Boasting a client portfolio featuring both high-street banks and major multinational manufacturing conglomerates, Addleshaw Goddard is able to provide an ‘excellent breadth’ of legal counsel due to its near-unrivalled depth of bench. The firm is active in drafting complex commercial contracts for joint ventures in a range of industries, including the automotive and financial sectors, and constructing bespoke arrangements for household retail names, such as its work creating ASDA’s first ever customer loyalty scheme. Furthermore, the firm has been involved in formulating a multitude of sponsorship, outsourcing and supply agreements, alongside acting on IT management services and payment systems. Team head Michael Lowry remains a key advisor to banks and retailers for their IT and data needs, while Damon Rosamond-Lanzetta is praised for his ‘impressive ability to find solutions for clients’, with considerable experience instructing financial actors on operational and service agreements. Jonathan Davey continues to take the lead on matters in the retail and consumer sector, advising on business-critical supply arrangements and facility restructurings, and is regularly supported by the ‘standout’  managing associate Harriet Powell who has also been active in real estate contractual work. Claire Edwards joined from Pinsent Masons LLP in May 2022, furthering strengthening the firm’s data protection and security offering.

Offering a pan-European and global service to a range of international clients, Baker McKenzie demonstrates a high level of expertise acting on complex, long-term cross border commercial contracts, including bespoke collaboration agreements, joint ventures in the tech sector, and business critical Transitional Services Agreements. The firm has established strength in the telecoms, healthcare, financial services and retail sector, leveraging its full-service capabilities to act on e-commerce, cyber-security and data privacy issues entrenched in its clients’ commercial agreements. Furthermore, the team are able to help companies draft framework agreements and launch platforms regarding novel asset classes, such as NFTs. Duncan Reid-Thomas fronts the commercial group, advising on a wide-range of contractual mandates with a particular focus on the healthcare sector, whilst Helen Brown is a go-to for consumer brands in the retail fashion sphere, regularly joined by Julia Hemmings, a consumer marketing and e-commerce expert. Sue McLean specialises in helping financial services and fintech clients construct outsourcing, distribution and strategic ancillary agreements. Associate Maulik Mittal utilises his experience seconded to both Google and Three’s commercial legal teams to advise on matters pertaining to the tech and telecoms industry, as well as complex outsourcing deals.

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.

Steered by the highly experienced TMT specialist Henrietta Baker, Dentons‘ multi-skilled commercial practice continues to pull in a large volume of both public and private sector work, with a strong portfolio of cross-border mandates. Recent work includes advising on distribution, partnering and logistic agreements, with a notable increase in supply chain arrangements. Recent additions to its client roster, such as the multinational consumer group AM Fresh, bolster a client list already featuring numerous leading retail, sporting and courier organisations, including John Lewis Partnership, FIFA, and Royal Mail. Singled out for his multi-sector approach, the ‘extremely knowledgeable and experienced’ Martin Fanning has been primarily active advising on partnership and outsourcing agreements within the media and entertainment, automotive and telecommunications space, whilst Scott Singer takes the lead on the group’s big ticket retail mandates. Sarah Lima is a leading player in the firm’s cross-departmental team supporting large public sector projects, whereas senior associate Rachael Morris leverages her technological and manufacturing expertise to advise on long-term service agreements and bespoke delivery models.

