Category: News

We are pleased to be ranked 10^th in RollOnFriday’s Best Law Firms to Work At 2025. Following our debut in the rankings last year, we continue to be recognised among other leading law firms for fostering a collaborative, engaging and supportive workplace.

Each year, RollOnFriday surveys thousands of people working in private practice to assess their firms across key areas such as career development, management, culture, work/life balance, pay and office environment. This year’s results are a testament to our continued commitment to providing a workplace where our people can thrive both professionally and personally.

The full rankings can be viewed here. In the coming weeks, RollOnFriday will release further insights into each category.

Our technology, data and digital team has written the UK Q&A chapter on ICLG with Emma, as contributing editor, writing an expert analysis chapter which provides an overview of telecoms in 2025. In addition, Emma and Rupam have together written the UK Q&A chapter in the guide.

Emma’s chapter gives an overview of the common issues currently impacting telecoms law and regulation, particularly on the UK’s efforts to regulate online content through the establishment of the Online Safety Act and the challenges of regulating such content in the aftermath of major global events. The chapter also addresses the surge in interest surrounding generative artificial intelligence and the associated concerns about the spread of disinformation. This chapter is available to read in full here.

The UK Q&A chapter put together by the team looks in detail at common issues in telecoms, media and internet laws and regulations from a UK perspective. This chapter can be read in full here.

The ICLG series covers 58 practice areas and brings cross-border insights to legal practitioners worldwide. The Telecoms, Media & Internet section covers the key issues in the laws and regulations of this area including telecoms, radio spectrum, cybersecurity, interception, encryption, data retention, distribution of audio-visual media, internet infrastructure, and industry changes across 18 jurisdictions.

Emma Wright, partner and head of our technology, data and digital group, has been included in the top 20 Most Influential Women in UK Tech 2024. Emma is the only practising lawyer to be included in the top 50.

Emma was commended for her work with the OECD, WEF and the ITU on the regulation of AI, as well as her work with the Ditchley Foundation to consider whether the collaborative approach used for telecoms can also work for AI regulation.

The list, compiled by Computer Weekly, showcases the most influential and successful women in the technology industry, shining a light on the sector’s role models who look to inspire the next generation of women in tech with the aim of creating a more diverse and inclusive sector.

The top 50 shortlist was whittled down by a panel of expert judges from a longlist of more than 700 nominated women. You can find the full list here.

Emma also gave a keynote speech at this week’s Diversity in Tech conference hosted by Harvey Nash and Computer Weekly.

We are pleased to announce our partnership with South East Angels, an influential angel investor community which aims to back exceptional founders in their journey towards building impactful companies.

The partnership will enable us to support the founders and investors within the South East Angels community with a combination of legal expertise in the startup and venture capital space and deep industry-specific understanding across a range of sectors.

Kristina Pereckaite, South East Angels’ managing director, stated:

“We are delighted to welcome Harbottle & Lewis as our Trusted Legal Partner. Getting the legals right in fundraising is crucial for both founders and investors, forming the foundation of successful ventures. At South East Angels we’re all about people, and we have specifically chosen to work with Harbottle & Lewis because of their credible and trustworthy team. This partnership will provide our members with invaluable legal insights and resources, significantly enhancing the value we bring to our angel investing community. Together, we look forward to fostering innovation, ensuring sound legal foundations, and driving growth in the startup ecosystem.”

Tony Littner, our co-managing partner, commented:

“We are excited to partner with South East Angels and contribute to their thriving investment community. Our deep understanding of the legal landscape for startups and investors, combined with South East Angels’ network and expertise, creates a powerful synergy. We look forward to providing tailored legal support and co-creating resources that will empower both founders and investors in their journeys.”

Tony Littner, who leads our startup and venture capital practice, previously sat on the technical board of the UKBAA (UK Business Angels Association), the national trade association for angel and early-stage investment in the UK and, as a firm, we have a long-standing involvement in and commitment to the business angel ecosystem. We are committed to providing cutting edge advice to our clients at each stage of their angel investing journey.

To read the full press release from South East Angels, click here.

Harbottle & Lewis has advised GLOBE Groupe, the first European group dedicated to shopper marketing and sales, on the acquisition of N2O, an agency specialising in brand experience and retail marketing. Founded in 2002 by the President of the group, Jeremy Dahan, GLOBE Groupe’s mission is to support the commercial transformation of brands and boost sales by addressing the needs of new retail: phygital, shopper centric and experiential.

