Helen Scott-Lawler > Burges Salmon LLP > Bristol, England > Lawyer Profile

Burges Salmon LLP has a broad intellectual property offering that covers strategic advice, brand enforcement, and IP litigation, and is a popular choice for high-profile clients such as the BBC and Starbucks. The Bristol-based practice is headed up by the ‘immensely commercial’ Jeremy Dickerson, who manages portfolios and acts in disputes for national and global brands from various sectors. Helen Scott-Lawler is a go-to adviser for clients in non-contentious matters, while Emily Roberts is particularly experienced in disputes, including those pertaining to breach of confidence, designs, and trade marks. Georgina Shaw left the firm for an in-house position in June 2022.

Burges Salmon LLP is active in the media and entertainment sector with a practice that remains a go-to outfit for a host of high-profile clients. The firm counts TV, film and broadcasting work among its central areas of focus, where it handles matters relating to advertising, marketing, and IP issues. Jeremy Dickerson acts as practice head and regularly advises companies in the media industry on contentious and non-contentious IP work. Transactions and commercial agreements are an area of focus for Helen Scott-Lawler, while Emily Roberts specialises in dispute resolution.

Burges Salmon LLP has considerable experience in motorsport, polo, and horseracing work. Under the leadership of Jeremy Dickerson, the Bristol-based practice frequently advises on matters pertaining to media rights, regulatory and governance issues, and sponsorship agreements. In the contentious space, it is also known for its work in relation to integrity and anti-doping issues, where the team handles cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal, and disciplinary cases. IP and media rights are a particular focus for Helen Scott-Lawler, while senior associate Neil Connor-McLaren stands out for his work on sponsorship agreements and commercial contracts.

The ‘deeply knowledgeable’ Bristol-based team at Burges Salmon LLP represent high profile clients in various disputes in the High Court, in addition to advising on infringement, brand enforcement, and strategic matters. ‘Client focused’ practice head Jeremy Dickerson has recently assisted clients with a number of trade mark infringement proceedings, while Helen Scott-Lawler handles transactional IP mandates. ‘Whip-smart’ Emily Roberts is well-versed in the realms of brand management, trade marks, and copyright disputes, particularly in relation to software, attracting a strong roster of clients. Georgina Shaw departed the firm in June 2022.

Known for its aptitude in rail, public sector, energy and financial services matters, Burges Salmon LLP has made further strides into sectors such as music, film and entertainment, food and drink, and sport, including long-term logistic contracts, CRM and loyalty scheme arrangements, and catering contracts. Helen Scott-Lawler has been active across the full breadth of practice matters, collaborating with her projects and construction colleagues for large transport and nuclear matters, and being the key representative to clients such as John Lewis Partnership and The Racecourse Association. Director Richard Hugo has a notable portfolio of commercial mandates, including multiple cross-border instructions involving the United States, while senior associate Neil Connor-McLaren is steadily gaining a reputation for his proficiency in licensing, marketing and sponsorship arrangements.

The Bristol-based sports team at Burges Salmon LLP, led by Jeremy Dickerson, is known for advising clients in the horse racing, polo, and motorsports spaces with advice on media rights and sponsorship arrangements. The interdisciplinary team, which includes employment specialists Luke Bowery and Dominic Davis, as well as commercial experts Helen Scott-Lawler and David Varney, assists on employment matters and commercial transactions for clients in the worlds of golf and football.

Burges Salmon LLP advises on advertising campaigns, sponsorships and marketing initiatives, with recent work encompassing intellectual property, disputes and content production agreements. Key names in the firm’s Bristol base include Helen Scott-Lawler .

Handling both non-contentious matters and a range of litigation, Burges Salmon LLP is a go-to for advice on broadcasting rights exploitation, television clearance, commercial arrangements and IP – the latter being an area of particular specialism for team head Jeremy Dickerson, who has recently handled UK and European trademark applications and registrations for the BBC. Helen Scott-Lawler advises clients on commercial contracts, advertising, marketing, brand protection and sponsoring, while Emily Roberts comes recommended for her contentious capabilities.