Known for its global capabilities, DLA Piper possesses a list of high-profile domestic and international clients who turn to the team for holistic commercial assistance, including regulatory, ESG and data protection advice, as well as counsel on novel business aspects such as AI, blockchain and cryptocurrency. Familiar with constructing commercial arrangements spanning multiple jurisdictions, the group has been active on supply chain restructuring issues, drafting procurement templates and facilities management agreements alongside collaboration, outsourcing and distribution mandates. Furthermore, the firm stands out for its ability to provide bespoke in-house training to sector-leading clients such as Burberry, as well as handle complex public-private sector contractual work, evidenced by its counsel to Tokyo Electron Europe Limited. A pre-eminent name in this practice area, team head Mark Dewar has been active on mandates spanning the EU, US and Asia, and is considered a leading expert on ESG issues in this space. Both Anthony Day and Sophie Lessar are frequent ports-of-call for clients engaged in the financial and technological sectors, with the former recently focusing on outsourcing, restructuring and capability expansion mandates and the latter on implementing payment processing methods and solutions, regularly supported by senior associate Chris Rennie. Senior associate Christian Keogh is a sought-after practitioner due to his strong understanding of the telecommunications industry. Chloe Forster is also a key name.

Hogan Lovells International LLP has invested heavily in its dedicated, global commercial practice, which includes a strong regulatory offering which has particular strength in the technology, life sciences and biochemical sectors. Beyond a significant list of pharma players in its client roster, the group are frequently engaged by leading sporting, automotive, transport, financial services and food and drink entities, advising on sponsorship and partnership agreements, trademark licensing and supply agreements, as well as outsourcing and distribution arrangements. The firm are enjoying continued work with the British Paralympics, a relationship that started on a pro bono basis, and has led team head Richard Welfare to act on the sponsorship, logistics, hotel and hub site agreements in preparation for the Paris Games in 2024. An experienced practitioner well-versed in advising high profile events, campaigns and individuals, Welfare leads the group alongside the ‘brilliant’ Penny Powell who has been the key player in the group’s ever expanding pharmaceutical and life sciences mandates. John Salmon spearheads the firm’s IT and tech offering, with far-reaching expertise that encompasses blockchain initiatives and NFTs, whilst counsel Oliver Wilson has a strong, established relationship with Sport England, as well as being at the forefront of the group’s content platform work. Counsel Louise Crawford is a go-to for regulatory and data advice.

Working with a range of public and private bodies, Pinsent Masons LLP demonstrates notable strength in retail and robotics, in addition to an already expansive list of sector activity which includes energy, technology and sport. Full service capabilities including an integrated cybersecurity team, and international expertise owed to a large global footprint, are notable market differentiators for the firm, with key work highlights including advising Centrica on its partnership supply agreements. Global commercial head Samantha Livesey is especially well regarded for her aptitude in IP and tech matters, acting on ERP procurements, licensing agreements, and developing online sales platforms. Clare Francis, a Birmingham-based practitioner who sits on the firm’s Advanced Delivery Team, is noted for her acumen in counselling clients on transformative and solution-oriented initiatives to expand business growth, including developing framework arrangements and updating operational agreements. Laura Ayre covers a broad range of logistics, outsourcing and supply chain projects, regularly cross border, and is particularly active in the construction and automotive sectors. Simon Colvin and Gayle Ditchburn handle public sector and higher education client relationships respectively, whilst Danielle Clifford, who is responsible for driving the group’s increased presence in the real estate sector, was promoted to partner in 2023.

RPC offers pragmatic advice rooted in strong sector experience, with notable expertise in matters pertaining to tech and media, sport, and insurance. The firm has been engaged with substantial commercial projects over the past twelve months, including reviewing and updating company policies, counselling on master services agreements, and acting on sector-first partnerships, such as their advisory role for Saracens Rugby Club partnership with Socios that looks to bring tailored crypto-assets to fans. Furthermore, the team continues to establish itself as a leading player in the hospitality retail industry, adding the landmark brewing and distribution deal between Shepherd Neame and Boon Rawd to its matter portfolio. Department head Tom Purton‘s expertise ensures the group are sought out by established logistic corporates, and is known as a go-to for outsourcing arrangements. Paul Joukador is chiefly recognised for his supply chain arrangements, particularly in the retail sector, whilst Oliver Bray‘s broad practice attracts the interest of global tech giants – with regular support from Ciara Cullen. Charles Buckworth is highlighted for his excellence on financial services-related mandates, including finalising master services and framework agreements. Senior associate Eleanor Harley has also been active on a wide range of matters.

