With an expertise that spans a large number of sectors including digital health, agritech and fintech, Ashfords LLP is praised for its ‘friendly, flexible and approachable team’. The firm’s strengths lie in advising on IT outsourcing projects as well as investments in the technology sector alongside handling commercial contracts and licensing. Chris Dyson heads the team and fields particular experience in relation to investment and M&A matters, while Suzie Miles‘ advisory portfolio includes IT transformation and software licensing. Another key member of the team is Jocelyn Ormond, who is noted for her focus on digital health and fintech investments. The firm was joined by Tom Llewellyn in May 2023, a litigation partner formerly at RWK Goodman.

Burges Salmon LLP‘s technology team regularly handles large outsourcing projects, IT deals, and matters relating to SaaS products on behalf of a wide range of blue-chip clients. The practice is led by a trio of practitioners consisting of David Varney, whose portfolio includes the procurement and licensing of technology, head of Fintech Martin Cook, as well as Lucy Pegler, who sports a particular focus on technology within the transport and public sectors. Martin Cuell is adept at advising clients on technology transformation projects and the implementation of emerging technologies. Andrew Dunlop retired in May 2023.

Assisting clients with their technology agreements, such as outsourcing agreements, lies at the heart of Foot Anstey‘s IT group, which combines its technology and data offering to support companies in sectors including aerospace, fintech, retail, and private equity. The team also provides support on the technology aspects of high-value M&A deals and investments. Ashley Avery, who is praised for her ‘ability to explain things succinctly and with authority’, heads the practice together with Paolo Sbuttoni, whose advisory portfolio spans data privacy, cybersecurity, and technology contracts. Clients in the aerospace sector routinely turn to Annalisa Checchi for her expertise pertaining to IP and technology.

Handling both large projects and disputes in the technology and telecoms space, Osborne Clarke LLP is a popular choice for a broad range of clients looking for support with issues such as cloud migration, technology procurement, and software licensing. Under the leadership of Will Robertson, who also heads the firm’s commercial practice, the South West offering is based in Bristol and works closely with the London team to advise regional and international companies. Litigation specialist Charlie Wedin and the technology and commercial transaction-focused Tom Harding are further key names in the group. Emerging technologies and digital transformation form part of Eleanor Williams‘ advisory offering.

Clients from the public and private sphere turn to TLT to assist with major outsourcing, cloud, and software development projects. The firm covers a vast array of sectors including retail and financial services, with the Bristol team regularly collaborating with the firm’s other national offices such as London and Manchester. James Touzel heads up the technology and IP team, which also includes Daniel Read, who is particularly well versed in matters relating to AI as well as technology-related work within the financial services sector. Data protection and IT contracts are at the center of Ed Hayes‘ practice.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP handles numerous IT outsourcing transactions, digitalisation projects, and technology disputes, with financial services amongst the firm’s core sectors, where it routinely advises on fintech and insurtech-related work. The firm is also a popular choice with clients hailing from the public, aerospace, and defence sectors. Alastair Mitton heads the team, possessing extensive expertise across a broad range of IT matters as well as concerning telecoms. Georgie Morgan-Giles left the firm in November 2023.

Hailed as an ‘exceptionally talented and very efficient firm’, Clarke Willmott LLP‘s telecoms practice is known for specialising in representing landowner clients against telecoms operators, for instance in the negotiation of new leases, code agreements or wayleaves.  The ‘competent’ Kary Withers acts as practice head and has extensive experience in telecoms disputes. Relocation arrangements are part of Beverley Pike ‘s skillset, and Sarah Mogford fields particular expertise in regard to the Electronic Communications Code.

Michelmores LLP advises both large international companies as well as start-ups and fast-growth businesses on their IT needs including transactions in the technology sector. The practice also provides advisory services to public sector clients in matters such as IT procurement. Tom Torkar, whose areas of expertise include outsourcing projects, software licensing, and data protection, leads the firm’s technology and innovation group out of Exeter. Digital solutions in the natural capital sphere are a core area of expertise for Chloe Vernon-Shore.

Roxburgh Milkins Limited  offers in-depth advice to clients in the technology sector, notably in relation to data protection and supplier contracts. Also popular with clients active in fintech and insurtech, the team is headed by Ian Grimley, who is particularly well versed in supporting deep tech businesses and SaaS providers. Transactions and other commercial matters are regularly handled by Charles van der Lande, while Carl Spencer-Spear is another key name to note with capabilities in IP and data protection alongside commercial issues. Helen Naylor is also recommended.

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s IT and technology practice sets itself apart with a public sector focus, where the firm advises clients on technology procurement projects as well as disputes, though it is also active in assisting private sector companies with issues such as software licensing. Practice head Richard Lane and partner Liz Fletcher are both noted for their extensive experience in supporting local and central government authorities with complex IT projects.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP‘s IT offering was strengthened by the arrival of Rebecca Steer in September 2023 from Steer & Co, who fields in-depth experience on a broad range of IT matters including master service agreements, transactions in the technology space, and IP-related issues. Key sectors for the group include retail, food and beverage, as well as engineering.

At Keystone Law, clients benefit from the firm’s capability to advise on a broad spectrum of IT matters, ranging from data transfers and software licensing to outsourcing and SaaS agreements. The ‘highly experienced’ Jessica Bent, who handles contentious and non-contentious technology and IT matters, is one of the key contacts alongside commercial contracts and IP solicitor Charlie White.

A specialist outfit focusing on data protection, technology, and commercial contracts, Pritchetts Law is ideally situated to advise clients on innovative areas such as AI and healthtech. Data protection specialist Stephanie Pritchett in Bristol heads the practice together with Ben Wootton, who splits his time between London and Bristol.

Spencer West LLP focuses on technology and outsourcing contracts; the firm handles matters for clients in sectors such as healthcare and life sciences, media, and electronics. Jowanna Conboye is the team lead and has experience advising on IT procurement and software development agreements, amongst others. Large IT outsourcing projects form a major part of Edmund Probert‘s advisory portfolio.

The advisory spectrum at Stephens Scown LLP covers IT contracts and outsourcing agreements as much as innovative topics such as AI and blockchain. Thomas Chartres-Moore is one of the key contacts and combines IT expertise with know-how in data protection and IP alongside also spearheading the firm's food and drink practice group. Amy Ralston's experience includes software licenses, SaaS, and influencer marketing.