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Morrison Foerster Recognized in The Legal 500 UK 2027

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About Morrison Foerster

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Morrison Foerster has once again been named a leading law firm by The Legal 500 UK in its newly released 2027 edition. MoFo’s London office received 13 practice rankings and nine individual rankings across various practice areas. The Legal 500 UK ranks and recommends law firms and lawyers in the UK based on feedback from in‑house clients and The Legal 500’s independent research. MoFo’s growing recognition across TMT-related categories is particularly significant, reflecting the firm’s deep roots in the technology sector and its work with companies navigating some of the most consequential developments shaping their businesses, including AI, digital regulation, cybersecurity, and data. MoFo’s recognition in Artificial Intelligence especially underscores the firm’s strength in a strategically important area for the firm and its clients, building on its longstanding position at the forefront of the technology sector. The firm was again recognized across the following practice areas: <ul><li>Corporate and Commercial: M&A: Lower Mid-Market Deals, £100m–£750m </li><li>Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration </li><li>Employment: Employers </li><li>Finance: Debt Capital Markets </li><li>TMT (Technology, Media and Telecoms): Fintech: Regulatory </li><li>TMT (Technology, Media and Telecoms): Intellectual Property: Trademarks, Copyright and Design </li><li>TMT (Technology, Media and Telecoms): IT and Telecoms </li><li>The results highlight sustained momentum across four practice areas where the firm has gained improved rankings: </li><li>Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation: Premium </li><li>Risk Advisory: Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity </li><li>Risk Advisory: Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime (Advice to Corporates) </li><li>TMT (Technology, Media and Telecoms): Media: Digital Content & Social </li></ul>The firm also secured two brand new rankings: <ul><li>Industry Focus: TMT </li><li>TMT (technology, media and telecoms): Artificial intelligence </li></ul>Additionally, the following lawyers were highly ranked: <ul><li>Susana Cao Miranda – Leading Partner – Dispute resolution: Banking litigation: investment and retail </li><li>Annabel Gillham – Leading Partner – Risk advisory: Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity </li><li>William Holder – Leading Partner – Industry focus: TMT </li><li>Hayley Ichilcik – Leading Partner – Risk advisory: Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) </li><li>Mike Pierides – Leading Partner – TMT (technology, media and telecoms) </li><li>Ben Summerfield – Leading Partner – Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation: premium </li><li>Dan Alam – Leading Associate – Risk advisory: Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity </li><li>Mercedes Samavi – Leading Associate – Risk advisory: Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity; TMT (technology, media and telecoms) </li></ul>The Legal 500’s rankings highlight the breadth of MoFo’s London offering, spanning disputes, investigations, technology, privacy, employment, finance, and corporate transactions. Working alongside colleagues in the United States and Asia, the London group is able to draw upon cultural, jurisdictional, and market knowledge to deliver the best-tailored advice and client service with a global approach. To view the complete list of Morrison Foerster’s rankings in the 2027 edition of The Legal 500 UK, please visit the <a href="https://www.legal500.com/firms/50701-morrison-foerster/r-england/rankings" target="_blank">publication’s website</a>.

Morrison Foerster Recognized in The Legal 500 UK 2027

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Susana Cao Miranda’s practice is focussed on litigation, multi-party claims/group actions and contentious regulatory matters for clients in heavily regulated sectors.She has a broad range of experience in litigation before the English Courts and other jurisdictions including proceedings involving general commercial litigation, finance litigation, mass tort and parent company liability claims, investment fraud and claims relating to breaches of competition law.Her quality and work is recognised by ratings in the major directories. Susana has been ranked for several years as a Leading Individual for Banking Litigation in Chambers UK and The Legal 500 UK.Client’s value Susana’s strategic thinking combined with an outstanding grasp on the commercial and business drivers at play in high-stakes disputes. In this respect, Susana draws on the in-house experience she gained as a Managing Director and Senior Counsel post GFC at a global US-headquartered financial institution based in London responsible for litigation and contentious regulatory proceedings across EMEA.Susana is Spanish and frequently works on Spanish-language disputes with Spanish and Latin American clients.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Representing Telefonica SA and Telefonica Europe in the defence of competition law claims brought in the English High Court by the administrators of Phones4U against the UK mobile network operators and parent companies.</li><li>Representing Xstrata and its subsidiary in the defence of mass tort claims brought in the English High Court by multiple individuals claiming injury and unlawful detention at the hands of the Peruvian National Police, during the course of a violent protest at one of the defendant’s mines in Peru in 2012.</li><li>Representing global energy companies in the defence of regulatory enforcement proceedings commenced by Ofgem for alleged licence and/or REMIT infringements.</li><li>Representing Goldman Sachs International in the defence of claims for rescission of substantial derivative trades for undue influence and unconscionable bargain.</li></ul>