Travers Smith LLP continues to draw praise from clients, with a commercial offering that spans a variety of sectors and is increasingly active in the international space. Significant recent work includes advising new client Volta Trucsk on outsourced manufacturing arrangements with an Austrian supplier, as well as guiding NewsUK through its TalkSport licensing deals with a number of international broadcasters. A strong regulatory offering remains the cornerstone of the practice, working with utility, energy and financial clients on environmental clauses and ESG concerns. Dan Reavill fronts the group, with the ‘commercially pragmatic and balanced’ Richard Brown taking the lead on a number of complex mandates, including a strong focus on partnership agreements. Ben Chivers‘ practice concentrates on UK-based contractual matters, working with clients such as Oxford University and Nuffield Health, as well as Shinfield Studios on the large-scale film studio development at Thames Valley Park, while senior counsel Michael Cuthbertson lends strong energy and infrastructure expertise to advise on electric and green energy business operations. Both Senior counsel Michael Ross and Senior associate Richard Offord‘s broad capabilities ensure they are continually sought-out by colleagues to support a variety of matters in multiple sectors.

Sitting within the wider digital economy practice, Ashurst‘s commercial contracts team advises across a host of practice areas, spanning energy, automotive manufacturing, tech, telecoms, and financial services, among other focus areas. The practice is led by Christopher Bates and Nick Elverston, while other key figures include David Futter, Rhiannon Webster, and Sunny Kumar – who joined the team from K&L Gates LLP in June 2023.

Known for its life sciences, pharma and engineering expertise, the team at Bristows LLP is praised by clients for its depth of commercial knowledge and ‘impeccable service‘. Wielding specialist proficiency in regulatory issues such as intellectual property rights, competition and tax law, and data protection, the group are able to handle the full range of commercial issues – regularly cross border – for an expanding range of sectors, including sport, media and entertainment, food and beverage, and luxury fashion. Leveraging his medical background to advise on mandates such as SynaptixBio’s licence agreement with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and The Francis Crick Institute’s partnership Adendra Therapeutics, the highly-experienced Matthew Warren heads the team and has a wide portfolio of multi-jurisdictional commercial matters. Claire Smith is a go-to for supply and distribution agreements and also possesses strong a strong knowledge of the life science and pharmaceutical industries along with Richard Dickinson, who has a biochemistry background. Paul Jordan is recommended for marketing and brand protection mandates, while Ellen Lambrix, who was promoted to partner this year, has a broad practice that encompasses trade mark licensing, clinical trial agreements, and manufacturing arrangements.

With ever-expanding global capabilities, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner acts on a range of commercial issues, with continued excellence in the retail, tech, and fintech sphere. A key feature of the practice’s offering is helping big businesses’ strategic goal of improving customer reach, exemplified by Farfetch and Outlier Venture’s collaboration to launch a Web3 programme, and developing Estee Lauder’s loyalty programme in Israel. Richard Shaw and Marcus Pearl co-head the department, with the former primarily active on a litany of commercial agreements in the retail sector, and the latter concentrating on big-ticket telecommunications, tech and media matters, working with clients such as BT Group and Lumen. Carol Osborne‘s wide-ranging expertise has seen her advise on distribution agreements in the agricultural industry, global licence arrangements for retail giants, as well as transitional services agreements, while senior associate Kate Jeffery continues to provide valuable insight to a wide breadth of practice mandates.

