Paul Bentham
Addleshaw GoddardThe broad team at Addleshaw Goddard acts for a lucrative client base which notably includes McDonald’s Restaurants Limited, ASDA Stores Limited, and Matalan Group Companies. Paul Bentham and the ‘astounding’ Claire Edwards co-lead the practice following the retirement of James Whittaker in July 2023. Praised by clients for his ‘legendary technical ability’, Bentham has longstanding experience in assisting both supplier and customer clients across the retail, consumer, and financial services sectors on cloud solutions. Edwards’ workload consists of global intra-group sharing agreements and international transfers. Phil McGough is ‘extremely talented’ when it comes to advising on global licensing arrangements and IT processing outsourcing, and Nadine Waters is noted for achieving ‘exceptional outcomes’ when acting opposite large telecoms providers and IT vendors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The AG Technology team have consistently been the best in the Northwest, and they continue to go from strength to strength. Paul Bentham is a genuine powerhouse and has worked at the very top level of this sector, regionally, nationally and internationally, for over 30 years.'
- 'Paul Bentham is exceptional and he has a legendary technical ability. Perhaps most importantly though, he remains tirelessly dedicated to achieving the very best deal for his clients.'
- 'Nadine Waters - a true future leader in this sector who has a fantastic depth and breadth of knowledge. Committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for her clients, she has a refreshing no nonsense approach, which clients genuinely love.'
- 'Paul Bentham is a very experienced lawyer who is both knowledgeable and approachable, providing pragmatic and effective solutions. He calmly deals with suppliers in what can sometimes be highly charged negotiations.'
- 'Phil McGough is extremely talented, operating at the real cutting edge of technology. He has demonstrated sectoral leadership in the application of AI and other new technologies to enhancing legal practice.'
- 'Nadine Waters and Claire Edwards are both commercial, pragmatic, and tough negotiators who push hard to get the best position for their clients.'
- 'Claire Edwards is an astounding partner. Her breadth of data protection knowledge and acumen is the best I have seen. She has a legendary list of plan Bs up her sleeve should there be any push-back in negotiations. I know that she has my back in negotiations and I have confidence in her advice. She runs a fantastic and responsive team.'
- 'AG has a detailed understanding of complex IT transactions which ensures that in lengthy negotiations with suppliers, they are fully equipped to handle the detailed discussions which are required to facilitate the production of robust contracting arrangements.'
Key clients
- Co-operative Group Limited
- Reckitt Benckiser Group Companies
- Bruntwood Limited group of companies
- PZ Cussons Plc
- McDonald's Restaurants Limited
- ASDA Stores Limited
- Matalan Group Companies
- Diageo Group Companies
- United Utilities Group Companies
Work highlights
- Advising Chesnara Plc on the appointment of a replacement pension servicing platform provider for its Countrywide Assured and Sanlam Life and Pension books, with £5.5bn AUM.
- Advising ASDA in relation to all commercial contracts and IT aspects of its £2.1bn acquisition of the majority of EG's UK business.
- Acting for Diageo in a licensing dispute.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Claire Edwards
Addleshaw GoddardNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Nadine Waters
Addleshaw Goddard
Phil McGough
Addleshaw GoddardPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Paul Bentham, Claire Edwards