The highest ranked of the firm's departments in The Legal 500, the Media & Technology team is headed by Mark O'Halloran, who is praised by clients as "tenacious yet always clear, concise and personable" and whose advice is "grounded in the real world and helps me make the informed business decisions that I need to."
The team's activities broadly divide into three areas: (1) high-end technology (both hardware and software), (2) new media and (3) beauty and entertainment.
Technology
As technology lawyers in Sussex, the team acts for the European wings of several major multinationals including Tokyo Electron Limited (the world's second largest manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment), Illinois Tool Works, Inc (a global manufacturer of construction products and industrial polymers & fluids) and Canusa-CPS (the leading Canadian developer of specialty coatings for oil pipelines). We also regularly advise UK software developers, including Cardinus Ltd, the country's number one ranked supplier of software to the optical profession.
New Media
Sussex media lawyer, Mark O'Halloran, has been an enthusiastic supporter of new media since the industry blossomed in Brighton eight years ago and was a regular speaker at the early networking events. Many of the start-ups he helped are now established clients, including Red Seven Leisure Ltd, the online travel and holiday agency founded by Sussex Entrepreneur of the Year 2008/2009, Ian Lucas. Mark also designed the corporate structure for Brighton-based Radio Reverb Ltd which was awarded the UK's first Community Radio Licence.
Beauty and Entertainment
From acquiring brand rights from fashion designers on behalf of perfume producers to representing screen writers, comedians and theatre companies, acting as Sussex based beauty and entertainment lawyers, the firm is adept at helping creative clients meet the challenges of the business world. Emma Ladd recently designed the structure for the exploitation of the film rights to the forthcoming movie about ThrustSSC land speed record and is also advising the team behind the Bloodhound challenge to that record. The team is also involved in the regional art scene and several theatre productions a year (both on stage and as stage management) which gives them a key insight into their work as entertainment lawyers in Sussex.
Whatever sector you are in, intellectual property is likely to be crucial. stevensdrake has extensive experience in dealing with trade marks and domain names, design rights and copyright, confidentiality agreements, data protection and licensing across all sectors - it's a proactive Sussex firm of lawyers with specialist knowledge of Intellectual property law. We pride ourselves on providing practical, commercially-astute advice in this often difficult area to help clients achieve their business objectives and the best return on their creativity and innovation.