A ‘responsive, practical and thorough’ practice, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP continues to work for sector-leading clients on an array of commercial arrangements, demonstrating activity in the retail, telecommunications and tech, transport and financial services industries. Over the last twelve months the firm has been particularly concentrated on the sports sector, acting for both sporting organisations such as the ITF and British Swimming on sponsorship, influencer and IP matters, in addition to clients engaging with bodies within the sector, such as software technology entity Sage on its various deals with Six Nations Rugby, Major League Baseball and The Hundred. The department is spearheaded by three highly-experienced practitioners; Mark Bailey, who handles tech and infrastructure related matters, whilst possessing notable expertise in IT and data centre issues; Jason Saiban, who exercises a strong advertising, marketing and sponsorship offering, working closely with key clients such as Nike and Samaritans; and Megan Paul, whose focus is on supply chain management and distribution agreements. Senior associate Caroline Young, who has been a main driver behind the for the firm’s growing life sciences activity, continues to garner praise from clients for the ‘sterling support’ she provides to business operations, fielding a broad practice that covers multiple sectors.

Possessing a regulatory outfit to match its global network, CMS’ deep bench of practitioners have the ability to act on the complex cybersecurity, data protection, IP, antitrust and ESG components of the commercial mandates they undertake from their diverse roster of clients. Beyond its work in the tech, energy and life sciences sphere, the firm has a notable track record on sport-related matters, including sponsorship and marketing contracts, as well as large-scale logistic and manufacturing arrangements for leading FTSE 100 retail conglomerates. Group head John Enser‘s strong reputation continues to generate a considerable amount of work for the practice, while Matthew Bennett has been particularly active on hospitality and e-commerce related issues, advising on licensing, logistic and supply-chain issues. Fielding strong expertise in IT outsourcings and procurement, Dominic Dryden focuses on energy and financial services work, whereas Ian Stevens is a key contact to the firm’s insurance and telecommunications clients. Laurence Kalman is a key lead advisor to some of the firm’s largest retail, media and telecommunications clients, acting on the full range of commercial matters, and of counsel Suparna Bhattacharjee continues to be an active presence in the team. John Cloke and of counsel Olly Kitchenside joined from DLA Piper in September 2022.

‘A well led, experienced team with a very commercial approach’, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP provides a wide offering owing to its depth and breath of practitioners located in and beyond London, and is experienced in acting on major templated transformation projects, joint venture agreements, facilities management and goods and services contracts. Beyond established sector presence in aerospace, transport and real estate, the group has seen a notable increase in sport, media and entertainment, and automotive related matters, acting for a range of blue-chip clients on complex and regularly cross-border issues, the latter of which is an area of particular strength for team head Peter McCormack. Working closely with the real estate and property department, Kelly Holmes acts on a broad range of property management and facilities management contractual work for a number of FTSE100 companies and public bodies, while Tom Bridgford is the key contact to AstraZeneca. Both Agnes Koko and principal associate Edward Tompkin have broad practices, with the former’s largely concentrated on transport-related issues and the latter on large-scale international outsourcings.

Known for its commercial awareness and deep understanding of business-risk, Gowling WLG is trusted by clients for the full range of business-critical contractual work, including a litany of outsourcing agreements, distribution and logistic arrangements, and joint ventures. Veterans in the retail, food and drink and automotive sectors, the team has an expanding breadth of work with big-ticket mandates regarding the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, where the team is still engaged with a number of legacy issues, and a number of transport, construction and real estate work. Leading the department is David Lowe, whose diverse commercial focus ensures he is sought-out for legal advice, particularly regarding supply chain concerns and the procurement of goods. Birmingham-based Sarah Riding has acted for Toyota in its procurement of innovative technological services, as well as in a wide range of commercial work for Weetabix as part of its purchase of Lacka Food. Jocelyn Paulley has supported a number of the department’s key mandates.

With strength in the retail, media and entertainment industries, the team at Lewis Silkin provides ‘expert advice and support on a number of different contractual and legal issues’, with a notable track record on strategic brand partnerships and sponsorships, route to market issues, and IP heavy deals. Jo Farmer and James Gill co-head the practice. Media buying contracts and content creator and influencer related mandates are the cornerstone of Farmer’s practice, while Gill has key strength in data, AI, and adtech issues, particularly surrounding the manufacturing, tech and retail sectors. Alan Hunt is highlighted for his diverse commercial outlook, and has recently been active on business-critical logistics requirements and supply contracts, producer, agency and introducer agreements, as well as complex outsourcing projects. Managing associate Alex Meloy is noted for his advertising, marketing and intellectual property acumen.

