David Kerr > Harper Macleod LLP > Glasgow, United Kingdom > Lawyer Profile

Harper Macleod LLP ‘puts forward an incredibly strong and accessible offering, capable of going toe to toe on a client’s behalf in any adversarial situation’. Key areas of expertise include contractual disputes and shareholder litigation, in addition to issues arising from post-M&A transactions. Praised as ‘one of Scotland’s leading commercial litigators’, Sandy Hastie heads the practice from the firm’s office in Edinburgh, while ‘standout partner’ David Kerr spearheads the team in Glasgow. Other key contacts in the group include John McHugh and Laura McCorquodale, who both operate from the Edinburgh office, as well as the Glasgow-based E-Ming Fong.

Embedded in the firm’s overall dispute resolution offering, the professional negligence practice at Harper Macleod LLP has a strong track record pursuing claims against financial services, accountancy and legal professionals. The team is also regularly instructed to act against insurers. The ‘outstanding team’ is jointly led by Sandy Hastie and David Kerr, and includes John McHugh and Laura McCorquodale; McHugh and McCorquodale are frequently instructed to assist with high-value, complex matters across the construction sector. Also in the core team are litigators Andrew MacKenzie and E-Ming Fong as well as associate Adam de Ste Croix.

Harper Macleod LLP assists a wide range of blue-chip media organisations, governing bodies and high-profile individuals with both contentious and non-contentious matters. The team is led by the Edinburgh-based IP and cybersecurity specialist Jamie Watt, who is renowned for his expertise in the music sector and cross-border capabilities. Tom Thomas‘ commercial knowhow spans film and television production and location agreements, in addition to sports broadcasting rights arrangements, while James McMorrow‘s experience includes film production funding and location matters. In the contentious space, David Kerr‘s recent work involves advising public broadcasters on breach of contract and defamation issues. All named individuals are based in Glasgow unless noted otherwise.

Harper Macleod LLP is renowned for its contentious and non-contentious capabilities across the entire spectrum of sports law matters, translating into regular instructions from leading international federations and governing bodies, in addition to high-profile sports clubs, individuals and representatives. Department head Bruce Caldow is noted for his expertise in regulatory, governance and disciplinary issues; the latter is an area in which senior partner Lorne Crerar further excels. Tom Thomas concentrates on broadcasting, sponsorship and IP rights matters, where the Edinburgh-based Jamie Watt is also an essential contact, for major cycling championships and football leagues, while Carolyn Morgan oversees receipts of complaint in the sport of gymnastics. Other recommended individuals include David Kerr, an expert in football disputes before the SFA Panel, and senior solicitor Andrew Maxwell, an active figure in the sport of cricket. All named individuals are named in Glasgow unless noted otherwise.