Morrison Foerster is equipped to handle a full spectrum of tech transactions, including licensing, global tech outsourcings, and M&A. Alistair Maughan heads the practice, handling commercial contracts and tech-based projects, with particular expertise in commercial licensing, service-based outsourcing transactions, and tech delivery models. Steven James is the name to note for intellectual property disputes and exploitation matters, advising clients on both contentious and transactional commercial matters. Annabel Gillham handles the full spectrum of compliance, e-marketing, and cross-border data processing, while Mercedes Samavi excels in tech licensing, digital regulatory compliance, and commercial contracts. Ruth Arkley has IP experience spanning copyright, trademarks, patents, and domain names.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘What makes the Morrison Foerster team truly exceptional is that they don’t just provide legal advice — they become a strategic extension of our business. From the outset, they took the time to deeply understand our commercial goals, our risk profile, the context to the project and our culture and mission. That empathy and insight shaped every interaction and recommendation they made.'
- 'We’ve worked with other firms, but the difference here is palpable. The team is collaborative, responsive, and refreshingly clear in their communication. They explain options, guide decisions, and—most importantly—deliver results. I felt like I was in the safest of hands.'
- 'What really sets them apart is their people. The lawyers are not only technically excellent, but also incredibly lovely.'
- 'They were generous with their time and support. It is rare to find a firm that combines legal excellence, commercial pragmatism, and genuine human partnership. They didn’t just meet expectations — they consistently exceeded them.’
‘The lawyers are all personable, easy to work with, accessible and responsive, and we always feel like our work is given equal importance compared with fee-paying clients. The lawyers have the ability to cut to the heart of the issue and explain the legal solutions in a succinct, practical way.’
‘Mercedes Samavi is a pleasure to work with. She is constantly thinking of new ways to support, and goes above and beyond. We couldn't ask for more. She shares her expertise and insights in a clear, concise way, with actionable next steps. Her friendly and approachable communication style means she is an excellent role model for our postgraduate law students.’
Key clients
- Brown-Forman
- Finlays
- IMU Biosciences
- Loyalty Juggernaut
- Novartis Pharma
- Zoom
- SoundCloud
- Twitch
- Evergreen Services Group
- Konami Digital Entertainment
- Zilch
- Clearcast
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Alistair Maughan
Other key lawyers
Steven James; Annabel Gillham; Mercedes Samavi; Ruth Arkley; Georgia Wright