Rising Stars

IT and telecoms in North

Mincoffs Solicitors LLP

IT specialist Antony Hall heads up Mincoffs Solicitors LLP' Newcastle-based team. He chairs the professional services network of Dynamo North East and is a member of the Chartered Institute for IT. He is often called upon to provide strategic advice to tech clients, most notably in relation to the protection and exploitation of software and digital media as well as to all aspects of running businesses in the cloud including SaaS, PaaS, outsourcing, software licensing and distribution. The team is adept in handling a range of high-profile matters, especially in the video games and interactive media industries. Recent growth sectors include AI and robotics.

Practice head(s):

Antony Hall


Key clients

Coatsink Software Limited


Modern Milkman Limited


AMPLYFI Limited


Xbim Limited


IT Professional Services Limited


Erudus Limited


ART Health Limited


Nebula Labs Limited


Unified Software Limited


Soda IT Support Limited


Goodboy Digital Limited


Big Thursday Creative


Muckle LLP

With strength across the TMT sectors, Muckle LLP‘s IT team is comprised of litigator George Festing, handling the contentious side of the practice while practice head Alex Craig advises on non-contentious matters with intersecting expertise in tech, data and IP. Anthony Evans, Adam Rayner and Matthew Walsh advise numerous tech businesses on corporate M&A and investments with expertise in digital corporate, edtech, fintech commercial contract and information security. The group’s client portfolio spans across a variety of sectors, including automotive, food and drink, manufacturing, financial services, IT, venture capital and private equity.

Practice head(s):

Alex Craig


Other key lawyers:

George Festing; Anthony Evans; Adam Rayner; Matthew Walsh


Testimonials

‘Size, familiarity with our market, strong female partner team, good all round knowledge and clear on where their advice will stop- but then who we might want to talk to too’

‘Alex Craig- customer service, knowledge, and I feel like she wants us to be successful, is trying to find solutions that will allow our growth in a complex and highly regulated sector.’

‘The team work very quickly and efficiently, but not at the expense of service. They genuinely feel like an extension of our team due to the in-depth knowledge they have of our organisation. They look to develop a partnership with their clients, and really understand the business they are advising; that’s why we’ve had such a strong working relationship for many years.

‘In all our dealings, Alex Craig is responsive and provides considered and pragmatic advice and guidance which goes beyond just legal support. She cares about her clients and works hard to make sure they get the best experience and insight. She leads a strong team that provides us with an excellent service at all levels.’

‘George Festing offers pragmatic and solutions-focused advice, he is an excellent litigator with a deep technical and legislative knowledge. I would recommend anyone engaging in commercial litigation to instruct George.’

‘Alex Spiers always takes a through and hands on approach, combining strong legal knowledge with a practical approach to clients’ needs. You can be confident that Alex will always look for solutions to avoid disputes if possible and resolve issues in an alternative way to get the best results for her clients.’

‘The team at Muckle are always diligent, capable and engaging. Most importantly, they know when to balance commercial needs with legal judgement.’

‘The individuals we deal with are calm, capable and highly experienced. Muckle tends to offer London quality legal advice within the North East. This isn’t common.’

Key clients

Sanlam Private Investments (UK) Limited (now Atomos Investments Limited)


A County Football Association


Thunderful


Version 1 Solutions


I Portalis


Caribbean Premier League Limited (CPL)


MRI Software Limited


The Algorithm People Limited


Great North Air Ambulance


Fairstone


Parkrun


Arbor Education Partners Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Swedish game development company Thunderful Groupon in its acquisition of British development studio Jumpship Ltd.
  • Acted for leading Irish technology and digital transformation provider Version 1 on three acquisitions in the qualifying period, Evoco Digital, Instinctive BI and Automation Logic.
  • Acted for an international investment business, Sanlam Private Investments (UK) Limited (now Atomos Investments Limited) in defending a high court claim brought by a former employee alleging breaches of data protection legislation, confidence and privacy.

Ward Hadaway LLP

The Newcastle-based IT team at Ward Hadaway LLP is led by Damien Charlton and provides nationally and multijurisdictional advice in both the public and private sectors acting on behalf of major suppliers, especially in technology-inherent privacy issues. With a previous career in IT, Judy Baker ‘is a deep subject matter expert with a real passion for her specialism. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her breadth of knowledge is commendable.' Phil Tompkins has expertise in all aspects of IT law including advising on smart metering, connected vehicles, electric vehicles batteries, cloud software solutions and licensing. Tim Toomey is the key name for IT disputes. Matthew Cormack was named partner in May 2022.

Practice head(s):

Damien Charlton


Other key lawyers:

Judy Baker; Phil Tompkins; Tim Toomey; Matthew Cormack


Testimonials

‘Detailed knowledge of subject matter, willingness to assist discrete tasks and push progress, organized summaries and risk analysis.’

‘Judy Baker is very knowledgeable, very organized, and takes time to understand her clients’ needs.’

‘They are very focused on our success. Even though our company is in Canada, with big time differences, Ward Hadaway works hard to make it easy for us to succeed.’

‘We have been working with Judy Baker for some time now. Judy does the research, comes up with the solution, and always ensures I am well informed. Her recommendations are always aways provided with solid rationale and facts. She is outstanding.’

