Olswang announces partner promotions for firm-trained lawyers in London and Singapore

This article was produced by Olswang LLP, which joined with CMS on 1 May 2017.

International technology, media and telecoms (TMT) law firm Olswang today announces the promotion of two lawyers to the partnership: London intellectual property (IP) and franchising specialist Joel Vertes and Singapore-based TMT and sourcing specialist Matt Pollins.

Matt is a commercial lawyer with a particular focus on TMT and sourcing. He was appointed to the partnership in February. He advises clients from start-ups to global multinational corporations and governments on business and law in Asia. His practice spans commercial, transactional, regulatory and intellectual property advice across TMT, sourcing and supply chain, including e-commerce, cloud, data, cyber security, digital media, gaming and logistics. He is ranked by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, and is described by The Legal 500 as a "digital media expert" and as being "plugged into the media and technology space". He chairs CASBAA 2020, an industry body for pay TV companies studying the future of media consumption. He regularly appears in the press commenting on TMT trends and is active in Asia's start-up ecosystem, acting as mentor to a number of successful startups and lecturing at Singapore Management University. He blogs at www.connectedasia.com on TMT in Asia Matt advises local, regional and international organisations, including BHP Billiton, DBS Bank, Dentsu Aegis Network, Microsoft, StarHub, Unilever and Vodafone. Olswang CEO Paul Stevens commented: “I am delighted to welcome Joel and Matt into the partnership, and I’m particularly pleased that this year’s partner promotions are both lawyers who have trained, grown and excelled here at Olswang.

“Both Joel and Matt have become hugely valued, successful and experienced members of their teams. Joel has become a leader in our industry-recognised IP practice, having established the firm’s franchising offering, leveraging his IP expertise to help brands build their businesses abroad. Matt has played an integral role in developing the firm’s TMT and sourcing practice in the Asia-Pacific region. Joel will no doubt thrive here in London, and Matt is poised to do great things in Singapore. I wish them both well as they take this next step in developing their careers”.

Joel, whose partnership is effective 1 May, will focus his London-based practice on further expanding the firm’s international franchising practice in the retail and leisure sectors and will continue his contentious and non-contentious IP work for Olswang’s tech, media and sports clients. With 13 years’ experience of advising on all aspects of IP, Joel now heads Olswang’s franchising and licensing team, acting for clients on a complex array of international transactions, such as overseas brand launches and licensing arrangements. He has acted for major high-street and luxury fashion brands, restaurant groups, hotels and sports brands, helping their brands expand in territories such as China and the Middle East. He is also an experienced IP litigator, having led major trade mark and copyright proceedings at every level of the Courts. He has run dozens of anti-piracy and anti-counterfeiting cases for brands such as Microsoft and represented ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 in long-running anti-piracy litigation against TVCatchup. He is hailed by The Legal 500 as an "'Excellent' IP specialist", and has been listed as a Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for the last three years running.

Established 35 years ago, Olswang has built an international, full-service law firm with unparalleled technology, media and telecommunications expertise and a reputation for excellence in a range of other sectors, from real estate to retail and life sciences to leisure.