Linklaters LLP leverages its substantial global footprint to advise on a broad range of multi-jurisdictional commercial issues, including negotiating collaboration agreements between BHP Billiton Group, a leading mineral resource company, and I-Pulse, as well as the cross-supply agreements for one of the largest consumer section transactions over 2022 involving Perfetti Van Melle. The firm demonstrates notable strength counselling on transformational commercial partnerships and procurements. Supply chain specialist Marly Didizian heads the team, and utilises her healthcare credentials to act on complex practice mandates such as implementing Gavi’s global COVAX Facility, alongside constructing Advance Purchase Agreements with the world’s biggest vaccine manufacturers. Richard Cumbley has been active in the retail and transport sectors, acting on a number of regulatory issues and internal restructurings, while Greg Palmer continues to advise on outsourcing and supply arrangements. Energy and technology-related issues have formed the crux of Georgina Kon‘s practice, with technical know-how regarding IT contracts, cyber and data privacy concerns. Rich Jones has a broad commercial offering. Paul Joseph joined from Norton Rose Fulbright in 2022.

The commercial team at Slaughter and May advises on key contractual work, which underpins the high-level transactional mandates that flow from the London office. Beyond this scope of work, the group also demonstrates strong proficiency acting on stand-alone commercial contractual work, including advising on Marks & Spencer’s international distribution and franchise framework, as well as Richemont’s integration onto Farfetch’s e-commerce platform. Team head Duncan Blaikie has fronted some of the firm’s most significant deals, including Vodafone’s merger with Three, and General Electric Company of America’s sale of its nuclear steam turbine and generator business to Électricité de France – which fellow co-head Oly Moir also advised on. David Ives is a key contact to financial services and manufacturing clients, acting on a number of cross border commercial issues such as proof of concept, new services, and partnership agreements, while Rob Sumroy has a strong focus on sourcing and distribution work, especially if technology related. Associate Ian Ranson continues to garner a reputation for competently handling an impressive volume of commercial mandates.

Clifford Chance LLP continues to be a strong player in the tech advisory and M&A sphere, with a track record on asset management outsourcing and advising on the commercial aspects that underpin large, complex tower deals. Telefonica’s O2 UK mobile merger with Liberty Global’s Virgin Media, and Cellnex Telecom’s acquisition of the tower assets of CK Hutchinson are among the firm-led deals which the commercial team have been engaged with, alongside impressive standalone matters which include advising an overseas government on its long term transformational e-invoicing programme, and counselling an international bank on its outsourcing of highly regulated financial services business processes. Leading the team is André Duminy, who is a prominent name for complex technology projects and outsourcing arrangements, and has been active on telecommunication matters. IP specialist Stephen Reese is a go-to for healthcare and life sciences clients, while Zayed Al Jamil, who joined from Norton Rose Fulbright in 2022, has an established reputation advising on emerging technologies and data licensing issues. Associate Jenni Polson is particularly knowledgeable on outsourcing mandates.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP ‘demonstrates a very strong knowledge of commercial contracts in the IT service and central government spheres’, and is well regarded for its deep bench of collaborative practitioners. Recent work highlights include drafting new partnership agreements for Uber, structuring e-commerce template agreements and models for major British multinationals, and acting as an extension of the in-house legal teams for clients such as FTI Consulting and PZ Cussons. Tech and digital expert Nick Pantlin heads the team, with strong proficiencies in outsourcing and logistic arrangements, in addition to possessing a strong regulatory offering. Co-head Stephen Rayfield has been active in the transport sector, working closely with his infrastructure colleagues on PFI Project agreements and long term services subcontractor appointments, while third co-head Hayley Brady has an impressive international practice which has seen her advise clients in the Middle East and Asia, most notably on large global template agreements. Senior associate James Balfour is also noted, especially for mandates linked to ESG endeavours.

