Media, technology and IP law firm Wiggin LLP today announced the promotion of Chris Elliott (Betting & Gaming), Joanne Gibbs (Intellectual Property), James Hope (Property), Claire Livingstone (Digital Commerce), and James Peel (Film & TV) to the partnership, effective from 1st April. The firm also announced the promotions of Sarah Drake (Digital Commerce) to Legal Director and Benjamin Simon (Corporate) to Senior Associate.
Charles Moore, Senior Partner at Wiggin said: “We’ve never had so many internal partner promotions in one year and it’s fantastic to see so many of our long term lawyers fulfilling their long held ambition to become Wiggin partners. Chris, Jo, Claire, James and James have each made enormous contributions to the firm over the last few years and are well placed to build on their successes as Wiggin partners. I’m delighted to welcome them to the partnership.”
Chris Elliott joined our Betting & Gaming practice in 2016 and specialises in providing regulatory and commercial advice to various stakeholders in the gambling industry. Chris is ranked in Chambers (UK and Global) and Legal 500 as a leading lawyer in the sector and is recognised in client testimonials as “fantastic and very thorough” and “an expert in this field”.
Joanne Gibbs joined the firm following the acquisition of boutique IP practice Redd in 2017. A specialist in resolving trade mark, passing off, copyright and design right disputes, Jo was recently described by Legal 500 as “highly recommended.”
James Hope joined the firm in 2012 and heads our property group. He helps a broad range of clients with their commercial real estate requirements and is a film and television studio acquisition and leasing specialist. James has been described by clients as “super-efficient and down to earth” while praising his service as “impeccable from start to finish.”
Claire Livingstone joined Wiggin as a trainee in 2009 and is a specialist in consumer law compliance, focusing on businesses active in the online and digital space. She also provides commercial advice to clients across the media, technology and gambling sectors. Claire has been named as a key lawyer by Legal 500, and has been described by clients as having “exceptionally strong legal, commercial and client building skills”.
James Peel joined the firm in 2016 and advises clients across the television sector on development, production, finance and distribution. He has broad industry experience having previously worked for ITV Studios, NBCUniversal and Working Title Television and was recently recommended by Legal 500 who described him as having “excellent knowledge of legal positions, attention to detail and responsiveness.”
The promotions follow a string of recent lateral hires including Alex Wade (media litigation), Marcus Bagnall (technology and telecoms), Victoria Harris-Honrado (telecoms), Calum Smyth (IP – London) and Carina Gommers (IP-Brussels). In 2020, the firm acquired specialist digital entertainment practice, Purewal & Partners and added a new telecoms practice led by Gordon Moir.