Susana Cao Miranda

Partner

Annabel Gillham is a member of our global Employment + Labor and Data, Cyber + Privacy groups. Described by clients as “excellent, very pragmatic, efficient and completely client-oriented”, she works across a variety of sectors, including technology, retail, and financial services, and frequently manages multi-jurisdictional advice for international clients. Her practice includes advice on:<ul><li>cross-border labor and employment matters</li><li>employee litigation</li><li>data privacy compliance management</li><li>data security breach management</li><li>internal and regulatory investigations</li></ul>Annabel regularly helps senior management and HR executives with the “people” aspects of takeovers, restructuring projects, business and share sales, and outsourcings. She also advises employers in relation to sensitive claims, such as unlawful discrimination, equal pay, and whistleblowing. Annabel also advises on team moves.She supports her clients on all aspects of General Data Protection Regulation compliance and regularly advises organizations facing ICO enforcement action. She has developed particular specialties in complex areas, such as the collection and use of data relating to criminal offenses and the application of data protection law to insolvency practitioners.As an experienced litigator with experience in helping clients defend group litigation, Annabel helps clients develop their strategy for responding to regulatory action and court claims relating to the use of employee and customer personal data. She regularly designs and presents employment and data protection law training and updates to senior managers and HR executives and is involved in preparing responses to UK government consultations.In addition, Annabel is qualified to practice in the British Virgin Islands, where she spent three years advising on cross border commercial litigation and insolvency matters, including high value board and shareholder disputes, freezing orders, and third-party disclosure orders.

Annabel Gillham

Will Holder is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s Corporate Group in London. He advises multinational corporations and asset managers on complex cross-border transactions, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, and strategic investments. Will has extensive experience across the technology, media, consumer, and sports sectors, where he regularly advises clients on high-value, strategically significant transactions. He is particularly recognized for his work in the technology, fintech and media space and for guiding clients through multi-jurisdictional deals. In addition to his transactional practice, Will regularly advises private equity clients on portfolio company matters, including bolt-on acquisitions, reorganizations, and exits. His work spans the full investment lifecycle, from investment and acquisition through to realization. Will is recognized as a Leading Individual for Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) by Legal 500 UK. He is praised by clients for being “highly commercial and solutions-driven, with a clear focus on getting deals done efficiently" and is known as “a trusted adviser on complex, cross-border transactions in the media and technology space”. Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Will was a partner in the corporate team of a leading international law firm in London. Earlier in his career, he spent time working in China, bringing valuable international perspective to his cross-border practice. <h4>Representative Experience </h4><ul><li>The investors, including Warburg Pincus, Accel, Salesforce and HSBC on the sale of Privitar to Informatica. </li><li>Western Union on a cross border financial services acquisition. </li><li>A BNPL provider on its entry into the United Kingdom by way of an acquisition. </li><li>A BNPL provider in relation to its equity financing rounds. </li><li>Thomson Reuters on its $500 million sale of Elite software business to TPG. </li><li>Tech Mahindra on its €310 million acquisition of Com Tec Co IT. </li><li>A global media company on a number of joint ventures and acquisitions. </li><li>A global technology company on the planned divestment of its European business. </li><li>A global fintech operator on a UK acquisition. </li><li>A global natural resources company on the carve out and sale of its European technology divisions. </li><li>A Chinese consortium on the acquisition of a European flow sensor company. </li><li>An Asia-based financial institution on a number of investments into the fintech sector. </li><li>Egmont on the sale of its UK children’s books business, Egmont Books UK, to HarperCollins. </li><li>Universal Music Group on its $1.9 billion acquisition of EMI’s recorded music business from Citigroup, one of the most significant deals in the history of the recorded music industry. </li><li>Universal Music Group on a number of divestments following the EMI acquisition, including its $765 million sale of Parlophone Records to Warner Music Group and the sale of Sanctuary Music to BMG Rights Management. </li><li>A Chinese based consortium of investors on the acquisition of West Bromwich Albion Football Club, the first English premier league club acquired by Chinese investors. </li><li>Endeavor Content on its strategic investment into Motive Pictures, a UK-based television production company. </li><li>Universal Music Group on its €1.63 billion acquisition of BMG Music Publishing from Bertelsmann, and the subsequent divestments of Zomba Music Publishing and Rondor Music. </li><li>Boparan Holdings on its £342 million contested takeover offer of Northern Foods plc. </li><li>A consortium of investors on the £360 million take-private of Chelsfield plc. </li><li>Chinese hotel company HK CTS Metropark Hotels Company on its £400 million acquisition of the Kew Green Hotels portfolio from Goldman Sachs and TPG. </li></ul>