‘Wide breadth of knowledge and expertise. Very responsive and helpful.’

‘The high level of expertise within the firm, their thoroughness and their ability to explain everything very clearly. This is particularly the case for Judy Baker who has in depth knowledge on data protection issues and id always very responsive and clear at communicating.’

‘The team takes time to understand their individual clients and their challenges so that they can provide relevant commercially focused advice.’

‘Judy Baker is a deep subject matter expert with a real passion for her specialism. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her breadth of knowledge is commendable. Judy always focusses on the the client’s unique circumstances when providing commercially focused but technically excellent advice on data privacy matters.’

Key clients

Bannatyne Fitness Ltd


Isagenix International LLC


JumpDEMAND Inc. t/a ActiveDEMAND


NBS Enterprises Ltd t/a NBS


One on One Sherpa LLC dba Sherpa


Work highlights


  • Advised Bannatyne Fitness on data protection and privacy issues, as well as drafting and advice on a complex IT contract.
  • Advised NBS Enterprises on data protection and IT matters, including intra-group arrangements.
  • Advised One on One Sherpa on data protection and privacy issues and drafting on customer and supplier contracts and policies.

Weightmans

Weightmans’s IT team has a long track record of working with tech companies on their formation, funding, commercialisation and ultimately successful exit. The group is frequently called upon to advise on complex tech and IT disputes, particularly on distressed IT implementation projects. Paul Wigham heads up the team which regularly acts for venture capitalists and accelerator programmes focused on technology businesses. Duncan Reid specialises in corporate transactions, including acquisitions and disposals, as well as private equity transactions. Recently, the group has seen an uptick in cyber security related advice. Marc Allison and Christopher Graham are also noted.

Practice head(s):

Paul Wigham


Other key lawyers:

Duncan Reid; Marc Allison; Christopher Graham; Nathan Bilton


Testimonials

‘Very strong at seeing the commercial points and not getting too focused on technical aspects, however able to go deep on technical expertise when required.’

‘Always available, great simple advice and able to communicate clearly. Work ethic is very strong too. Paul Wigham is exceptional, as are the team Eleanor, Nick and Rosie.’

‘They are the most commercial law team I’ve encountered. They focus on the big picture not the immaterial minutiae.’

‘Paul Wigham and Kirsty Adamson are fantastic people to work with. They take the time to completely comprehend our commercial needs and fight our corner accordingly. Always with a fun, work hard / play hard attitude.’

 

Key clients

Northstar Ventures


Hicomply Limited


Oak Engage


Perwyn Advisors UK


Maven Capital Partners


Givepanel Inc


Screenreach Interactive Limited


Redu Group


Drone AG


Altitude Angel


Lead Ventures


Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP

The practice at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP has expertise across several areas including financial services, insurance, manufacturing and chemicals. The practice is well-versed in restructuring matters and provides advice on digital services such as data transfer arrangements. Caroline Churchill advises on a range of commercial contracts including distribution, agency and franchising arrangements. She co-heads the team with Alastair Mitton who handles licensing and outsourcing issues. Sarah Daun is a privacy law expert and works on data protection matters with support from James Cooper who focuses on e-commerce.

Practice head(s):

Caroline Churchill; Alastair Mitton


Other key lawyers:

Sarah Daun; James Cooper


Testimonials

‘Sarah Daun in the Data team, as well as being an excellent lawyer, was really personable and helped develop a personalised data training programme and accompanying materials to ensure that we are able to develop best in class data compliance’

‘WBD have been able to assist in many different legal needs, from commercial contracts, to website terms and conditions, and advising on EMI schemes and shareholder agreements. Their diverse skills and high quality advice have been examplary.’

‘Caroline and James form the northern team have looked after our terms and contracts, whilst Simon has looked after our shareholder and EMI work. All have been excellent, personable and insightful in their advice and support.’

Sintons LLP

Sintons LLP’s IT team works at the intersection of intellectual property and tech, with particular sector strength in health tech. Commercial department head Karen Simms also heads up the IT team housing strong associate including Louise Weatherhead, and senior associates Chloe Dinsdale and Pippa Aitken who specialises in advising the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on licensing agreements and other commercial/IP agreements. The group is adept in advising clients in the public, private and third sector on a range of commercial projects including the protection and commercialisation of IP rights, IT contracts, SaaS Agreements, and health tech contracts.

Practice head(s):

Karen Simms


Other key lawyers:

Louise Weatherhead; Pippa Aitkin; Chloe Dinsdale


Testimonials

‘Very good service and helpful interaction’

Key clients

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Livitay Limited


Advanced Medical Simulation Online Limited


Creative Lighthouse Limited


The Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria


Healthcall Solutions Limited


Cambridge Education Group


Cockerel Software Limited


Emotional Logic Limited


Holiday Webtech Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHSFT on the exploitation of a bespoke solution for a Targeted Lung Health Check programme for which the Trust sought advice on.
  • Advised Advanced Medical Simulation Online Limited on the terms of a collaboration agreement to explore the intellectual property ownership position of an immersive VR product developed for medical training.
  • Advised Holiday WebTech Limited to prepare its SaaS terms of business for use in its service provision to leisure travel companies. The core elements of the service centred around Holiday WebTech’s superfast search technology and its use of data.