bristows LLP

The ‘responsive’ and ‘commercially-focused’ team at Bristows LLP is 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 Laboratoires Servier. Practice head Pat Treacy is advising longstanding client Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe on resisting a potential interim injunction application in relation to abuse of dominance allegations, while Stephen Smith (who joined from RPC, is providing strategic advice to the British Brands Group in relation to the operation of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice. Other recent work includes advising Denon and Marantz in respect of the European Commission’s investigation into suspected anti-competitive practices in the EU. Treacy and newly made-up partner Sophie Lawrance provide ‘highly bespoke advice in a measured and digestible way’; they are praised for their ‘in-depth knowledge’ of the TMT and IP sectors.

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M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m

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

Bristows LLP

Commended for its ‘excellent service’ and ‘good value for money’, Bristows LLP’s department is strong in the TMT and life sciences sectors; it also has notable experience in the consumer goods space. Life sciences expert Mark Hawes, who heads the group, acted for Albireo on its NASDAQ listing and its $200m reverse merger with Biodel. The ‘highly responsive, commercial’ Marek Petecki is a ‘standout partner’ who ‘finds and communicates practicable solutions to issues, and tailors his work carefully’; he is noted for his strength in M&A involving IP and technology. Petecki’s highlights included advising AstraZeneca on the £135m sale of its pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Avonmouth to Avara, and assisted Diageo with its acquisition of a stake in a joint venture established by Piers Adam to develop a new whisky brand. The ‘very commercial’ Iain Redford is an ‘excellent business strategist’; he advised WPP on its purchase of System Analytic and of Exchange Lab. Louise Eldridge acted for King.com on its investment in Midoki, while Matt Dennis assisted Blackboard with its purchase of Fronteer. Other clients of the practice include UCL Business, Freeview, Capgemini and Time Out. ‘Efficient, communicative’ associate Charles Willison is a ‘very good operator’.

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Partnership

Partnership - ranked: tier 5

Bristows LLP

The ‘partner-led’ practice group at Bristows LLP has ‘good expertise in the area of partnership’, acting for investment partnerships and professional partnerships. Joint department head Iain Redford specialises in investment partnerships and also has particular expertise in refinancing partnerships. In 2016, he acted for multiple individual members in relation to the sale of their LLP. Joint practice head Marek Petecki ‘combines detailed knowledge of partnership law with business acumen’ and is instructed by a range of corporates and investment clients. Louise Eldridge is another key contact in the department and is instructed by two LLC subsidiaries of a US client on the establishment of two UK-based LLPs.

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London: Dispute resolution

Commercial litigation

Commercial litigation - ranked: tier 5

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP’s ‘lawyers are excellent; they are consistently responsive and the quality of their legal advice is top drawer’. The commercial and technology disputes team promoted Angela Fouracre, who ‘impresses with the high quality of her work’, and Anna Cook, who is ‘extremely able and commercial’, to the partnership. It has particular industry sector expertise in IT, consumer products and life sciences, and has recently grown its practice in both disputes relating to the misuse of confidential information and the work it handles for financial services businesses. The team also regularly acts in cross-border Russian and CIS-related litigation and arbitration. Mark Brown is’ very thorough and sharp in his analysis’; Kevin Appleton is ‘an experienced commercial litigation lawyer with deep understanding of cases and clients’ concerns’; and Jeremy Blum ‘shows impressive dedication to his work’.

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Competition litigation

Competition litigation - ranked: tier 3

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP runs ‘a first-rate competition practice in the areas of IP and pharmaceuticals’ and has thus been able to arguably ‘hoover up all the best competition cases in those sectors’. Indeed, ‘instinctive litigator’ Pat Treacy successfully defended Google in High Court proceedings regarding the client’s dominant position in the area of online mapping. Additionally, Treacy and Sophie Lawrance acted for Google in the high-profile claims regarding the client’s practice of online shopping and price comparison services. The team also represented Samsung Electronics in a dispute with Unwired Planet and Ericsson alleging abuse of dominance and the novel issue of patent privateering. In the pharmaceutical space, the department acted for Napp Pharmaceuticals in High Court and judicial review proceedings against the NHS Commercial Medicines Unit in relation to the procurement of an anti-inflammatory medicine. Additional clients include Les Laboratoires Servier, IPCom and Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe.

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London: Human resources

Employment: employers and senior executives

Employment: employers - ranked: tier 7

Bristows LLP

The ‘thorough, professional, measured and reliable’ group at Bristows LLP is regularly called on to handle the employment aspects of corporate transactions. Of counsel Justin Costley advised on the global employment aspects of WPP’s acquisition of Essence Digital. Costley and ‘well-informed’ of counsel Lidia Poczok have been assisting Capgemini with TUPE issues, as well as redundancy and restructuring matters. Costley and Poczok jointly head the team following Linda Farrell stepping down from partnership. The group’s client base includes Blue Diamond Group, Movember and Diageo.