Luxury fashion and beauty work forms the cornerstone of the practice at K&L Gates LLP, with clients such as Coty and Gucci regularly instructing the firm on high-profile, landmark advertising, marketing and supply chain agreements. Beyond this sphere of work, the team combines strong regulatory and multi-jurisdictional capabilities to advise on distribution arrangements and compliance issues for leading tech, manufacturing and automotive names, as well as particularly prominent contractual work in the entertainment and life sciences sector – an area which Richard Dollimore is well-versed in. Practice head Catherine Adam is routinely sought out in the wake of growing e-commerce related mandates, and is well-positioned to handle the full range of commercial issues whilst acting as the key-contact to retail, fashion and beauty clients. Jennifer Marsh is singled out for her distribution, agency and reseller contractual expertise, while Arthur Artinian leverages strong IP knowledge to advise on licence reviews and disputes, global advertising campaigns, and consumer sales terms and privacy policies. Gabriela Da Costa has worked closely with Maytronics to guide them through updating their distribution and reseller commercial terms, and was recently promoted to partner. Other individuals to note are associate Georgina Rigg, who has been very active supporting the full wealth of practice mandates, and senior associate Noirin McFadden, who has a strong background in technology and data protection matters. Associate Anna Sikora joined from an in-house position at Vodafone in 2022 to further bolster the group’s expertise.

Possessing a ‘high quality team’ acting in an ‘excellent commercial practice’, Osborne Clarke LLP acts on a host of varying domestic and cross border mandates, including complex leasing and maintenance agreements, distribution arrangements, and joint venture endeavours. John Buyers and Will Robertson both lead the group. Robertson is well-regarded for his IT, data analytics and privacy work in the retail sector. Lara Burch has largely concentrated on energy and utilities related issues, as well as life science and retail projects, while Edward Barratt is singled out for his substantial involvement in a wide portfolio of manufacturing and transport-related matters.

An already well-established presence in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sphere, Stephenson Harwood is consolidating its position through wider sector activity, including sponsorship, publishing and service agreements for Qatar Museums, luxury hotel and Michelin-star partnership agreements, and guiding City Sightseeing Limited through its franchise agreements with foreign jurisdictions. The team is under the leadership of Dan Holland, who is the key contact to pharmaceutical clients such as Oxford Biomedica – whom he advised on its new three-year Master Services & Development Agreement with AstraZeneca –  as well as energy and transport companies. Hospitality and leisure businesses seek Naomi Leach‘s assistance on distribution and supply agreements, while Katie Hewson has been in demand by multinational corporates for cross-border service arrangements. Managing associate Chloe Haywood has built up a wealth of expertise and experience supporting a broad range of the practice’s pharmaceutical matters alongside associate Bobbie Bickerton, who is also noted for her data protection proficiency.

TLT attracts instructions from a variety of clients across the public sector, retail, food and drink, and financial services on the full range of business-critical agreements. Beyond a clear proficiency in supplier and distribution-based arrangements, the team also act on creating bespoke global payment and services agreements, alongside framework and strategic partnership agreements. Perran Jervis leads the group, and has a practice centred on retail & consumer good, acting as the key contact for Sainsbury’s, WH Smith and Superdry in recent years. Pauline Cowie is well-versed in the key issues surrounding outsourcing, particularly when regarding warehousing and distribution services with third-party logistic providers, whereas Alex Williamson leverages a wealth of secondment experience to competently advise on a wide range of agreements, with a notable proficiency in payment services mandates. Stuart Campbell is a regular port-of-call for financial services clients, with recent work involving creating new global template agreements and developing e-commerce capabilities. Recently promoted partner Eleanor McClelland has been highly active on complex multi-jurisdictional logistic arrangements and international brand licensing agreements, while senior associate Matt Atkinson‘s acumen is critical to the firm’s payments and fintech offering.

