Some specifics
A typical day would see me advising an advertising agency on the legal and regulatory risks involved in a new comparative advertising campaign and how to minimise them, preparing for a court application to stop unauthorised use of a brand owner’s logo, then discussing how best to deal with a defamation complaint that has just come in to a magazine publisher client.
Media relations and public speaking
I am author of the textbook ‘Advertising Law and Regulation’ (Butterworths) and wrote a chapter on financial advertising in the IPA’s textbook ‘Ad Law: Breaking the mould without breaking the rules’. I regularly write and am quoted in articles for industry journals and the national press, covering topics such as transparency in media agency contracts, the regulation of television and radio advertising, comparative advertising and the protection of intellectual property. In the last few years I have lectured at Hawksmere's 'Advertising Law' seminars, IBC's 'IT Summer Law School' on defamation and other on-line content risks, C5’s ‘Advertising Conference’ and LexisNexis’ ‘Trademarks 2005’ seminar.
Recent examples of work
I am acting for KitchenAid in a trade mark infringement claim against Kenwood over the shape of kitchen stand mixers.
I acted for Hutchison 3G UK Limited, the company behind the ‘3’ mobile phone network, in defence of a high profile trade mark infringement and passing off claim against it brought by O2 over a comparative advertisement; I acted for Express Newspapers in a contempt action arising from the publication of photographs of Premiership footballers and am acting for an individual suing her local swimming club for libel; I acted for a large pizza company in defence of a claim brought by UEFA over a Euro 2004 promotion involving the offering of tickets for matches as prizes.
Clients
Hutchison 3G UK Nissan Motor GB Northern & Shell TBWA UK Group, one of the largest advertising and marketing groups in the country.
Qualifications and other experience
MA Cambridge, LLM London (Merit). I have higher courts' rights of audience.
I'm human too...
I live in Ealing with my wife Nicki and our two children. I cycle into work and do the occasional triathlon. I like to travel whenever possible and go to the theatre and cinema when the demands of looking after two young children allow! I am Chair of Westminster Citizens Advice Bureau.