Memery Crystal

Commercial & IP/Technology/Media

Chris is a Partner in the Commercial,  IP & Technology (CIPT) team at Memery Crystal.

Chris has a life-long interest in technology.

After qualifying as a solicitor in 2000, Chris initially advised specialist businesses developing telemetry and related technology for the motor racing sector, and a range of software developers and tech entrepreneurs, both established providers and early-stage dotcom startups.

Chris’s experience covers the full range of non-contentious commercial and IP work and has consistently had technology as the focus. Chris led the tech, data and IP function at Rosenblatt providing advice across all sectors, until the acquisition of Memery Crystal in 2021, when he joined their larger Commercial, Intellectual Property and Technology team.

Since joining the firm in 2005, Chris has enjoyed adapting to new and emerging technologies and to work with his clients to find practical solutions. Chris is determined to keep sight of his client’s priorities and to ensure their commercial objectives are met within the preferred legal framework.

Chris’ experience has followed the evolution of major digital sectors and the growth of data protection and digital trade regulation – in particular the development of customer insight, data enrichment and digital advertising.

Currently, much of Chris’s focus in the crypto and DeFi space, including advising clients considering establishing a new exchange, chain, marketplace, or platform or considering investing in a digital or cryptographic asset or project.

Chris is a key/founding member of the firm’s New Tech Working Group, a member of the Society for Computers and the Law (SCL).

Chris focuses on the following areas:

• Advising developers and customers on platform, SaaS, development, and licensing arrangements, plus their supporting SLAs, customer dependencies and policies.
• Negotiation of traditional technology and system procurement projects, including tv broadcasting infrastructure.
  Joint ventures and collaborative projects.
• Advising project founders on the optimal corporate and contractual structure, asset ownership and core contracts for Web 3.0, crypto and blockchain-based businesses.
  DeFi projects, NFTs, smart contracts,
• Metaverse and in-world contracts; marketplace and platform terms and conditions, and token-linked terms and conditions.
• Data protection compliance (including UK GDPR, DPA 2018, PECR), appointing data processors, advising on anonymisation requirements and reidentification risk, and international transfers of personal data.

2021 – Present: Partner, Memery Crystal

2005 – 2021: Rosenblatt Partner from 2009

2000 – 2005: Steeles (law) LLP. Associate from 2003

2000: Qualified as a solicitor

Member of Society for Computers and the Law.

Ipswich School; University of Birmingham – LLB (Hons) (1997); Anglia Ruskin University – Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (1998).

Skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, music production.