Herbert Smith LLP is acknowledged as one of the world's leading legal practices. Established in London in 1882, we now have more than 1,200 lawyers across a network of offices in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Our main clients are leading global and national businesses, many headquartered outside the UK. We are unique amongst UK international law firms in having top-tier dispute resolution and corporate capabilities.
We are a truly international law firm. In addition to our own offices in twelve countries around the world, our international reach is enhanced by our Alliance with leading European law firms Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe and by associations with Al Ghazzawi Professional Association in Saudi Arabia and Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung in Indonesia. We also have established relationships with other leading law firms in jurisdictions where we do not have a presence.
We are acknowledged as leaders in a number of industry sectors, including the energy and natural resources; technology, media and telecoms and financial institutions. Alongside our outstanding reputation in dispute resolution and corporate work, we have leading practices in finance, real estate, competition and employment, pensions and incentives.
The breadth of our practice, our technical and commercial expertise and the consistently high quality of our service are all factors cited by our clients when they choose Herbert Smith to advise them on their most complex transactions and projects.
The London office
Located in the heart of the City of London, our Exchange Square offices give us easy access not only to our clients but also to many of the social and cultural attractions of one of the world's most exciting cities.
Practice area – Corporate: TMT
Main areas covered | outsourcing | transactional and advisory work in the TMT sector | major systems development and procurement | advising on new online business models | regulation of business on the internet
Key clients include | BAT | Canada Life | Logica | Transport for London | Telefonica O2 | ING | AOL | BSkyB
Sector expertise includes | TMT and IT | e-commerce industries | media | internet issues
Continuing technological change is the hallmark of the TMT sector. This change generates a stream of business and regulatory challenges, requiring lawyers to be industry aware, adaptable and creative. The broad spread of experience and strength in depth of the TMT group means the team is exceptionally well placed to understand and advise on issues raised by new technologies and new business models.
The service areas cover:
• Outsourcing
• Systems development and procurement
• Content and information
• Deals and transactions in the sector
• Networks and services
• Regulation (including data protection) and disputes
The team works closely with other parts of the firm to provide clients with a comprehensive sector focused service. In addition, the firm has a closely knit international TMT practice based around hubs in London, the Middle East and Hong Kong, with presences in other international offices. The role includes the possibility of future postings overseas.
The team further forges close client relationships which are consolidated through secondments to clients including Google, BSkyB, British American Tobacco, BAA and O2, to name a few.
Key to all of this is a focus on being 'trusted advisor' to relationship clients which enables the team to generate business momentum and establish themselves as advisor of choice in this niche market.
Key deals
• Transport for London on the restructuring of the outsourcing arrangements for its Oyster card electronic ticketing system, its innovative e-money project and its project with Barclays Bank to put Oyster on bank cards
• a major UK banking and insurance group in relation to a proposed £500 million ITO and network outsourcing and core banking platform replacement project
• Logica on a €120 million application management outsourcing contract with InBev across 17 jurisdictions
• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on a 12 year BPO contract worth £486 million, with UK-based life insurer Pearl Group
• Co-operative Financial Services on the successful conclusion of a £100 million IT outsourcing contract with Steria
• a mobile network operator in relation to a proposed £1 billion network outsourcing project
• ING Bank on a framework telecommunications outsourcing services agreement with Verizon
• Government Communications Headquarters on the IT and telecoms infrastructure for their new accommodation in Cheltenham, as part of a PFI project
• Abbey on its 10 year, £300 million software development and outsourcing contract with Capita for the administration of its consumer insurance policies
• National Air Traffic Control Services on a series of major IT projects worth in excess of £200 million including the procurement of SACTA, a flight data processing system
• Play.com on various e-commerce legal and regulatory issues
Accolades
"The firm encapsulates the three Ps - it's proactive, positive and pragmatic"
Chambers UK 2010
"Herbert Smith LLP has several partners with extensive outsourcing experience, and continued to act for TfL on its significant PFI contract."
Legal 500 2010
"Mark Turner heads a group that ‘is capable of translating complex problems into simple negotiable terms’."
Legal 500 2010
"Nick Pantlin recently led on a number of large IT outsourcing products."
Legal 500 2010
"Nick Elverston is especially impressive on telecoms matters, where his presence is increasingly valued by clients as IT and telecoms become ever more integrated."
Chambers UK 2010
The Role
• Working primarily on outsourcing and systems development transactions
• Expected to lead and negotiate transactions with limited supervision
• Responsible for drafting discrete pieces of legal advice for clients with minimal amendments
• Encouraged to adopt a client-facing role
• Supervise and develop Junior Associates and Trainees
Qualifications required
• 3-5 years PQE
• Excellent academics
• ICT outsourcing and systems development experience acquired at a City or specialist firm
• Ability and drive to work on bespoke, big-ticket and complicated IT and outsourcing transactions
Work based competencies
We would expect the successful candidate to have a minimum of 3 years experience in private practice but would consider those with less or more experience providing they meet the required competencies;
Technical
• Legal ability - detailed grasp of complex legal concepts, excellent drafting skills, ability to see issues from a commercial perspective and able to communicate complex legal advice to clients effectively
• Delivering excellent client service - excellent communications skills, driven to deliver to clients promptly, sets themselves challenging goals and resilient in achieving them
Client
• Finding and winning - able to build relationships with clients, identifies opportunities and networks effectively internally
• Practice/firm promotion - acts as an ambassador for the firm, writes technical articles for publication
• Developing and retaining - works to become a trusted advisor to the client, aware of client industry dynamics, works closely with the Business Development Team
People
• Leadership and management - acts as role model to others, provides coaching to those more junior than themselves
• Initiative and managing change - resilient in the face of multiple priorities, able to deliver difficult messages, takes ownership for resolving problems pro-actively
• Teamwork and communication - seeks out the views of others, assured and succinct in communication
• Impact and personal development - proactively requests feedback from others, able to deal with constructive criticism and takes ownership for self-development
Firm
• Financial performance - familiar with key drivers of firm performance
• Risk management and professional ethics - takes responsibility for personal and professional ethics, understanding of reputational risk and the regulatory framework, prepared to seek advice where appropriate
• Knowledge management - shares knowledge with others proactively, consults with senior technical experts where appropriate
• Firm contribution - high level of personal integrity, contributes to developing a diverse and innovative culture, prepared to go the extra mile
Behavioural competencies
• Ability to use initiative and be pro-active;
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Enthusiastic, positive and committed team member;
• Ability to cope with conflicting demands and meet deadlines;
• Attention to detail with a high level of accuracy;
• Communicates effectively at all levels, both verbally and written;
• Promotes a collegiate environment, good team morale and a spirit of co-operation;
• Team player.
