Morrison Foerster is an international law firm with lawyers practicing throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. Click to discover more.

mofo_share_image.jpg

Morrison Foerster

common-default.jpeg

Terms / Notices

Cookies

Privacy Policy

Reporting Hotline

Attorney Advertising

Alumni

  Linkedin

MoFo LinkedIN

  Facebook

MoFo Facebook

YouTube

MoFo Youtube

Morrison Foerster - Footer

Morrison Foerster’s London Technology Transactions Team Named Finalist at British Legal Awards 2026

You have not solved the recaptcha challenge yet or session expired, try again.

Email Disclaimer

Disclaimer

Unsolicited e-mails and information sent to Morrison Foerster will not be considered confidential, may be disclosed to others pursuant to our <a href="https://www.mofo.com/about/privacy-policy.html">Privacy Policy</a>, may not receive a response, and do not create an attorney-client relationship with Morrison Foerster. If you are not already a client of Morrison Foerster, do not include any confidential information in this message. Also, please note that our attorneys do not seek to practice law in any jurisdiction in which they are not properly authorized to do so.

Feedback

mofo-logo-2022.svg

People

Capabilities

Resources

About

Community

Offices

Careers

Stay Connected

<h3>Sorry, we weren’t able to find the terms you entered.</h3>Please try a different term or keyword.

People

Capabilities

Resources

Not Found Cards

About Morrison Foerster

people-default-header-desktop.jpg

people-default-header-mobile.jpg

Default Meta Data

Morrison Foerster’s (MoFo) London Technology Transactions team is a finalist for Tech & Telecoms Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2026.MoFo’s London-based Technology Transactions team has grown markedly in the last 12 months, doubling in size and welcoming two new partners, Mike Pierides and Oliver Bell, <a href="/resources/news/260701-mike-pierides-will-holder-oliver-bell" target="_self">in May 2026</a>. Together with the existing strength of the team and further associate arrivals, MoFo now boasts impressive depth when advising global clients on technology-focused mandates.The team’s recognition reflects our work advising a cloud-based software provider that serves financial and professional services firms, including the vast majority of law firms operating in the legal sector. Over more than five years, the relationship grew from negotiating customer contracts to a more strategic role advising on complex partner agreements that bring AI-enabled software and data into often highly regulated customer and professional environments. Led by partner Mike Pierides, the team managed more than 200 partner workstreams, using templates, AI-assisted review, and a risk-based approach to help move quickly while keeping its contractual framework resilient.Winners will be announced at a November 25 award ceremony in London. View the full shortlist in <a href="https://www.event.law.com/legalweek-british-legal-awards/2026-shortlist" target="_blank">2026 Shortlist: The British Legal Awards</a>.

Sign Up

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

Partner

Oliver Bell’s practice focuses on strategic technology transactions for both customers and suppliers across a number of industries, including technology, data centers, financial services, aviation, leisure, retail, automotive, and the public sector. Oliver advises multinational clients on all aspects of the sourcing lifecycle, from initial scoping of requirements to negotiation, completion, and day-to-day contract management. He advises clients on the disaggregation and exit of complex agreements, and counsels on artificial intelligence terms and conditions and compliance with artificial intelligence laws and regulations. Oliver also advises on large scale data center related transactions, including GPUaaS arrangements, colocation agreements, and management agreements, in particular, where there are associated finance arrangements for such transactions. As part of his technology transactions work, Oliver advises clients on data privacy and cyber security matters, including transactional data privacy and cyber security compliance, and wider compliance requirements, such as data privacy notices and privacy and security advisory support. In addition to technology transactions, Oliver advises on and negotiates a wide range of commercial arrangements, including business process outsourcing agreements, supply of goods and services agreements, warehousing and distribution agreements, agency agreements, wholesale agreements, concession agreements, intellectual property licenses, and sponsorship arrangements. Oliver has firsthand experience of the requirements on in-house counsel, having spent time on secondment at a global bank, a UK retailer, and a UK public authority. <h4>Representative Matters </h4>Sourcing <ul><li>Advising on business process sourcing arrangements, including fleet management services, facilities management services, security services, and catering services </li><li>Advising on IT sourcing arrangements, including COTS integrated software solutions, multivendor information and communications technology (ICT) models, automation solutions, and offshore service provision </li><li>Advising on exits from sole-provider ICT contracts and transitions to multivendor ICT models </li></ul>Aviation <ul><li>Represented a UK airline on the procurement of a passenger service system (PSS) </li><li>Advised on the procurement of critical IT services for a new digital native international airline </li><li>Advised an airline software supplier on its global artificial intelligence terms and conditions. </li></ul>Financial Services <ul><li>Represented a UK pension administration provider on outsourced services agreements for bulk purchase annuities and individual annuities </li><li>Represented a global financial services business on multiple arrangements for the provision of front, middle, and back-office services to asset management firms </li><li>Advising numerous SaaS businesses on the sale of their solutions to UK and EU financial services business, including advising on compliance with financial services regulations </li><li>Representing a global cash management business on a services agreement in the Middle East, and the outsourcing of its global IT, finance and accounting, HR, and souring a procurement functions </li></ul>Leisure <ul><li>Lead advisor on a global agency arrangement for the mutual sale of tickets for tourist attractions </li><li>Represented a cryptocurrency business on its sponsorship of a Turkish football club </li></ul><h4>Automotive </h4><ul><li>Advising on a global IT outsourcing arrangement with multiple vendors </li><li>Lead legal advisor on the UK’s largest outsourced fleet management arrangement </li></ul><h4>Data Centers </h4><ul><li>Represented a neocloud provider on multiple, multi-billion dollar GPU procurement and deployment arrangements, in the US and Europe </li><li>Advising on the provision and procurement of colocations services across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, the US, Finland, France, Estonia and Spain </li></ul>Life Sciences Advising on clinical trial agreements, including data privacy compliance, including representing a number of clinical trial sponsors across Europe

