England - London • Industry focus
Gowling WLG
Based across Birmingham and London, the retail team at Gowling WLG fields a sizeable team with expertise across the full range of retail, consumer, and trading mandates. Jocelyn Paulley is instructed by start-ups, established brands, and suppliers, and focuses on IT, digital infrastructure, and data protection matters. Intellectual property strategy and litigation mandates are handled by John Coldham. Paulley and Coldham jointly head the practice. Also in the core team are Kate Swaine, who advises on brand and design strategy, and handles trade mark enforcement, and commercial contracts specialist Sarah Riding.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Gowling WLG's retail team works across all disciplines, including corporate, commercial contracts, IT, real estate, finance, employment, IP, data protection and dispute resolution and has provided us with outstanding support in all those areas over many years.'
- 'I would say that the firm is an assured and robust operation. Its understanding of the markets it advises in is detailed, up to date and relevant.'
- 'The team integrates itself seamlessly as part of the overall project team, drives forward the legal work proactively, and is available at very short notice.'
Key clients
- Asda
- Entain PLC
- De Kuyper Holding NV
- Freddy SPA
- Freemans Grattan Holdings Limited
- Great Little Trading Co
- Halfords Autocentres
- H&T Group plc
- Klarna Bank AB
- Pret a Manger (Europe) Limited
- The Jewellery Channel
- The Midcounties Co-operative
- THG (formerly known as The Hut Group)
- Unilever
- Wickes
Work highlights
- Advised Freemans Grattan Holdings on the outsourcing of its IT function to Tech Mahindra.
- Advised Halfords Autocentres on the acquisition of Lodge Tyre.
- Advised the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on multiple retail issues, including ticket sales, merchandise sales, retailer outreach, ambush marketing guidance, official dressing for outlets in Birmingham, and take downs from online marketplaces.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
John Coldham, Jocelyn Paulley