IT specialist Antony Hall heads up Mincoffs Solicitors LLP' Newcastle-based team. He chairs the professional services network of Dynamo North East and is a member of the Chartered Institute for IT. He is often called upon to provide strategic advice to tech clients, most notably in relation to the protection and exploitation of software and digital media as well as to all aspects of running businesses in the cloud including SaaS, PaaS, outsourcing, software licensing and distribution. The team is adept in handling a range of high-profile matters, especially in the video games and interactive media industries. Recent growth sectors include AI and robotics.

With strength across the TMT sectors, Muckle LLP‘s IT team is comprised of litigator George Festing, handling the contentious side of the practice while practice head Alex Craig advises on non-contentious matters with intersecting expertise in tech, data and IP. Anthony Evans, Adam Rayner and Matthew Walsh advise numerous tech businesses on corporate M&A and investments with expertise in digital corporate, edtech, fintech commercial contract and information security. The group’s client portfolio spans across a variety of sectors, including automotive, food and drink, manufacturing, financial services, IT, venture capital and private equity.

The Newcastle-based IT team at Ward Hadaway LLP is led by Damien Charlton and provides nationally and multijurisdictional advice in both the public and private sectors acting on behalf of major suppliers, especially in technology-inherent privacy issues. With a previous career in IT, Judy Baker ‘is a deep subject matter expert with a real passion for her specialism. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her breadth of knowledge is commendable.' Phil Tompkins has expertise in all aspects of IT law including advising on smart metering, connected vehicles, electric vehicles batteries, cloud software solutions and licensing. Tim Toomey is the key name for IT disputes. Matthew Cormack was named partner in May 2022.

Weightmans’s IT team has a long track record of working with tech companies on their formation, funding, commercialisation and ultimately successful exit. The group is frequently called upon to advise on complex tech and IT disputes, particularly on distressed IT implementation projects. Paul Wigham heads up the team which regularly acts for venture capitalists and accelerator programmes focused on technology businesses. Duncan Reid specialises in corporate transactions, including acquisitions and disposals, as well as private equity transactions. Recently, the group has seen an uptick in cyber security related advice. Marc Allison and Christopher Graham are also noted.

The practice at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP has expertise across several areas including financial services, insurance, manufacturing and chemicals. The practice is well-versed in restructuring matters and provides advice on digital services such as data transfer arrangements. Caroline Churchill advises on a range of commercial contracts including distribution, agency and franchising arrangements. She co-heads the team with Alastair Mitton who handles licensing and outsourcing issues. Sarah Daun is a privacy law expert and works on data protection matters with support from James Cooper who focuses on e-commerce.

Sintons LLP’s IT team works at the intersection of intellectual property and tech, with particular sector strength in health tech. Commercial department head Karen Simms also heads up the IT team housing strong associate including Louise Weatherhead, and senior associates Chloe Dinsdale and Pippa Aitken who specialises in advising the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on licensing agreements and other commercial/IP agreements. The group is adept in advising clients in the public, private and third sector on a range of commercial projects including the protection and commercialisation of IP rights, IT contracts, SaaS Agreements, and health tech contracts.