Information Technology & Gaming
Technology is constantly changing the way in which businesses and organisations operate, and even the way in which business is being carried out. The pace at which these changes are taking place has resulted in new and increased complexities that require careful risk management and expert guidance from lawyers.
Teacher Stern’s commercial lawyers are experts in the complexities of technology, outsourcing and procurement. When combined with our in-depth knowledge of the technology and gaming sector, and our creative approach to problem solving, that expertise enables us to deliver proactive and user-friendly solutions to our clients.
Our clients include both IT suppliers and users and range from start-ups to major multinational, European, FTSE 100 and AIM listed companies. They are involved in various technology related arenas including digital media, telecommunications, satellite channels and financial IT services to name but a few.
We regularly advise clients on matters ranging from:
- technology procurement, software development and licensing;
- technology ownership structures, including the impact of the use of open source software;
- internet and e-commerce;
- gaming (including online gaming);outsourcing projects (IT, HR or business process);
- technology platforms and white label products;
- back-end technology services;
- escrow arrangements for source code;
- systems integration;
- financial software systems; and
- data protection and data privacy – particularly cross-border issues arising in relation to the collection of data via online and mobile business channels.
As well as advising on commercial issues relating to information technology, our commercial team works closely with other teams in the firm to advise on matters ranging from buying and selling companies within the IT and eGaming sectors, joint ventures, financing, investment and employment.
Representative Information Technology & Gaming Work
Examples of our team’s information technology & gaming work include:
- Advised on structuring all commercial agreements for eGaming companies with its operators and content providers (RGS platforms).
- Advised a European bank in connection with a number of IT contracts it was entering into with third parties.
- Advised a financial software provider on the development and licensing of its payment technology software into banks, as well as in respect of software maintenance contracts relating to that technology.
- Advised a telecommunications provider in connection with numerous commercial negotiations with telecom wholesalers, end users and its channel.
- Advised numerous financial data companies on their licencing terms and arrangements with end users.
- Advised a major outsourcing services provider in relation to the provision of outsourced software, IT services and data management services with a number of international advertising trade bodies.
- Advised numerous software vendors in relation to master licence agreements, development agreements, reserve time arrangements, service level agreements and service credit provisions (for breach), support and maintenance terms, a purchase order procurement structure and a global affiliates programme.
- Advised a global hosting centre and co-location space provider in negotiating its commercial contracts.
Key contacts:
Biography
Kelly is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer with broad transactional expertise in a wide range of sectors. Kelly provides advice on all aspects of private company mergers, acquisitions, investments and disposals acting for both buyers and sellers and has experience in working in, amongst others, the transport, property investment and management, media and advertising, manufacturing and health care sectors.
Kelly also handles certain financing arrangements, including debt/equity conversions, convertible loan note and invoice discount financing and advises on a broad spectrum of commercial contracts, including complex manufacturing and distribution agreements, white label licensing agreements, shareholders’ agreements and limited liability partnership arrangements.
Another area of Kelly’s expertise is employee benefits, in particular share schemes (both HMRC approved and unapproved schemes) where she has spent much time developing this area of practice around the concept of using an analytical approach to create effective business solutions for clients that genuinely contribute to improved performance across their business. Together with the rest of the employment team, Kelly works with our clients to fund cost reductions, ways to improve motivation and performance and attain staff retention targets through arrangements such as share option schemes, flexible working and salary sacrifice schemes.
Kelly is listed as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 2021 rankings and a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 2024 rankings.
Year qualified
Solicitor, 2003
Representative Experience
Kelly has:
- acted as one of the lead advisors on the acquisition by Metroline Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of ComfortDelGro Corporation) of 31 bus routes operated from five separate bus depots in West London from First Group plc for a consideration of £57.5 million
- advised on a complex joint venture arrangement between two significant healthcare providers collaborating to provide comprehensive specialist treatments to patients at single geographical locations
- acted as the lead corporate advisor on a complex restructuring and refinancing of an extensive London based property holding and management business for a family owned and managed enterprise
- acted for the trustees of a significant London based property portfolio on its restructuring from a trust arrangement into a limited liability partnership structure
- advised on the sale of a corporate entity operating a central London based hotel
- acted on the investment into a successful South Kensington based patisserie venture
Kelly also leads our Corporate Social Responsibility team which is comprised of people from all aspects of the firm creating an enthusiastic and imaginative team of people that are passionate about making a difference in the community. Kelly and the CSR team have been involved in baking cakes, rowing dragon boats and painting walls to name just a few of the activities that the firm has been involved with recently.
