Acuity Law

Commercial & Technology

Declan is Lead Partner for our Commercial & Technology team. He has significant experience in advising clients in the technology sector and works with prominent clients in a range of industries on strategic IT-based projects.

He is a specialist in advising fast growth early-stage tech companies as well as well-known global tech organisations, and supports non-technology clients undertaking software development projects, such as Bright Network and The Trade Centre UK, guiding them through the process of capturing IP and assignment of licensing arrangements.

Declan has substantial expertise in transactional/commercial IP matters, and he has advised market leaders such as Wealthify, Portman Dental Care, and Guru Systems on strategic technology projects and transactions with the aim of capturing, commercialising and protecting IP. He regularly advises on copyright-based issues involving software, technology, e-commerce and the internet, often involving complex SaaS platforms. Declan also assists clients with exploiting their patent portfolios, as well as working with brands and sports organisations on sponsorship arrangements.

Prior to his arrival at Acuity, Declan headed the commercial and regulatory team at Vistra Corporate Law, assisting global (often tech) clients with expanding into the UK and Europe. He was a senior associate at a global law firm, where he handled big-ticket IT- and IP-based projects for household name clients in the tech sector and beyond.

Expertise:

• Commercial contracts, including sale and purchase agreements, agency, distribution and franchising
• Software and technology contracts
• Commercialisation of intellectual property
• Data protection
• Outsourcing arrangements