Legal Directories

Chambers UK

November 2009

Advertising & Marketing

THE FIRM: This outfit has particular understanding and experience of digital technology, IP and data protection as it relates to advertising and marketing law. It has recently acted for AKQA in a number of matters, advising it on an agreement with Ferrari and on several copy clearance matters.

KEY INDIVIDUALS: The key contact here is Calum Murray.

Corporate / M&A: Lower Mid-Market - London

THE FIRM: This firm is widely renowned for its expertise in the technology sector, and its strong reputation in this area feeds into a large part of the corporate team’s work. It frequently advises blue-chip companies on various aspects of restructuring, divestments and acquisitions; it also handles listing and delisting, financing and M&A for private and AIM-listed companies in the technology and energy arenas. T-Mobile, Expedia and Thomson Reuters are just some of the household names represented by Kemp Little.

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Lucy Vernall is well known for her work with technology companies on M&A, financings and restructurings. Clients such as Thomson Reuters and Sunstone Capital rely on her skills for crafting a deal.

LEADING INDIVIDUAL: Lucy Vernall

Employment

THE FIRM: A compact but well-rounded team, Kemp Little punches above its weight and provides good value for money. A leading contender in technology-focused work, the firm acts for eBay, Skype and Gumtree on employment-related matters. The team is adept at both contentious and non-contentious matters. Highlights include major disputes in the airline industry, acting for an investment company on a ground-breaking stress-related disability claim, and advising Burberry on outsourcing projects and a reorganisation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Christopher Middleton is sought after for his commercially focused advice on complex employee relations issues. Team head David Williams is a “constant source of reliable advice and reassurance.”

LEADING INDIVIDUALS: David Williams and Chris Middleton

IP (General)

THE FIRM: This niche firm is singled out for its experience representing clients in the technology, digital media and telecoms sectors. Highlights include advising SITA on a software and IP management project. Other clients include Fox Interactive Media/MySpace and LOVEFiLM International.

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Paul Garland is a skilful project manager. His practice encompasses trade mark, patent and copyright matters.

LEADING INDIVIDUAL: Paul Garland

IT

THE FIRM: This technology specialist boutique in the City is smaller than many rivals, yet works for many large clients. One highlight of the team's work was handling NexTag's partner agreements and website documentation, providing specific UK data protection and other regulatory advice and advice on partner insolvency.
Sources Say: "It's a great little outfit producing top-quality work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Richard Kemp recently worked on a high-profile software management project for SITA.

LEADING INDIVIDUAL: Richard Kemp

Media & Entertainment (computer games)

THE FIRM: This smaller outfit has been acting for EA and Nintendo Europe on operational, passing off and copyright infringement issues. It also counselled mobile gaming company Glu on aspects of its IPO, global restructuring and promotions.
Sources Say: "Speedy reaction times and strong technical expertise."

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Paul O’Hare is the key contact.

Outsourcing

THE FIRM: This team handles more ITOs than BPOs. It advises suppliers as well as customers, and also handles the outsourcings of other law firms’ back office facilities. In one recent highlight, it advised Serco on IT, facilities and infrastructure security, software distribution and integration and customer care.
Sources Say: "A great technology firm offering real quality and value."

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Technology-minded Paul O'Hare handles outsourcings in addition to IT and data protection work. He advises suppliers and buyers on a range of technology-related contracts, and acts for a number of global and UK-based software and data supply companies on the full range of operational and transactional requirements.

LEADING INDIVIDUAL: Paul O'Hare

Telecoms

THE FIRM: Although smaller than some of its rivals, this 13-strong team continues to advise on a range of impressive commercial, regulatory and technological issues. The firm has particular experience in regulatory matters, having acted for Gamma on a complaint to Ofcom over BT and interconnection services, and for Inspired Gaming on a complex dispute with BT. The team has also been tackling work concerning managed services and data centres, as well as submarine cable system matters.
Sources Say: "One of the smartest niche groups in the business."

