UK Government Legal Services Panel

---

London, 1 July, 2007 -Morrison & Foerster MNP has been selected by the Office of Government Commerce, ("OGC") as one of 8 firms to be on the UK government's "Catalist" panel of firms for advice on IT, telecommunications and e-commerce projects ("Lot 1").  The Catalist Framework has been created by OGCbuying.solutions to replace "L-CAT", a series of framework agreements for the provision of legal services to government.  

The appointments, effective from the beginning of July 2007, remain in effect for the next 4 years.  The Treasury Solicitor has stressed the importance of Catalist compliance and all UK government departments are being guided to instruct Catalist panel firms when choosing legal advisors.  

Lawyers in Morrison & Foerster's Technology Transactions Group advise on a broad range of technology-intensive transactions, including some of the most complex outsourcing projects in the public sector; licensing and technology transfers; data protection; the development and use of solutions relating to convergent technologies and the internet; procurement, development and integration of technology systems and services; IT and telecommunications equipment procurement; and software licenses – for both traditional and open source forms of software.  The firm also has particular expertise in some of the most sensitive and high profile aspects of technology such as biometrics and RFID devices, and in aspects of privacy and data security.

The firm’s Technology and Outsourcing group is recognised as a leader in IT, IP and outsourcing projects for the public sector. Group head Alistair Maughan is described as "one of the perennial leading names in the area" by Chambers UK Guide.  Mr. Maughan will manage the Catalist relationship.