Paul Cairns joins Harbottle & Lewis from Electronic Arts

Harbottle & Lewis is delighted to announce the arrival of Paul Cairns as a partner in the Interactive Entertainment Group. Paul, who was previously with the firm and a specialist in the video games industry, joins from Electronic Arts where he was Vice President of Business Affairs. His arrival will further strengthen the Harbottle team which is consistently ranked as a leading UK firm for its computer games expertise. Paul took up his new role on 6 October 2008.

Paul trained with Harbottle & Lewis and subsequently spent four years working in the firm's sports and intellectual property groups. He joined Electronic Arts in 2000, taking responsibility of European Business Affairs before spending two years at the company's headquarters in California where he was responsible for Worldwide Business Affairs for EA SPORTS. Paul was a member of the EA SPORTS Label Executive working directly with Peter Moore, President of EA SPORTS and former head of Xbox.

Glen Atchison, Managing Partner, said: "Paul has an excellent reputation as a games lawyer and having worked for one of the world's leading games companies, his industry knowledge is second to none. His experience in both the games and sports industries will be a valuable asset for both the firm and our clients. We are delighted that he is rejoining us.

Mark Phillips, Partner and founder of the firm's Interactive Entertainment practice, commented: "Since the inception of the video games industry in the 1980s, Harbottle & Lewis has consistently been acknowledged as a leading legal and commercial advisor to the industry. Paul's industry experience and expertise brings a key additional dimension to the practice and will not only maintain but enhance the quality of its offering."

Paul Cairns, Partner, commented "Although it was a very difficult decision to leave Electronic Arts, I'm delighted to be back at Harbottle & Lewis. I hope that my experience from within the interactive entertainment industry will put me in a good position to provide relevant and practical advice for our clients".
For further information, please contact Caroline Renton on 020 7667 5231.

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07/09/08
Note for Editors

Harbottle & Lewis LLP
Harbottle & Lewis provides specialist advice to the media and entertainment industries. It is consistently recognised as a leading firm in these areas by independent sources.

Firm overview: The firm's work encompasses all areas of media and entertainment, including in addition to interactive entertainment, film, television, broadcasting, sport, music, publishing, advertising fashion and theatre and remains unique in having expertise right across these sectors.

We provide a complete range of commercial advice to our clients, including: buying and selling businesses and companies, joint ventures, finance, capital markets, commercial disputes, property, employment, immigration and tax. Other specialist legal areas include, sponsorship, intellectual property, legal issues relating to media, including defamation, advertising, brand protection, data protection, privacy, art and gaming and gambling as well as private client and matrimonial work. The firm's expertise in other areas such as aviation and charities is also widely recognised. Our media, entertainment and IP experience puts us in an ideal position to act for charities with strong brands, entering into commercial fundraising agreements and putting on major fundraising events.

Much of our work involves the technology, new media and telecoms industries and we have done ground-breaking work in connection with the digital exploitation of content and e-commerce generally. Specialist knowledge and understanding of the entertainment industry and related IP issues enables the firm to identify and deal with the key issues at an early stage, and then negotiate and provide commercially sound legal advice from a position of strength.

Issued by:
Caroline Renton
Head of Marketing
Tel: 020 7667 5231
Email: caroline.renton@harbottle.com