John Groom > Baker McKenzie > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Baker McKenzie is well positioned to advise social media and technology giants with music-related matters, covering both IP and contractual issues. The team also handles M&A, employment and litigation matters for music adjacent clients, and has recently assisted with music catalogue deals and AI-related issues. Department head Ben Allgrove – noted for his expertise across digital media – advises on a range of IP and technology issues, including digital music distribution and copyright disputes. William Holder focuses on corporate matters within the TMT sector, including acquisitions and sales in the music industry. John Groom is another name to note for non-contentious music mandates.

Baker McKenzie covers the full gamut of trade mark, copyright, and design mandates, being active across a multitude of sectors from fashion and consumer goods to technology and financial services. The practice is steered by Ben Allgrove, who enjoys a strong grounding in copyright, AI, and intermediary liability, Jessica Le Gros, who is highly experienced at managing brand clearance and trade mark issues for a panoply of clients, and Rachael Wilkinson-Duffy, who strengthens the team with her contentious capabilities. Other names to note include John Groom, Julia Dickenson, and Natalie Ellerby.

The ‘highly experienced, fast and reliable’ team at Baker McKenzie LLP has a strong presence in the digital content and social media spaces, assisting major social media platforms, gaming clients, content companies and other global corporate entities with an array of contentious and non-contentious matters. Generative AI and online safety issues are key areas of expertise for the team, which is also proficient in compliance mandates concerning the Digital Services Act (DSA). Practice head and chief innovation officer Ben Allgrove focuses on advising digital media and intermediary platform clients on a host of matters, including regulatory issues, digital commerce as well as digital and consumer disputes. John Groom concentrates on copyright matters, online regulations and new technologies – such as AI and interactive content. Josh Boyden assists with matters relating to new technology regulation.

Counting global technology conglomerates and major AI research laboratories amongst its key clients, Baker McKenzie LLP has ‘in-depth knowledge’ in all aspects of AI-related governance, data acquisition, and IP matters. Headed by the trio of Sue McLean, Vinod Bange and chief innovation officer Ben Allgrove, the practice has experience in advising on dispute relating to the training of large language models. The ‘creative, strategic’ Allgrove is a specialist in the music industry, McLean is knowledgeable on complex technology and commercial deals, while Bange is an expert on data privacy and regulatory matters. John Groom primarily focuses on copyright and digital media issues, and Julia Hemmings concentrates on e-commerce and marketing affairs.

Covering complex disputes, regulatory issues, strategic M&A and commercial contracts, Baker McKenzie retains its powerful position, advising some of the largest names in social media, technology and AI. The team also remains at the forefront of trends in the market, working with major social media platforms on responses to government investigations concerning the use of generative AI. Ben Allgrove notably advises on digital media and intermediary platforms. Steve Holmes has significant experience in major life sciences, technology, outsourcing, telecommunications and digital transactions. Kate Alexander is an expert in cross-border tax structuring, while Will Holder focuses on M&A, leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, and private equity transactions within the TMT sector. Kim Sartin boasts HR and employment capabilities, while John Groom advises on copyright and digital regulation, including in high-stakes disputes. Sue McLean advises on cloud, outsourcing, digital transformation and development and licensing, and has a significant strength in AI issues.