James Cook > Slaughter and May > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Slaughter and May advises major technology-based businesses and emerging companies on the full range of technology matters. These include transactions, regulatory and competition issues, licensing strategies, outsourcing and transformation projects, platform redevelopments, IT disputes, and blockchain, AI and cyber matters . The team also has expertise in the telecoms space, handling network set-up and sharing, connectivity and fibre arrangements, physical and virtual data centres, and tower infrastructure. Practice group head Rob Sumroy is praised as an ‘exceptional practitioner’ who handles major commercial licensing and procurement transactions, as well as technology disputes. Of recent note is his experience in assisting clients with emerging disruptive technologies, including AI and blockchain, fintech, cyber, and e-commerce issues. David Ives has clients in both the private and public sectors, and advises on outsourcing and software matters, and complex IT systems separation projects. Duncan Blaikie specialises in strategic technology and telecoms procurement and licensing arrangements, while corporate lawyer Victoria MacDuff handles technology and telecoms-related commercial transactions. Laura Houston and James Cook were promoted to partner in 2021.