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Group head Mike Conradi wins respect for his "ability to grasp complex technical points quickly," and for his "skill in navigating through the constraints of a tough regulatory environment."Richard Kemp is "extraordinarily technical, commercial and fast-thinking," and handled the legal and contractual aspects of T-Mobile’s widget platform project.

LEADING INDIVIDUALS: Richard Kemp and Mike Conradi

Travel

THE FIRM: This team utilises its strong telecoms and technology expertise to assist clients such as Expedia, which it advises on a range of commercial, corporate governance and technical projects. Indeed, many sources were quick to praise the firm's online prowess. It also works closely with IATA, and has been assisting bmi and Japan Airlines with employment matters arising out of restructurings.
Sources Say: "Really understands the Internet and knows the e-commerce side of travel inside-out."

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Department head Calum Murray earns significant praise from interviewees.

LEADING INDIVIDUAL: Calum Murray

THE LEGAL 500 UK EDITION

September 2009

Of the boutique TMT practices, those that genuinely compete with the top-tier firms in terms of understanding the cutting-edge issues affecting the industry include Kemp Little LLP (for IT and telecoms).

Corporate and Commercial

M & A Smaller Deals Up To £50m

Kemp Little LLP’s four-partner M&A practice, headed by Lucy Vernall, stands out for the quality of its blue-chip technology client base, which includes Thomson Reuters and Expedia. The team focuses on three core areas: large technology-sector corporates, AIM-listed technology companies, and private equity providers operating in the technology sector.

Outsourcing and Procurement

Kemp Little LLP continues to add to its roster of blue-chip outsourcing clients, which includes Burberry, Expedia and Thomson Reuters. Paul O’Hare has ‘outstanding commercial awareness’; he leads a team that ‘always delivers in time and at a good price’, and excels at mid-market outsourcing deals.

Venture Capital

Kemp Little LLP’s TMT client base is now accompanied by various VC funds. Notable client wins for 2008 included Amadeus Capital and Sunstone Capital. Lucy Vernall and Charles Claisse are recommended.

Human Resources

Employment

Clients of Kemp Little LLP single out the ‘excellent standard of customer service’ along with outstanding response times. It continues to act for bmi on all employment issues arising out of London Heathrow, and won Royal Brompton NHS Trust as a new client in 2008. David Williams is recommended.

Technology, Media and Telecoms

Intellectual Property

Kemp Little LLP’s contentious IP partner Paul Garland is ‘approachable and easy to work with’ and has ‘excellent business understanding’. Clients include LOVEFILM International.

IT and Telecoms

In the ‘extremely gifted’ Richard Kemp, ‘very impressive’ group head Calum Murray, ‘thoughtful and determined’ telecoms practice head Mike Conradi and outsourcing practice head Paul O’Hare, Kemp Little LLP has a team unsurpassed in the market for technical prowess. The department added Salesforce and Orange, among others, as IT clients in 2008. The telecoms practice also continued its progress, garnering new instructions from Colt and Dubai World Centre.

Richard Kemp is listed as a Leading Individual.

Media and Entertainment

Technology and IP specialist Kemp Little LLP is well placed to handle convergence and digital media matters. Paul O’Hare advised Sling Media on its UK product launch, while Calum Murray represents Lovefilm on digital media issues. Richard Kemp advises digital creative agencies, music clients including PPL and publishers Thomson Reuters. Computer games expert Andy Moseby and IP litigator Paul Garland advise Glu Mobile and AKQA.

PLC Which Lawyer

2009

Kemp Little is ranked in the following areas in PLC Which Lawyer:

Information Technology
Kemp Little is one of 3 firms to be ranked as a leading for Information Technology. Richard Kemp is listed as one of 3 leading individuals and Calum Murray is recommended.

IP: Commercial IP
Kemp Little is a recommended firm. Paul O'Hare is listed as a recognised individual.

Media
Kemp Little is a recommended firm and Calum Murray is listed as a recommended individual.

Outsourcing
Kemp Little is a recommended firm and Calum Murray and Paul O'Hare are listed as recommended and recognised individuals.

Telecommunications
Kemp Little is a recommended firm and Mike Conradi is listed as a recommended individual.