Mr Neeraj Thomas > CMS > Glasgow, United Kingdom > Lawyer Profile

Fielding a strong patent disputes offering, combined with trade mark infringement expertise, the CMS practice follows a ‘super pragmatic’ approach when representing its clients from across the energy, life science, and media industries. The team has experience of enforcing IP rights on M&A transactions and joint ventures, as well as managing patent portfolios for multinationals. Glasgow-based head Carina Healy specialises in licensing and commercialisation of IP, notably in the biotech and medtech sectors. Neeraj Thomas is a renowned IP litigator, Alan Nelson primarily focuses on commercial contracts and outsourcing deals, and Duncan Turner is a non-contentious IP expert. David Dennis primarily focuses on the healthcare space. Kimberley Cross  is also recommended.

Leveraging its global footprint and ‘deep bench’ of specialised lawyers, CMS demonstrates significant strength in advising on complex sponsorship and advertising rights arrangements, alongside data protection disputes. Glasgow-based practice head Neeraj Thomas is a specialist in contentious IP litigation, while Edinburgh-based Duncan Turner notably focuses on M&A within the media space, as well as exploitation of image rights cases. Also based in Glasgow, the ‘pragmatic’ Kimberley Cross stands out for assisting clients with their digital media and branding strategy requirements.

Described as being ‘immersed in sports law’, Neeraj Thomas leads the CMS practice, regularly leveraging its specialist lawyers from across the tech, commercial, and litigation spaces when advising major governing bodies and football clubs. From Glasgow, Thomas brings vast knowledge of contentious IP issues within a sporting context to the team, alongside being experienced in handling IP disputes within the Court of Session. Also in Glasgow, Chris Bowie is well versed in assisting with complex sponsorship agreements, and Edinburgh-based Duncan Turner primarily focuses on commercial contract affairs.

Drawing upon the firm’s ‘strength in depth’ across its media, commercial and IP divisions, CMS offers bespoke advice to governing bodies, sports broadcasters and major sports teams on all aspects of regulatory, transactional and litigious proceedings. David Zeffman leads the group, predominantly focusing upon the gambling and television sectors in a sporting context; John Cloke represents large sports competitions and sponsors; and the ‘always approachable’ Tom Scourfield is knowledgeable on content protection and anti-counterfeiting strategy. John Enser is a copyright law expert, assisting rights holders and broadband companies, while Neeraj Thomas and Oliver Kichenside are also singled out as key ports of call.