Alan Baker

Partner

Alan advises on all aspects of data protection law, commercial contracts and the use of information and intellectual property assets, as well as commercial regulatory issues. He helps clients to balance the sometimes competing objectives of minimising compliance risks and maximising commercial rewards.

Alan is a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property & Commercial team, where he advises clients on a wide range of commercial matters. His specialisms include data protection and direct marketing, intellectual property and brand protection, commercial contract drafting and review, and other commercial regulatory issues.

Alan has close relationships with clients in the banking and financial services sector and data-rich businesses including media, technology and sports organisations. He combines a deep understanding of law and regulatory guidance with a sound appreciation of clients’ organisational structures, the nature of their work, and their ultimate objectives in taking legal advice.

Clients and colleagues consider Alan a sound authority on data protection matters and turn to him for routine problem solving and compliance advice, as well as large-scale personal data audit projects. As an experienced contract lawyer with a keen eye for detail, he drafts accurate and legally robust agreements and other documents for all manner of commercial and compliance purposes.

Alan is an experienced and popular speaker on data protection, commercial contract and brand protection issues. His presentations are well known for distilling complex legal rules into digestible, commercially realistic, action points.

Clients value Alan for his commitment to solving their problems, his calm manner and his sense of humour and perspective.

Expertise

Financial Institutions

Alan acts for many of the UK’s leading commercial and private banks and financial services firms, including asset managers, investment funds, and other financial institutions. He assists them with data protection and direct marketing compliance as well as IT outsourcing arrangements and procurement of software and services. He also advises them on brand protection matters, including trade mark portfolio management.

Media & Publishing

Alan advises these data-rich businesses on all aspects of information law, e-commerce and the exploitation of their data and intellectual property assets. He advises on copyright, trade marks and brand protection in both non-contentious (establishing, filing and managing IP rights) and contentious (bringing and defending copyright, trademark and passing-off claims) contexts. Alan also drafts and negotiates all manner of commercial contracts, with particular expertise in software and other technology agreements.

Not-for-Profit

The firm’s wide variety of charities and institutions, including schools and higher education institutions, consult Alan for data protection advice, contract drafting, negotiation and review, and intellectual property management and protection. These clients particularly appreciate Alan’s sense of perspective and ability to prioritise in order to address the most significant legal risks without being distracted by minor ones.