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London: Private client

Charities and not-for-profit

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

Bristows LLP

At Bristows LLP, the ‘interaction between all members of the charity division and the firm as a whole is superb. The group consistently provides prompt, professional and meticulous advice, and importantly it is always willing to listen’. Mark Hawes is noted for his ‘grace and diplomacy in keeping everyone informed, aligned and chipper’, and fellow practice head Miranda Cass is ‘somehow able to make light work of tax and VAT issues, deftly explaining the position to clients and then providing practical options that add value’. On the employment side, the ‘unwaveringly brilliant’ Justin Costley produces ‘practical solutions and suggestions no matter how complex the matter’. Highlights included advising on the establishment of Secondary1st, a new high-profile charity focused on secondary breast cancer.

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London: Real estate

Commercial property

Commercial property: general - ranked: tier 5

Bristows LLP

Commercial property: investment - ranked: tier 4

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP offers ‘pragmatic and business orientated advice, which demonstrates expert knowledge and focuses on material issues’. ‘Very professional’ head of practice Teresa Edmund operates across a range of sectors including TMT, life sciences and garden-centre retail; in the latter area she advised Blue Diamond on the acquisition of the land and assets of Harlow Garden Centre. Edmund was also active for key client The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, which she advised on the re-development and pre-letting of 11 Stone Buildings to Edwin Coe LLP. The other key contact is Alexandra Lethbridge, who co-heads the practice with Edmund; she continues to act for Kodak Alaris on its partnering arrangement with Land Securities to deliver the phased redevelopment of its production facility in Harrow. Senior associate Tim Allen ‘demonstrates good business acumen and avoids over-labouring minor points’.

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

‘One of the best firms in the area’, Bristows LLP has an ‘excellent’ department, which is ‘technically strong, extremely responsive and highly considerate of the client’s needs’. The firm’s contentious strength (in areas including data breaches) sits alongside substantial expertise in global compliance programmes and privacy issues. It advised Google in the EU and US on the development and implementation of a GDPR strategy, and is assisting Samsung Electronics in relation to the data protection elements of its digital marketing operations. Other recent highlights include advising Facebook on its entry into the EU-US Privacy Shield, and acting for NBC Universal and Comcast on the development of a global data compliance programme. IBM, Amazon Web Services, British Airways and Dolby are also clients. Mark Watts, who has ‘incredible knowledge which he applies in a highly commercial way’, leads the team, which was recently bolstered by the arrival of Robert Bond and his team from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP. Of counsel Christopher Millard and Hannah Crowther are also recommended.

Leading individuals

Next generation lawyers

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London: TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Brand management

Brand management - ranked: tier 1

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP further strengthened its already well-respected brand management capability with the recruitment of IP litigator Simon Clark and trade mark specialist Ian Gruselle, along with six other practitioners from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. The ‘professional, strategic and commercial’ team is particularly strong at advising major brands and agencies on the legality of advertising campaigns and sales promotions as well as comparative advertising and contentious matters. Paul Jordan, who heads the advertising and marketing practice, is acting alongside Paul Walsh for WPP on the management of its worldwide trade mark portfolio; in 2016, they assisted on clearance searches regarding a global rebranding and handled trade mark infringement and domain name disputes. Jordan’s other highlights included advising Paramount Pictures on music licensing requirements and copyright issues relating to live streamed and online availability of movies; advising British American Tobacco on its compliance with the UK’s e-cigarette advertising restrictions relating to the promotion of its new e-cigarette product, Pebble; and assisting Royal Mail Group with advertising copy clearance issues. IP disputes specialist Jeremy Blum focuses on brand and IP enforcement. Senior associate Sacha Wilson has notable experience in sponsorship, digital advertising, ad-tech developments and associated regulatory issues. Associate Andrew Butcher and Remya Jayakkar are ‘knowledgeable and commercially-minded’.

Next generation lawyers

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IT and telecoms

IT and telecoms - ranked: tier 1

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP handles a range of matters in the IT and telecoms space, and acts for clients including IBM, Capgemini and Sony. Toby Crick, who focuses on technology, communications and outsourcing matters, and commercial IT head Mark Watts, who is an expert on IT, outsourcing and data protection matters, are advising Bupa on its ongoing digital transformation strategy. Myles Jelf has core strengths in telecoms technology litigation, he defended Google and Samsung in a high-profile dispute with Unwired Planet pertaining to alleged patent infringement. Adrian Sim specialises in multi-jurisdictional deals, frequently advising Capgemini. Anna Cook, who recently made partner, is a key name for complex IT litigation. Robert Bond is an expert in data protection matters and Kevin Appleton leads the commercial disputes group and has a strong track record in IT-related litigation.

