Jeremy Drew > RPC > London, England > Lawyer Profile

RPC leverages its expertise in sports, esports, digital and technology matters to handle commercial, intellectual property, data and disputes work. Jeremy Drew co-heads the practice and is a key contact for sports database rights disputes.  Fellow co-head Josh Charalambous assists sports betting companies, B2B betting technology providers, and brands with a wide variety of gaming and betting mandates.

Noted for its ‘ability to navigate complex legal and regulatory issues’, RPC’s areas of expertise include IP disputes, global trade mark portfolio management, as well as recent involvement in copyright infringement claims. The team is particularly active in the retail, tech, media and sport sectors. Co-lead and ‘great strategist’ Jeremy Drew is well-versed in both contentious and non-contentious IP, and fellow co-head David Cran strengthens the team with his capabilities across a broad array of sectors, from telecoms to retail. ‘Highly pragmatic’ Ciara Cullen has represented various clients in disputes, with particular experience in the food and drink and retail arenas. ‘Hard-working and talented’ Ben Mark’s strengths lie in handling trade marks and passing off matters.

The cross-practice governance group at RPC is led by Patrick Brodie, Jeremy Drew and Matthew Griffith and advises on a range of issues, from board-level matters to remuneration policies, regulatory issues, data protection and diversity. It has a strong investigations practice which advises on high-profile contentious issues and related governance matters and is particularly strong in financial crime. Brodie is recommended for reputation management and regulatory governance, Drew deals with governance, culture and conduct issues, and Griffith is a name for regulatory and post-Brexit issues with a focus on the insurance and financial services sectors. Sam Tate is a contact for white-collar crime and anti-bribery and anti-money laundering initiatives, while Karen Hendy advises on corporate governance, directors’ duties and AGM matters.

RPC advises on technology contracts, outsourcing matters, regulatory issues, fund raising mandates and M&A transactions, in addition to technology-related disputes. The practice is also able to assist clients on innovative projects, with industry knowledge in emerging technologies, such as NFTs, AI and InsurTech. Jeremy Drew, who advises on contentious and non-contentious technology matters, jointly leads the team alongside Mark Crichard, who focuses on mandates concerning procurement and outsourcing. Tom Purton is well-versed in commercial contracts, while Charles Buckworth is handles fintech matters. The team was bolstered in 2022 by the arrival of specialist tech litigator Helen Armstrong from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.

RPC acts for leading digital platforms, insurance providers and retail businesses on matters relating to media, tech and outsourcing. On the contentious side the team handles disputes while non-contentious work involves providing regulatory advice, commercial agreements and acquisitions. Jeremy Drew is experienced in representing large tech platforms and leads the team while Oliver Bray has market-leading expertise in digital, consumer and advertising. Disputes lawyer David Cran  is experienced in arbitration with support from Keith Mathieson who is involved in media defence. Mark Crichard advises on complex tech and outsourcing contracts. SSSpecialist tech litigator Helen Armstrong has added strength on the contentious side since her arrival from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in 2022.

RPC‘s sports group and commercial division chief Jeremy Drew is a key contact for a range of clients – including rugby teams, sports data companies, sports investors, sports consultancy companies and football clubs – on a diverse array of matters that includes litigations and commercial agreements. Oliver Bray works with social media clients on issues that intersect social media with sport. Tax specialists Adam Craggs and Michelle Sloane support Drew in advising clients, such as football clubs, on contentious tax matters concerning player transfers and agent fees. Josh Charalambous is a key name to note at the junior end, while Samuel Coppard focuses on soft IP infringement issues in the sports sector.

Fielding a ‘group with real sector expertise‘, RPC runs the gamut of contentious, advisory, and cross-border retail matters. The team is regularly instructed by clients from a broad range of industries, with an emphasis on the fashion and beauty, as well as the food and beverage sectors. Karen Hendy and Jeremy Drew jointly head up the practice; the former advises listed companies and their subsidiaries, with notable expertise in distressed purchases and acquisitions, while the latter is the key contact for multi-jurisdictional arbitrations, as well as for contentious and non-contentious intellectual property mandates. ‘Standout’ Ciara Cullen oversees the firm’s food and drink sub-group, and is an experienced intellectual property and technology specialist with a particular focus on sustainability, and consumer regulations and compliance. Simon Edwards is recommended for his commercial contract negotiation expertise. 2023 saw IP specialist Sarah Mountain and banking and finance specialist Edward Colville promoted to the partnership.