Will Holder

Hayley Ichilcik is a trusted adviser to companies, financial institutions and senior executives navigating their most complex legal, regulatory and geopolitical challenges. Her practice focuses on matters involving significant legal, regulatory and reputational risk, often across multiple jurisdictions and involving parallel criminal, regulatory and civil proceedings. She works closely with clients to assess the broader implications of these matters and develop practical, coordinated strategies that take account of both legal risk and commercial priorities.Hayley has extensive experience conducting internal investigations and representing clients in enforcement proceedings. She regularly advises on matters involving multiple authorities and overlapping legal and regulatory regimes. Her practice includes matters involving fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering, tax evasion and other forms of corporate misconduct, as well as related governance and compliance issues.A significant focus of Hayley’s practice is advising clients on sanctions, export controls and national security-related risk. She helps multinational businesses navigate rapidly evolving UK and international sanctions and trade restrictions. Her work ranges from strategic advice on transactions, and market entry and exit, to regulatory compliance, licensing, engagement with UK government authorities and advice on enforcement matters.As Head of Morrison Foerster’s European Compliance Practice, Hayley works with boards, legal and compliance teams to identify and manage legal and regulatory risk. She advises on the design and effectiveness of compliance programmes, risk assessments and third-party diligence.Hayley was formerly an Investigative Lawyer at the Serious Fraud Office in the UK. Hayley is recognised by Chambers UK for Financial Crime: Corporates and by Legal 500 UK for Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime. Clients have praised her “great judgement on how to cut through everything” and described her as “…massively experienced with an enormous breadth of knowledge when dealing with the most complex cross-border regulatory investigations. She combines an excellent intellect with really practical application. Top quality.”

Hayley Ichilcik

Mike Pierides advises on strategic technology and commercial transactions across a number of different industries. Mike is recognized by Chambers and Legal 500 as an authority on technology and outsourcing transactions. His areas of focus include global transactions involving the procurement of AI systems and AI-related infrastructure such as data centre and neocloud arrangements, and technology arrangements such as cloud and as-a-service arrangements. He also has a particular focus on the intersection of technology and financial services. He advises customers and suppliers in the technology, financial services, life sciences and pharma, and travel and aviation industries, amongst others. One of the most experienced outsourcing lawyers globally, with two decades advising on the most complex multi-jurisdictional arrangements. His commercial focus includes distribution agreements, IP licensing arrangements, and strategic restructurings following divestments, carve-outs or acquisitions. Mike’s practice also includes data privacy and cybersecurity law, and he supports clients across a number of data privacy needs, including transactional support and privacy and security advisory support and assessments. Clients and sources told Chambers that “Mike is detailed, has incredible depth of knowledge and ensures he understands your business and the unique aspects of the engagement” and “He is an expert at successfully managing complex stakeholder environments on large-scale matters. He speaks truth to clients, setting realistic expectations whilst delivering results.” Mike was also nominated as an Acritas Star Lawyer, with a client noting that he is “an expert in the industry and in the specific subject matter that we’ve asked advice on.” <h4>Representative Experience </h4><ul><li>Represented numerous clients, including in the financial services and travel industries, on the procurement and deployment of complex AI solutions, including agentic AI technology </li><li>Represented a neocloud provider on multiple, multi-billion dollar GPU procurement and deployment arrangements, in the US and Europe </li><li>Represented a global bank on multiple, financial services regulated platform and outsourcing arrangements </li><li>Represented numerous clients on complex outsourcing arrangements, across all manner of ITO and BPO services </li><li>Represented multiple clients on data sharing and licensing arrangements, and data commercialization initiatives </li><li>Represented a global airline on the procurement of its new passenger service systems, undertaken pursuant to a competitive bid process, in parallel with renegotiating its global distribution arrangements </li><li>Negotiating data handling and transfer provisions and agreements for numerous clients (both customer and supplier entities) across industries and geographies</li></ul>

Mike Pierides

Ben Summerfield is Managing Partner and Litigation Head for our London office.Ben advises clients on complex, high-value, cross-border commercial disputes. He represents clients in major litigation before the English courts and regularly manages the strategic coordination of litigation in other jurisdictions. Ben also regularly acts as lead counsel in international arbitrations.“[A] high-class litigator,” an “excellent tactician and strategist,” and “a powerhouse of a lawyer,” “Ben Summerfield is a genuine superstar – the complete package of legal knowledge, experience and judgment. You would always want him on your side in a difficult case.” He “really knows the case and gets to know the client to identify their desired outcome and achieve it.” "Ben is an extraordinarily hard-working litigator.”Ben has been ranked as a Leading Individual for Commercial Litigation for six consecutive years in the Legal 500 UK. He “controls matters at a strategic level with good commercial judgement and creative thinking, while always finding time to be on top of the detail of the legal and factual issues. An all-round star performer who inspires trust and confidence in clients and barristers alike.”Ben is considered to be “an extremely knowledgeable, dynamic litigator” and “he does not miss a trick. He has a lot of insight and is someone you really want as part of a team.”In addition, clients say that “Ben is an exceptional partner [who is] extremely bright and quick thinking with good judgement. While he has a good instinct, he backs that up with detailed research and careful thought. He is a good strategist and tirelessly promotes the interests of his clients going above and beyond in order to deliver a premium service.” Ben has also been described in the Legal 500 and Chambers directories as “very switched-on,” “bright, responsive and keen to get into the detail,” and “manages his team well, so as to bring out the best in everyone and ensure that the task at hand is completed efficiently. He is very determined in finding solutions and is a very versatile and strategic thinker. He is also good fun to work with, which is essential in difficult and intensive situations.".Before joining Morrison Foerster, Ben was a partner and co-chair of the commercial disputes group of another global law firm.Ben is qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales.