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Intellectual property

Intellectual property - ranked: tier 1

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP’s team is ‘top of the field in all IP matters’. The firm has a highly diverse IP practice and focuses predominantly on the life sciences and TMT sectors. It is known for its ‘hands-on approach’, and its impressive client roster includes AstraZeneca, Novartis, and Samsung. Brian Cordery is ‘energetic’ and ‘hugely respected among clients, competitors, barristers and the judges’; he jointly heads the IP litigation team with Myles Jelf, who is ‘a leading light’ in the TMT sector. The team has ‘a wealth of experience’ in patent litigation, and includes ‘exceptionally able litigators’ Robert Burrows, who is ‘highly intelligent’ and ‘well- placed to handle complex and difficult litigation in the life science sector’, and the ‘extremely bright’ and ‘absolutely committed’ Andrew Bowler. Patent litigator Liz Cohen also specialises in life sciences, where her clients include Celltrion and Smith & Nephew. Matthew Warren, who is head of commercial IP, has particular expertise in emerging technology. Head of brands Paul Walsh, alongside Jeremy Blum, recently represented Mondelēz in opposing Nestlé’s application to the UK trade marks registry to register the four finger shape of the KitKat as a trade mark. Laura Anderson and Fiona Nicolson specialise in transactional IP.

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Media and entertainment (including media finance)

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

Bristows LLP

‘Plugged into the media sector’, Bristows LLP has wide-ranging expertise in contentious and non-contentious matters covering copyright, trade mark, advertising, marketing, gaming, music, publishing, film, TV, social media and interactive media. It is advising Paramount Pictures on music licensing and copyright in relation to music played over Paramount’s live streamed film premieres of the latest Star Trek and Jack Reacher films. It is also defending Google in litigation against a group of internet users related to alleged tracking activity and targeted advertising. The team also handles advertising compliance matters for Guardian Media Group. WPP, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe, Blizzard Entertainment and BBC are also clients. Key figures include Myles Jelf, who acts for a range of computer games and media clients; Paul Jordan, who is experienced in advertising, marketing, publishing and TV; Iain Redford, who handles advertising and marketing sector mandates; and senior associate Sacha Wilson, who has ‘great technical understanding’ and handles advertising and digital media matters.

Next generation lawyers

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PATMA: Trade mark attorneys

PATMA: Trade mark attorneys - ranked: tier 2

Bristows LLP (London)

Bristows LLP further enhanced its trade mark capability with the hire of three trade mark attorneys from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, including Ian Gruselle, who has notable experience in handling global portfolio management. It has a fully-integrated team of trade mark attorneys and solicitors, enabling the group to advise on the full range of trade mark work, with particular expertise in contentious issues including trade mark registry disputes and litigation. Paul Walsh heads the ‘excellent’ team, which includes litigators Paul Jordan and Jeremy Blum. Jordan continues to manage the UK trade mark portfolio for McDonald’s, and is acting in a trade mark opposition against The Scottish Salmon Company, which has applied to register the mark MacSalmon; he is also assisting Royal Mail Group with its worldwide trade mark portfolio. Walsh’s recent highlights include assisting a British-headquartered multinational on UK and EUTM clearance searches, and on a number of EU design invalidation actions arising from a dispute with a major competitor.

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Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology - ranked: tier 1

Bristows LLP

According to one client, Bristows LLP is ‘the complete package’. The firms advises on the full remit of IP, with an emphasis on patent litigation, as well as transactional, regulatory, competition and contentious matters for high-profile clients across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices indistries. It also has particular expertise advising charities and other not-for-profit organisations on fundraising, collaborations, licensing transactions and corporate governance. Leveraging its strong expertise in the areas of IT, digital communications and data privacy, the firm is regularly called on by clients to advise on matters at the intersection between life sciences and technology; highlights included advising a number of med-tech companies on new collaborations, product launches and regulatory compliance. In another illustration of its reputation in the market, the team continues to assist Novartis with the enforcement of patents for its blockbuster medicines. I also assisted biosimilar manufacturer Celltrion with its action to revoke three European and UK patents belonging to Biogen, F Hoffman La Roche and Genentech, relating to the use of a chimeric anti CD20 antibody for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and rheumatoid arthritis; and advised AstraZeneca on the sale to Avara of its pharmaceutical manufacturing business and facility in Avonmouth, Bristol. Laura Anderson is an ‘excellent negotiator and influencer and a pleasure to work with’ and jointly heads the group with patent litigator Liz Cohen. Maria Manley is ‘a tenacious litigator who always strives to obtain the best for her clients’. Corporate partners Mark Hawes and Marek Petecki, competition specialist Pat Treacy, Unified Patent Court (UPC) expert Edward Nodder and associate Rachel Mumby are also recommended.

Leading individuals

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