A trusted advisor to a litany of clients in the manufacturing, retail, automotive, consumer goods and Infratech sectors, Browne Jacobson LLP excels at a wide array of commercial contractual work, acting in both standalone supply chain, distribution and logistical matters as well as collaborative and joint venture endeavours. The team is led by Declan Cushley, who is a go-to for the leading cosmetic and luxury beauty brands in the firm’s roster, and is regularly supported by Faye McConnell, who brings valuable insight to brand strategy and enforcement. Richard Nicholas leverages significant tech expertise to act on outsourcing, data protection and e-commerce issues, while Cat Driscoll is principally noted for her work on supply chain, manufacturing and outsourcing arrangements, as well as facilities management. Emma Roake, who joined from Fox Williams LLP in 2022, has bolstered the team’s competence regarding agency, distribution, franchising and marketplace mandates.

Known for its aptitude in rail, public sector, energy and financial services matters, Burges Salmon LLP has made further strides into sectors such as music, film and entertainment, food and drink, and sport, including long-term logistic contracts, CRM and loyalty scheme arrangements, and catering contracts. Helen Scott-Lawler has been active across the full breadth of practice matters, collaborating with her projects and construction colleagues for large transport and nuclear matters, and being the key representative to clients such as John Lewis Partnership and The Racecourse Association. Director Richard Hugo has a notable portfolio of commercial mandates, including multiple cross-border instructions involving the United States, while senior associate Neil Connor-McLaren is steadily gaining a reputation for his proficiency in licensing, marketing and sponsorship arrangements.

Benefitting from a global reach of 85 territories and over 400,000 employees, Deloitte Legal acts on a range of multi-jurisdictional matters generated by a client list of numerous leading names. Equipped with regulatory and technological expertise – including blockchain, AI and platform-based business models – the team have been active on advertising, sponsorship and marketing partnerships, outsourcing and distribution arrangements, and customer agreements with logistics providers. Andrew Joint leads the team and focuses on the tech contracting and advisory work, whilst also spearheading Deloitte’s artificial intelligence, robotic process automation and cloud technologies work. Fellow co-head Calum Murray has a similar tech background, but is also singled out for his extensive activity in the retail and consumer sector, alongside a substantial range of media and entertainment mandates. Craig Conte also comes recommended, alongside Peggie Pauwels, who joined the group from a leading role at Visa in April 2022.

Ernst & Young LLP is making strides in the legal market with a number of significant practitioner arrivals over the course of 2022, including the former head of fintech at Addleshaw Goddard Fiona Ghosh, and ex-Gateley Legal commercial partner Sarah Reynolds. Together, they join an already deep bench of advisors acting on a variety of commercial matters in the retail, healthcare, and media spaces, as well as the financial services matters in which the group showcases particularly strong capabilities. Group head Colette Withey is singled out for her far-reaching expertise, guiding businesses through a range of logistics and warehousing, procurement, manufacturing and supply chain issues. Fellow-co head Rowan Armstrong acts as the key contact to the group’s financial services and insurance clients. Director Ian Williamson leverages strong data and regulatory knowledge to advise on tech and IT related mandates.

Farrer & Co is an established advisor to high-profile UK bodies and businesses, with notable matters such as constructing the sustainability partnership agreements between National Parks Partnership and BMW, with the aim of developing electric charging infrastructure. Beyond its reputable sport related work, the firm also acts on a number of mandates relating to art and culture, media and publishing, education and technology, with team head Paul Jones overseeing joint ventures, supply and distribution arrangements in all these areas. Whilst possessing broad expertise, David Copping has primarily been active in pharmaceutical, care and hospitality matters. Associates Antonia Lyne and David Morgan also come recommended, supporting a range of practice mandates.

