Technology Solicitors
Key facts: Technology sector law
- We’ve worked with many technology clients, because we’re specialists in start-ups, high growth and venture-backed companies.
- Whatever sub-sector you’re in, our technology lawyers work across a range of areas including IT contracts and licences, intellectual property, raising private equity financing and data protection.
- We can help you protect your IP rights, manage your contractual relationships, incentivise staff, raise equity and deal with commercial disputes.
- Our data protection solicitors can advise you on a range of data protection law issues, from what is covered by data protection, preventing breaches and violations to who needs to register, and following the principles in the Data Protection Act 2018.
- Our dispute resolution, commercial and corporate teams can work together to resolve disputes and protect your contractual rights.
- Our offices are in Sheffield, Birmingham, Cambridge and London if you need a meeting, but we typically work remotely to keep our overheads low which enables us to offer our innovative pricing packages.
What our technology solicitors do
Technology now impacts all parts of business. Our technology solicitors are expert legal advisers to both specialist technology companies as well as their partners, customers and users.
We understand the commercial issues involved in tech depend on the services and products involved, which is why we endeavour to understand your niche and its implications. Whether you are a crowdfunded start-up or a large multi-national, our dedicated team of technology specialists are adept at acting for you wherever and whenever technology defines or intersects your organisation.
We provide cost-effective expert advice on a range of contractual, IP and data protection issues that cut across the sector, including:
- Data protection & privacy law
- Dispute resolution
- Distance selling regulations
- E-commerce directive
- IT contracts and agreements
- Software licencing (including SaaS agreements)
- Website development agreements
Legal advice for technology businesses
Our technology solicitors can advise on a broad range of software and technology issues varying from simple agreements to complex high-value deals. In particular, we can advise you on:
- Cryptocurrencies
- Blockchains and initial coin offerings (ICOs)
- Fintech
- Biotech
- Cybersecurity
- Software
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Cloud arrangements
- Outsourcing
- Videogames and apps
- Digital infrastructure and telecommunications
- Digital commerce
- The Internet of Things (IoT)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning
- Hardware
Some of our solicitors’ previous experience in the technology industry includes:
- Acting for an IT company in relation to a £100m outsourcing contract with a UK central government department, including advising on termination, pursuing a claim in the Technology and Construction court and achieving a settlement following a mediation.
- Services agreements for two major cryptocurrency clients that took account of the specifics of this industry and therefore needed an appreciation of how this market operated and the differences between it and other ordinary commercial business services. One of these was particularly significant to in the industry as they were offering a new service to the wider cryptocurrency market.
- In wearable tech, advising a new company looking to launch a new activity tracker to the market designed to be specific to the healthcare industry, from patent registrations and industry-specific regulations, to consumer trials and putting the legal documentation in place for the operation of the company.
- Acting for a national IT services company on its property portfolio.
Technology solicitors with sector expertise
At Harper James Solicitors, we have historically focused on the tech sector. We advise a number of innovative and growing technology companies, with specialisms in IT and e-commerce.
Our solicitors have all been recruited from top 100 law firms or international businesses, and come with a wealth of experience and expertise in all areas of the technology sector. Our technology team spans several legal practice areas, so whatever legal advice you need, we have a business solicitor with experience advising technology businesses and able to deal with your needs quickly and cost-effectively.
Rob Cobley is our commercial technology and intellectual property partner and leads on much of our technology work at Harper James Solicitors.
Having originally worked for an IBM spin-out software development house, Rob worked for Santander bank as an IP/brand management lawyer before qualifying as a solicitor. After four years in Birmingham at Cobbetts and SGH Martinaeu, Rob joins us from regional firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys, where he was head of the intellectual property and technology team. Rob has particular experience working with technology businesses, from crowdfunded start-ups to large multi-nationals, and has over the past 12 years worked in-house for several ISPs and a leading international tech company. As an IP lawyer, whilst predominantly non-contentious – advising clients on protecting and commercialising their exciting tech innovations – Rob has helped IP-rich businesses like Aardman Animations take action against online and offline infringements around the globe.
Our three transparent pricing packages are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:
City
Straightforward access to senior solicitors from £200 per hour.
An affordable solution for businesses needing one-off legal support. Receive 'City' partner-level expertise at a fraction of 'City' prices.
Enterprise
Have legal peace of mind for £189 per month with additional support from £99 per hour.
A monthly subscription legal support package specifically designed for start-ups and smaller businesses.
On-Demand
For businesses requiring 60+ hours of support a year, with prices equivalent to £99 per hour.
Fully account managed quarterly subscription service for businesses with more complex legal needs.