Ben Summerfield

Managing Partner, London

Dan Alam advises multinational companies on complex data, cyber, privacy, and AI matters, with a particular focus on engagements before data protection authorities and related regulators. His practice also includes supporting companies with product counseling, security incidents, international data transfers, privacy litigation, M&A, and the development of global compliance programs.Dan regularly advises on multijurisdictional matters across a broad range of sectors, including technology, semiconductors, interactive media, insurance, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, retail, and logistics.A core part of Dan’s practice is advising on regulatory engagement and contentious matters, including strategic engagement with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and EU data protection regulators, responses to enquiries and investigations, and the handling of sensitive issues involving automated decision-making, direct marketing, data subject rights, children’s data, and security incidents.He also defends companies against privacy and data protection compensation claims and provides data protection and AI support on public and private transactions, with particular experience on deals involving technology, semiconductor, and AI companies.Dan also has notable experience in workplace and HR privacy matters, including employee monitoring, whistleblowing frameworks, and the collection and use of diversity, equity, and inclusion data. He has helped multinational organizations design and implement global whistleblowing systems and navigate legal requirements in sensitive people-data contexts.Examples of Dan’s other experience include:<ul><li>advising technology companies on the launch of new products, including AI systems;</li><li>guiding companies through large-scale cybersecurity incidents, including ransom and extortion events;</li><li>advising on compliance with cross-border data transfer and data localization restrictions;</li><li>supporting multinational organizations on audits and maturity assessments of their data protection compliance programs;</li><li>negotiating strategic data-processing and data-sharing arrangements; and</li><li>supporting purchasers, sellers, and investors on data, cyber, and AI issues arising in public and private M&A transactions, including, for example, advising <a href="/resources/news/240507-mofo-advises-softbank" target="_self">SoftBank on its over $1bn investment into autonomous driving company Wayve</a>, <a href="/resources/news/250527-mofo-advisor-salesforce-informatica" target="_self">Salesforce on its $8bn acquisition of Informatica</a>, and <a href="/resources/news/251119-palo-alto-networks-acquisition-chronosphere" target="_self">Palo Alto Networks on its $3.35bn acquisition of Chronosphere</a>.</li></ul>Before joining MoFo, Dan was a Legal Intern at the Irish Data Protection Commission.Dan is also active in MoFo’s pro bono practice, advising charities and NGOs on matters including social security and statelessness. He was part of the collaboration between Asylum Aid and various law firms that received the Law Society of England and Wales’ “Excellence in Pro Bono” Award in 2021 for work addressing statelessness in the United Kingdom. He also serves as chair of MoFo Together, MoFo London’s ethnic minority <a href="/culture/diversity/affinity-groups" target="_self">affinity group</a>.Dan is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales.

Dan Alam

Associate

Mercedes Samavi regularly advises clients on a broad spectrum of commercial and technology matters, including complex tech licensing and digital regulatory compliance projects, with a particular emphasis on online safety, outsourcing arrangements, and corporate transactions.As part of her privacy and cybersecurity work, Mercedes has extensive experience helping clients develop global and pan-European programs and strategies to protect their data, respond to regulatory requests and investigations, and implement robust data and operational resilience contractual frameworks. In the words of her clients, “Mercedes Samavi is incredibly responsive and a dream to work with. Nothing is ever too much trouble, she will always go the extra mile to ensure the client’s needs are met, and her legal expertise is exceptional and her advice always delivered in a practical, realistic way for the client.” (The Legal 500 UK).In addition, Mercedes is involved with MoFo’s extensive pro bono practice and her pro bono work has been recognized by Morrison Foerster, which awarded her the 2019 Kathi Pugh Award for Pro Bono Service.She has also spent six months in each of MoFo’s Singapore and D.C. offices, as well as providing support on multiple client secondments across a wide variety of sectors.Mercedes is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales. She is fluent in Farsi.

Mercedes Samavi

Of Counsel

United Kingdom