Fladgate LLP handles a range of domestic work, acting for household UK names in the hospitality, retail and sport sectors – amongst others. The firm demonstrates proficiency in conducting complex outsourcing agreements, and leverages competition law and regulatory expertise to provide a full, end to end service to client’s business needs. Tim Wright, Jan Hoppe and Alex Haffner front the team, with expertise in sport, IT and supply chain issues, and technology and telecoms respectively. All three individuals are widely active on matters, and regularly work alongside James Earl, a sport-focused practitioner who has been key to a number of cross border mandates.

Supply-chain and logistics issues form the cornerstone of the practice at HFW, which is highly active on behalf of retailers and commodity traders, with particular expertise in shipping. Outside this work, the team also demonstrates proficiency in constructing sponsorship arrangements between companies and celebrities, partnership agreements in the aerospace sphere, and in providing bespoke, global training programmes for in-house contract managers. Matthew Gore and Catherine Emsellem-Rope co-head the group, with the former singled out for his focus on international port and terminal contracts, and the latter on complex, long term supply agreements. Judith Prior is a seasoned practitioner who is well-versed in oil and sugar trading terms. Matthew Wilmshurst also comes recommended, acting on mandates in the transport, retail, defence and education sectors.

Howard Kennedy LLP fields a commercial team headed by Robert Lands – who excels in brand licensing and endorsement deals – that has added further strength to its offering through the arrival of four junior practitioners over the course of 2022, including Amy Cunliffe-Rowe, formerly of 3CS Corporate Solicitors, who has quickly engaged with a number of differing mandates and has increased the group’s data protection capabilities. The team show skill in supply, agency and distribution agreements, particularly in the food and drink, hospitality and entertainment sectors, and have overseen some notable matters regarding advertising and influence level agreements, regularly fronted by Alex Watt, for marketing and retail companies.

Beyond the department’s strength in the manufacturing sector, Mishcon de Reya LLP have been under instruction from a wide range of large sector players regarding contractual work, with big-ticket mandates including PR services, influencer, and supply chain arrangements, as well as large scale commercialisation agreements pertaining to the use of retail park space. Group head Lewis Cohen has a wide-reaching practice, with particular acumen in manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements, whereas Adam Rose is noted for his ability to cover a range of real estate contractual issues. Simon Leaf is also recommended for his experience working with asset managers and investment funds, while the merger at the start of the year with Taylor Vinters has seen the arrival of a number of associates which have bolstered the team’s bench.

Shoosmiths LLP has engaged with a body of commercial work over the past twelve months, capitalising on its strong automotive reputation to act on issues such as logistics, warehousing services and cross-border framework, supply, licence agreements. In addition to this, the group highlights its wide reach with notable sponsorship and media arrangements in the sports industry, power purchase agreements for household UK retail clients, as well as warehouse and distribution operations in the food and beverage sector. Robin Webb is a standout name for his close work with an extensive list of automotive manufacturing giants, while Michelle Craven-Faulkner is praised by the market for her ‘good knowledge’ of industries and ‘trustful cooperation’. Simon McArdle is a key figure for his proficiencies in critical logistics outsourcings, as well as AI. Fiona Teague is recommended for her ‘excellent advice’.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP‘s commercial offering is split between three teams; commercial contracts and outsourcing, digital, and IP. Practitioners in all three groups collaborate on supply chain and logistic contracts, complex framework and franchise arrangements, as well as domestic and international distribution agreements. Paula Bartlett spearheads the group and is active across the firm’s core sectors; retail, transport and tech. Peter Snaith leverages previous industry experience to act on manufacturing mandates, especially logistics issues, while Lucy Pringle’s practice has a notable concentration on international trade contracts. Stephen Anderson is highlighted for his work pertaining to government contracts, as well as supply chain agreements for international retailers. Sarah Daun, who made partner in 2022, is noted.