TMT

Senior Partner.  Oliver is Senior Partner at RPC and a recognised specialist in commercial law. He has over 25 years' experience with particular expertise in commercial contracts, advertising and marketing, regulatory investigations/proceedings, data protection, consumer, intellectual property and digital. He is ranked in the Legal 500's "Hall of Fame" and "Top Ranked" by Chambers and Partners for both commercial and advertising/marketing. He works with some of the world's highest profile brands and digital platforms, providing advice on all aspects their commercial operations and consumer engagement.  He is the co-editor of the leading text book ‘Advertising Law and Regulation’ (Bloomsbury Professional). He is Chairman of the City of London Law Society Commercial Law Committee, a member of the Ad Law Group and an editorial board member of Digital Business Lawyer and Entertainment Law Review. He was awarded "Best Client Partner" at the 2016 British Legal Awards and is recognised by Acritas for outstanding client service.

Partner; Rob is a partner in our IP/Tech group and Head of our Technology and Strategic Sourcing practices. He is global co-head of the Data Privacy Hub and co-leads both our cross stream Cyber Advisory unit and our Emerging Technology team. He advises on all areas of technology, digital and data, including around emerging technologies such as blockchain, AI/ML and IoT, as well as privacy, cyber and the regulation of data across a broad range of sectors.  He regularly helps clients understand and mitigate risk, whether linked to a changing regulatory compliance framework, adapting to evolving technological advancement, implementation of material transformation programmes or the increasing complexity around the management of data. His IP practice involves advising on the creation, protection and exploitation of IP rights in a diverse range of sectors, including media, financial services, technology and sport. Rob also has significant experience in handling the IP, technology and data protection aspects of mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other major corporate transactions. As head of the Strategic Sourcing practice, Rob is often called on by clients to advise on risks, structuring options and commercial impacts of sourcing and procurement arrangements.  In this role, Rob was part of our 4-partner team leading our independent review of the problems faced by TSB with its major IT platform transformation, the report on which was published in 2019.

Mark is a technology specialist with over 20 years’ experience. He advises companies on technology issues such as cloud computing, machine learning, apps and facial recognition. Much of Mark's experience was gained in-house at IBM where he held various roles, including Global Data Privacy Counsel. Mark has particular expertise in data privacy. He advises multinational companies on implementing General Data Protection Regulation compliant programs, Privacy Shield and Binding Corporate Rules. Mark has been involved in many of the most high profile and highest value data privacy litigation in the world and regularly advises companies in relation to incident response and defending regulatory enforcement actions all over the world.

Chris Coulter is a partner in Cooley's London office and a member of the Technology Transactions Group. Chris has over 25 years of experience advising clients on a range of technology, data, cyber security, contract and intellectual property issues.Chris advises both established and fast-growth early-stage businesses, and has extensive experience in large-scale projects with a cross-border component. He advises on a wide variety of commercial arrangements underpinned by technology and data, including outsourcing; procurement of technology and complex services; creation and exploitation of rights in software, digital content and technology products; telecoms services; distribution of digital content (including games, films and music); online and mobile business; and the establishment of complex technology licensing arrangements.Chris provides strategic and regulatory advice, including in connection with data, IP, consumer protection and digital marketing. In addition, Chris counsels on the commercial and IP aspects of M&A transactions, investments and joint ventures.

Partner and Head of IP and Tech. Experienced and commercially focussed, David Cran works closely with clients to resolve their IP, technology and commercial issues. David specialises in IP, technology and commercial matters, with significant experience in both disputes and transactions. David advises on all areas of intellectual property, confidential information, IT/software and commercial issues. His work covers a wide range of industry sectors, including retail, financial services, insurance, IT/telecoms, media/digital media, energy, manufacturing and life sciences. David frequently advises on international matters, particularly involving the US, Europe and the Far East, including coordinating multi-jurisdictional disputes and deals. David is recommended in the leading legal directories for IP and technology, including in Chambers, Legal 500, Who's Who Legal, World Trademark Review and IAM Patent, having been described as "technically polished", "very commercial" and "a class act". David is named in The Lawyer's Hot 100 2023.

Partner

Robert Hamill is a partner in Mayer Brown's London office focusing on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. He has particular experience in the energy sector and co-heads the firm's global energy group. Robert joined Mayer Brown as a partner in 2002.

Andy Lucas is a partner in Dentons' Technology, Media and Telecoms  (TMT) practice for the UK, Ireland and Middle East. He specialises in all aspects of non-contentious technology law and large scale public sector outsourcings. Andy has an outstanding track record of advising on some of the largest public sector commercial matters including the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme, UK Search and Rescue Helicopters, the Police National Database and ID Cards. Andy has a first-rate client list of major government departments including the Home Office, DfT, the Cabinet Office, and the NPIA, to name a few. Andy also advises cutting edge private sector companies on their technology projects in emerging areas, including advising UiPath, the leading global Robotic Process Automation company, on various corporate, commercial and compliance matters globally.

Emma Wright is a partner and leads the Technology, Data & Digital team at Harbottle & Lewis, where she works with clients from all parts of the tech ecosystem solving their regulatory issues, helping them achieve their commercial objectives or deliver their digital transformation goals. Emma is also co-founder and director at the not-for-profit Interparliamentary Forum on Emerging Technologies, which has built a global network of legislators considering the regulation of AI and other emerging technologies in countries from all parts of the world. She sits on the Unesco Women4EthicalAI forum of global experts on AI and is working with UNESCO on the global implementation of its Recommendation on Ethics in AI. She was listed by Computer Weekly as one of the Top 20 Most Influential Women in Tech for the last two years.

Steven Farmer advises clients, particularly those with a technology focus, looking to launch or expand in Europe, whilst navigating complex regulatory and legal issues.As a member of the firm’s Technology/Intellectual Property, Data Privacy and International Trade teams, Steven brings over a decade of experience in advising on the monetization of IP rights and IP infringement issues. Holding Certified Information Privacy Professional (Europe) status, Steven also advises on data privacy compliance in the pre- and post-incident environments. His practice also focuses on international trade compliance, particularly export controls (military and dual-use) and UN, EU and UK sanctions.

Sarah is a TMT partner in Dentons' London office. She is an experienced technology and outsourcing lawyer, advising clients in both the public and private sectors, particularly within regulated sectors, and has significant experience working on large-scale, high-profile, public sector outsourcings. Sarah advises on all aspects of non-contentious technology and IP-related issues, including commercial contracts, software development, IT and business process outsourcing, FinTech, website development and IP licensing.

Partner