TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Bird & Bird LLP maintains a broad and well-structured TMT practice, split into distinct teams covering tech transactions, media and sport, and telecoms, with each group led by a dedicated partner. The firm is active across the full spectrum of TMT work, including advisory, regulatory and litigation matters such as High Court copyright claims. Ronald Hendrikx is noted for advising on telecoms issues across both public and private sectors, often guiding clients through innovative product development. Mark Leach leads on complex outsourcing arrangements, while Andrew Danson focuses on sports and betting regulation, including cross-border affairs. Phil Sherrell handles contentious matters and has deep experience in IP-related litigation. Kimberly Wells supports clients on strategic tech and communications initiatives. The practice also welcomed Andrew Dean from Clifford Chance in late 2024, while Emma Drake was promoted to partner in May 2024.
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Mentions
Profile
Position
Partner
Career
I am head of Bird & Bird's London office and a partner in our Media, Entertainment and Sports team, focusing on litigating disputes relating to content and brands.
My team offers the full range of contentious IP and media law advice, handling complex trade mark and copyright infringement litigation, disputes relating to the dissemination of information (confidential, private, defamatory etc), as well as complaints to UK media regulators including the ASA, IPSO and Ofcom.
I sit on the Copyright and Technology Working Group of the British Copyright Council and am the editor of the International Comparative Legal Guide to Copyright. I appear regularly in the media discussing all aspects of media and IP law, and led the team that created our Digital Marketing App and our content platform, MediaWrites.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Responsive, client-focused, provide commercial and practical advice.’
‘Key individuals act as an extension to our in-house legal team. They are responsive, personable, and can be relied upon.'
'Kimberly Wells is an excellent technical lawyer. She has helped us draft and navigate incredibly complex agreements. She is very responsive and provides comprehensive advice.’ 'In-depth knowledge of industry and experience working on huge value transactions.' 'Mark Leach understands the commercial imperatives and takes a pragmatic approach to his advice.'
Key clients
- Activision Blizzard Allwyn Epic Games Football Association Guinness Six Nations Rugby Macquarie Bank Nando’s Nokia TikTok TuneIn, Inc. UK Radioplayer
Work highlights
Acting for TuneIn in the litigation brought against it by Sony Music and Warner Music.
Represented COPA in a high-profile litigation against Craig Wright regarding the authorship of the Bitcoin White Paper, resulting in a UK High Court ruling that Wright was not Satoshi Nakamoto, a subsequent worldwide freezing order against him, and the refusal of his appeal.
Advised Allwyn on the transition phase for its takeover of the UK National Lottery operations starting 1 February 2024 and continue to support its major technology transformation programme, negotiating complex IT and outsourcing contracts with key partners such as SGI, Vodafone, and others.