legal focus 45


Winning applause in the world of sports


and entertainment Since Pitmans merged with SK Sport and Entertainment, the dedicated team is winning more and more clients thanks to its specialist expertise in areas such as sponsorship deals, media agreements and intellectual property


Today, the team represents the elite of the sporting and entertainment world – with top name clients including the British Fashion Council; the word’s largest concert promoter Live Nation; Hasbro, the world’s largest toy manufacturer; the England and Wales Cricket Board; and even the world’s fastest sprinter, Usain Bolt.


Partner Jeremy Summers recently returned from the US, where he and the team were advising on contracts for the opening of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Broadway, and he is also involved in other off-Broadway productions, demonstrating the breadth of Pitmans’ worldwide expertise.


Other recent major projects have included legal support at the Help for Heroes concert at Twickenham, signing up the artists and talent, and international trademark and filing assistance for top musical acts including The Ting Tings and White Lies.


“We’ve always been recognised for our expertise in areas such as intellectual property, trademark filing and brand protection,” said Summers. “Since the merger we have been able to undertake this type of work much more easily for Pitmans’ clients, ensuring that they have the legal protection they need for their brands and taking the opportunity to utilise the broad range of skills that have been brought together.”


A new recruit to the team is Phil James, who has joined as a partner from Lewis Silkin. His practice focuses on the convergence of digital, media and data, the exploitation of content on new media platforms and how to maximise value, and minimise risk, in digital distribution.


James is an expert in data privacy and information law and advises clients on reputation management and implementing effective data strategies.


Meanwhile, intellectual property specialist Sally Britton, who is based at Pitmans’ City of London office, has been promoted to director within the Pitmans SK division, advising clients within the sports and entertainment areas.


Britton’s areas of specialty include advising on brand protection and exploitation, including trademark and design prosecution, portfolio management, infringement matters, ticket issues and commercial contracts.


Prior to qualifying in law, Britton worked as a brand manager for Heinz and Budweiser, giving her an insider’s view of the issues around intellectual property, leading Avery to add: “Sally’s specific understanding from her time as a brand manager has given her a unique understanding of the exact issues being faced and her advice is highly valued and sought after as a result.”


New team players


Pitmans’ ability to attract top-class players to join its different specialist teams delivers great results.


Over the past year, some 40 newcomers have arrived to strengthen the firm’s offering in a variety of areas and, with its eye on training tomorrow’s expert lawyers, it has increased trainee intake by some 50%.


Managing partner Christopher Avery said: “It’s tremendously exciting to see the depth and strength of the expertise that our new team members bring to the firm. Pitmans has developed a reputation as a sought-after company to work for and we are delighted at the calibre and undoubted talent of recruits that we continue to attract.


“We are also thrilled to have expanded the number of trainees we have been able to take on. We’ve always made a real commitment to training the lawyers of tomorrow and are delighted that several of our new appointments have been solicitors who trained and qualified with us.”


Pensions plus


Recently, the pensions team expanded with the appointment of Ben Blunsdon as director, bringing with him over 13 years’ experience as a pensions lawyer. His areas of expertise include advising trustees, employers and stakeholders on a wide range of pension issues.


Joining alongside him is Julian Richards, former head of pensions at union Amicus, who trained and qualified as a solicitor at Pitmans. He was recently able to utilise his union background when he advised one of Britain’s major unions on restructuring and de-risking its pension provision.


Among the pensions team’s clients are Sony Music Entertainment, American


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2011


Airlines and Reading Transport and the 30-strong practice team has seen annual growth of 40% in its area alone.


Matrimonial law


Another new director to join Pitmans is Owen Reynolds, who has recently been appointed to the matrimonial department. A family law expert since 1996, Reynolds specialises in matrimonial finances, including divorce, cohabitee disputes and Children Act matters, and also undertakes pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements for the prevention of future disputes.


Hat-trick of new recruits


Pitmans’ defendant insurance team expanded three-fold recently with the appointment of new solicitors Joanne Eden, Stacey Marsh and William Meek.


Eden defends all types of personal injury claims on behalf of insurers, adjusters and commercial clients, and also specialises in industrial disease actions, including deafness. Legal directory Chambers UK said she “attracts praise from market observers for her ‘thoroughness and efficiency’ in advising clients defending employers’ liability claims”.


Marsh specialises in fast-rack and multi- track motor litigation, and criminal prosecutions arising from motor accidents.


Meek brings with him a broad range of experience of insurance disputes, acting for clients with a specific focus on employers’ liability and property damage claims, subrogated recoveries, and policy and coverage disputes.


Ferhat Choudri, head of defendant insurance, welcomed his new team and said their arrival would “add further strength and depth to this already thriving practice”.


www.businessmag.co.uk


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