With a special focus on the retail, consumer, and life sciences industries, the team at Addleshaw Goddard – led by the ‘really practical’ Ross Nicol – has a transactional IP focus, covering trade mark filing and patent licensing procedures. In Glasgow, Nicol is an expert on software licensing and franchise agreements, Alan Sinclair primarily focuses on IP rights disputes, while Calum Fisher is also a key figure.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Partner Ross Nicol is one of the best IP lawyers that I know. We are a small company working with some of the largest firms in the world and Ross is expert in understanding the drivers and challenges on both sides to enable Agreements to be concluded rapidly.’
‘The AG team are very knowledgeable in their subject matter. Their advice is concise and to the point. The fee quotation/billing process is transparent and reasonable.’
‘Any IP project with Ross Nicol at the helm will benefit from his vast legal knowledge and extensive experience of both domestic and international transactions. Ross brings razor sharp focus to IP contracts and highly commercial solutions to his transactions. He is also well known for providing valuable strategic insights and is always engaging to work with.’
‘The breadth and depth of their team is very impressive. They have a sizeable team of talented individuals which, in my working with them, has shown they are able to assign tasks in a way that allows the work to be carried out at the right level in a cost-effective way.'
‘Alan Sinclair engenders confidence in his clients through his clear and direct communication style. He presents options and advice in a way that simplifies the issues, whilst also demonstrating a deep understanding of the factual, legal and commercial aspects of the case. He is always keen to work collaboratively and is very much a team player.'
‘Ross Nichol is very good at dealing with clients and business contacts. Ross is very personable, easy to get on with, sticks to deadlines, and understands the commercial aspirations of the business.’
‘The team is led by Ross Nicol who is a really practical, commercial lawyer. His leadership and guidance means that the whole team provide really commercial advice. When asked for advice, there have been times that Ross has given such commercial advice that he has prevented us needing to use his legal services!’
‘Ross Nicol stands out. Ross is really good at supporting that and has even been mistaken as a new member of the in-house team because his advice is so bespoke and practical.’
Key clients
- The Restaurant Group Limited
- Wagamama Limited
- Associated British Foods
- STV Studios
- Scottish Enterprise
- OracleBio
- Vysis Group
- Highlands and Islands Enterprise
- Edinburgh Airport
- Optos (Part of the NIKON group)
Work highlights
- Advising new client, The Restaurant Group, upon the divestment of its leisure brands, including Frankie and Benny's.
- Advising new client, Wagamama, upon the development of a new app.
- Advising TC Biopharm, a Scottish lifesciences company focussed on the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases, on a clinical trial services agreement with Fortrea.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Ross Nicol