England - London • Corporate and commercial
Bird & Bird LLP
Frequently lauded for its position at the leading edge of technology and innovation, Bird & Bird LLP exercises a strong regulatory and digital offering to advise clients on commercial agreements and navigating business risk. With an extensive UK and global reach, the firm is able to act on a broad range of manufacturing, marketing, supply chain, and joint venture agreements, with a large presence in the sport, energy and infrastructure, and retail sectors. The firm offers considerable specialisation within its bench, with particular expertise pertaining to data, gambling and telecoms, further emphasised by department head Simon Shooter‘s proficiency in cybersecurity matters. Follow co-head Ian Edwards leads on a number of the team’s largest mandates, while Graeme Payne is the key contact for the group’s retail and consumer clients. Andy Danson is a first-choice expert for gambling-related commercial issues, whereas Robert Turner is chiefly noted for his sport-centric practice. Recently made partner Nick Green has been active on IP, trademark, logistic and supply chain agreements. Stuart Cairns is a significant driver for the firm’s global projects offering, with strong procurement capabilities.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'A thorough understanding of their craft and the environment/context in which their client operates sets Bird & Bird apart. As a new enterprise we have had the opportunity to shop around and engage with a variety of legal entities and Bird & Bird are unquestionably head and shoulders above any party I have dealt with.’
‘Industry knowledge and great to work with.’
‘Really good team players, an extension of the in-house team.’
‘Sheer expanse of contacts and the ability to build team’
‘Stuart Cairns is a most learned and pragmatic lawyer. He is one of the best project lead lawyers we have ever dealt with.'
Key clients
- SAZKA Group
- Allwyn
- Marks & Spencer
- British & Irish Lions
- Six Nations Rugby
- United Rugby Championship
- DXC
- Arsenal
- Isavia
- University of Limerick
- Canadian Solar
- Padero Solar
- Railpen Direct Infrastructure II Limited
- Costa Coffee
Work highlights
- Advised Allwyn on their application process for the next UK National Lottery licence and continue to support it with a hugely complex transition process in order to prepare for the migration from Camelot to Allwyn in February 2024.
- Provide strategic commercial advice to Costa Coffee on a range of issues in relation to, for e.g., supply chain arrangements/franchising, partnerships and collaborations.
- Acted for Six Nations Rugby on a landmark deal appointing TikTok as the first ever title sponsor for the women’s Six Nations Championship. We also advised Six Nations Rugby on its deal appointing Sage as official insights partner and Breitling as official timing partner across the Autumn Nations Series, Guinness Six Nations and TikTok Women’s Six Nations Championships.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Ian Edwards, Simon Shooter