LAWYER PROFILE

Jim Ford

UK 2026

A&O Shearman

Ranked in 3 practice areas

Life Sciences: Transactional

UK-wide

16 years ranked

Intellectual Property

London (Firms)

11 years ranked

Information Technology & Outsourcing

London (Firms)

4 years ranked

About

Provided by A&O Shearman

Practice Areas

Jim is Global Co-Head of IP, Tech Transactions, Licensing & Data Privacy and Life Sciences Sector Lead.

He and has a broad commercial practice, focused on IP-rich sectors including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, IT, sports and consumer & retail.

Jim specialises in non-contentious intellectual property and information technology law. For more than 25 years, he has brought strategic and commercial IP and IT advice to a wide range of major international clients on M&A, corporate and finance transactions, including advising on joint ventures and long-term collaborations.

Jim has extensive experience advising on all types of arrangements for the exploitation of IP, including licensing, sponsorship and taking security over IP and is widely recognised as one of Europe's leading transactional IP lawyers.

Jim is Co-head of our global Life Sciences industry group and is global co-chair of LGBTQ+ Network.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Life Sciences: Transactional - UK-wide

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Jim Ford is a highly respected contracts and rights assignment specialist with a focus on science and technology-based companies. He works for a range of clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors on complex licensing transactions and IP-driven corporate deals.

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Intellectual Property - London (Firms)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Jim Ford has a wide and varied practice counselling clients on the intellectual property aspects of large-scale commercial and corporate transactions. He has experience assisting clients with licensing issues, collaboration agreements and de-branding.

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Information Technology & Outsourcing - London (Firms)

Band 5

Individual Editorial

Jim Ford is highly regarded in the market as a consummate IP and technology licensing lawyer. He is recommended for commercial technology deals of all kinds and also support with corporate transactions.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Jim is considered, thoughtful and easy to work with.
Life Sciences: TransactionalChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Jim provides in-depth expertise in complex pharmaceutical matters.
Life Sciences: TransactionalChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Jim Ford provides reasonable and appropriate legal insights, highlights risks that we have not yet covered and suggests negotiation strategies.
Life Sciences: TransactionalChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Jim ford is excellent on trade marks.
Intellectual PropertyChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Jim is good.
Information Technology & OutsourcingChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
I think he's probably the best commercial IP lawyer out there!
Information Technology & OutsourcingChambers Guide to the Legal Profession