Commenting on the deal, Jeremy Dahan said: “The deal enables GLOBE Groupe to strengthen its presence in the UK and marks a significant new step in the group’s growth strategy across Europe. Together, N2O and GLOBE Groupe aim to redefine the marketing landscape by driving dynamic growth and delivering unparalleled added value to their clients. This acquisition paves the way for continued success and innovation, underpinned by shared values and a collective ambition to be leaders in the field of Shopper Marketing.”

On working with us, Jeremy Dahan commented: “Harbottle & Lewis were there for us at every turn of what was a highly strategic and key transaction for GLOBE Groupe; they were instrumental in every possible way and we were delighted to have them by our side.”

Our team was led by Charlie Leveque (partner) and Teresa Walker (senior associate), with support from Matthew Shannon (associate) and Anna Traherne (trainee). David Scott (partner) advised on corporate tax matters, and Mark Primrose (senior associate) and Sarah Verrecchia (managing associate) advised on employment matters.

We are proud to have sponsored the latest episode of the Law and Disorder podcast. This episode discusses the illegal treatment of homosexuality and includes an interview with Sir Chris Bryant, MP for Rhondda and Ogmore, who discusses his book, James and John: A True Story of Prejudice and Murder. This tells the story of what it meant to be gay in early 19th-century Britain, through the lens of a landmark trial. The book takes a deep dive into the archives to examine how two gay men, James Pratt and John Smith, came to be hanged after being convicted of homosexuality despite many of their contemporaries being given a reprieve.

The themes explored in this episode resonate with the history of our firm. We were founded in 1955 by Laurence Harbottle and Brian Lewis. Laurence was a trailblazing lawyer who did not seek to hide his sexuality while working in a conservative profession at a time when homosexuality was criminalised in the UK. Harbottle & Lewis was created and cultivated in Laurence’s image and in many respects we strive to remain true to that distinctive identity today.

As a firm today, we are committed to ensuring that our employees are diverse and reflect both the society around us and the clients we serve. We also recognise that the degree to which people feel included and respected will directly correlate with our success. We have an active DE&I Committee and several network groups which support the Committee and connect people across the firm. Our LGBTQ+ & Allies Network is made up of members of the LGBTQ+ community and active allies. It comes together to enable our people to share experiences and support and encourage one another, with the aim of representing the interests of LGBTQ+ staff within the business as well as raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues to the wider firm.

Matthew Hatton, co-head of our LGBTQ+ & Allies Network said:

“It’s been a great opportunity to sponsor a podcast that resonates so closely with Harbottle’s rich LGBTQ+ history. The podcast and Sir Chris’ book will be both fascinating and chilling for many of us. Whilst the state-sanctioned ill treatment of members of the LGBTQ+ community has thankfully been banished to the history books here in the UK, this is not the case in certain parts of the world which is another reason why it is so important that we continue to raise awareness of the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the past and today.”

Law and Disorder is a weekly podcast which looks at the biggest issues in the news through the prism of the law, hosted by recently retired High Court judge Sir Nicholas Mostyn, barrister and human rights campaigner Baroness Helena Kennedy, and Charlie Falconer, a Labour peer and former Lord Chancellor. You can listen to the podcast on Acast or via the major streaming platforms.

Harbottle & Lewis has advised the shareholders of Wushu Studios, the leading game development studio founded by Alan McDermott, on the sale of Wushu to Keywords Studios, an international provider of creative and technology-enabled solutions to the global video games and entertainment industries. Founded in 2017, Wushu provides a range of services to high profile publishers and developers to develop a range of high quality games.

Commenting on the deal, Alan McDermott said: “This is an exciting new chapter for Wushu. Joining Keywords allows us to maintain our creative independence while gaining access to a wealth of resources and expertise. It allows us to further enhance the services we offer our long-term clients with an extensive resource network and broad skillsets. Keywords shares our ambitions for continued growth, and their investment in Wushu will help us continue to remain faithful to our people-first approach to development. We look forward to collaborating with the broader Keywords network and taking on ever more ambitious projects in the future.”

Alan McDermott and the management team will remain with the business post-sale as they look to continue Wushu’s growth.

On working with us, Alan McDermott commented: “Harbottle’s team was exceptional throughout, guiding us with expertise and ensuring every step of the process was smooth. Their unwavering support and dedication made us feel like we were always their top priority.”

Our team was led by Tom Macleod (partner), Charlie Leveque (partner) and Katerina Capras (senior associate), with support from Elizabeth Compton (associate) and Anna Traherne (trainee). David Scott (partner) advised on corporate tax matters and Sarah Verrecchia (managing associate) advised on employment matters.