The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) has confirmed that Lewis Silkin will provide interim cover for legal enquiries from 09:30 on Thursday 11th February following the departure of three of its legal team to private practice. Employment law queries will continue to be handled by Juliet Bawtree, Senior Legal Manager (Employment) on 020 7201 8202 or
Juliet@ipa.co.uk Lewis Silkin will provide on-site interim cover for the free member legal service on IP, Codes, and contracts until the IPA recruits a new legal team of qualified solicitors conversant with the industry. Lewis Silkin has some of the most extensive advertising and media experience of any law firm in the UK, and has also supported the IPA in developing the TUPE Protocol and its LegRegs training programme; contributing to the AdLaw books; and most recently setting up the online IPA Contract Bank
http://Contractbank.ipa.co.uk The two on-site lawyers will be Helen Bowyer and Geraint Lloyd-Taylor who are the frontline resource for the ten-strong Lewis Silkin interim team supervised by Brinsley Dresden, Partner, Media Brands and Technology. Members can send emails to
LegalDirector@ipa.co.uk or phone 020 7201 8243. Enquiries will be responded to by the most appropriate solicitors within Lewis Silkin.
Helen Bowyer has a particular focus on the advertising and media and entertainment sectors and her work includes advertising clearance, promotions, commercial contracts, licensing, content and sponsorship work.
Geraint Lloyd-Taylor specialises in a broad range of advertising, media and sponsorship matters, including drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and giving regulatory advice. A particular niche of his is advising on promotions, gambling and lotteries.
Hamish Pringle, IPA Director General, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Lewis Silkin to this important interim contract, which builds on the long-term relationship the IPA has enjoyed with this leading firm.”
Alex Hunter, IPA Finance Director said: “We are conscious of the vital need for our members to continue to receive the most practical legal advice from the IPA. We believe this interim arrangement will achieve just that.”
Brinsley Dresden, Partner, Lewis Silkin said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to assist the IPA and its members by ensuring that they continue to enjoy legal support through their IPA membership. We are well known throughout the advertising industry and agencies can be confident that they will receive the practical, commercial and timely advice that they need.”