Oliver Bell

Charlotte Cavendish advises on technology, commercial, and outsourcing transactions, with a focus on the technology, leisure, retail, and financial services sectors. She excels in negotiating and finalizing complex agreements, ensuring that clients’ commercial interests are strategically advanced. Charlotte advises on a range of commercial and technology transactions, including software and technology licensing, technology procurement, strategic technology partnerships, supply of goods and services agreements, and strategic sponsorship, marketing, and celebrity endorsement agreements. Charlotte also maintains a robust practice in technology and outsourcing transactions. She has an extensive background with handling complex information technology (IT) and business process outsourcing arrangements as well as major renegotiations of IT contracts and technology procurements. Charlotte also advises both supplier and customer clients on technology development, collaboration agreements, software and intellectual property licenses, “as a service” arrangements, and AI terms. Earlier in her career, Charlotte spent time seconded to a UK airport, advising on a transformational IT outsourcing project. <h4>Representative Matters </h4><ul><li>Advised a U.S. electronics manufacturer on joint development, licensing and resale arrangements relating to defence technologies </li><li>Advised a US consumer goods delivery company on its expansion into the United Kingdom, including a number of partnership, sponsorship, and marketing arrangements </li><li>Represented a US-based health insurer in the outsourcing of a significant portion of its technology function to multiple suppliers, involving the use of AI by the suppliers to implement significant operational transformation </li><li>Advised a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler on the renegotiation of a preferred supplier agreement with a major UK pharmacy chain, and on a broad range of ongoing commercial matters </li><li>Represented a global developer and operator of ultra-luxury destination resorts, hotels, and residences for the appearance of an internationally renowned artist at the grand opening of a new hotel </li></ul><ul><li>Advised a leading US healthcare provider on its affiliation and licensing activities as part of a partnership arrangement to develop a teaching hospital in the Middle East </li><li>Advising a specialty coffee roaster and retailer on strategic commercial deals, including retailer merchandising agreements, marketing and sponsorship opportunities, and social media influencer relationships </li><li>Advising financial services providers and customers on European outsourcing regulations </li><li>Represented a global service provider on one of its largest multijurisdictional finance and accounting business process outsourcings </li><li>Represented an international service provider on a number of strategically important IT projects </li><li>Represented a global bank on the renegotiation of its key IT outsourcing arrangement opposite a multinational technology corporation </li></ul><ul><li>Represented a US insurer in the procurement of “hybrid” IT arrangements </li><li>Represented a global service provider on multiple arrangements for the provision of front, middle, and back office services to asset management firms </li><li>Represented a global bank on a number of alliance partnerships for embedded banking products </li><li>Supported a number of clients on transitional services arrangements in support of merger and acquisition activities </li><li>Represented a trading platform provider in its sponsorship deal with a champion sportsperson</li></ul>

Charlotte Cavendish

Associate

Rosie is an associate and a member of the Technology Transactions Group, based in the London office. Rosie has experience in commercial contracts, intellectual property, data protection and IT and outsourcing contracts.Rosie has a keen interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and has experience advising across a variety of sectors, including technology, financial services, life sciences and energy. Rosie works with a broad range of clients, including large financial institutions, technology start-ups and large private and public companies.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Clients in the financial services sector on large outsourcing agreements.</li><li>A client in the energy sector on a competitive outsourcing, including reviewing and negotiating contracts with multiple suppliers.</li><li>A biotech company on various commercial contracts, including a license with complicated provisions on the use of AI.</li><li>Various higher education clients on intellectual property matters in a contractual context, including drafting and reviewing IP licenses, research contracts and collaboration agreements.</li><li>A private equity client on a services agreement in the context of a large corporate carve-out transaction.</li></ul>

Rosie Walsh-Kirk

Sana Ashcroft is an associate based in the London office of Morrison Foerster and is a member of the Technology Transactions Group.Sana advises on a wide range of domestic and cross-border commercial and non-contentious technology matters, including outsourcing, product sales, distribution and supply chain logistics agreements. Sana has also advised on the commercial, regulatory, IP and technology aspects of various acquisitions, and drafts, negotiates and advises on a broad range of technology contracts and commercial issues.She has advised on IT and outsourcing projects in the UK and across Europe, including data centre and software-as-a-service aspects, and she counsels clients regularly on service requirements and service levels.Sana’s representative experience includes:<ul><li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Providing ongoing assistance with European and Asian commercial contracts for the world’s largest package delivery service, including project management, and reviewing and drafting contractual provisions;</li><li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Drafting, reviewing and amending full suites of outsourcing documents for a leading supplier of administrative solutions in the asset management industry;</li><li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Negotiating, live-drafting and leading all-parties meetings in connection with a time-sensitive data centre agreement; and</li><li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Providing corporate support in connection with major technology mergers and acquisitions for companies such as Softbank and DST Systems, Inc.</li></ul>Sana is also involved in the firm’s pro bono activities. She regularly supervises free legal advice sessions on technology and commercial issues, has provided IP training for one of the world’s leading humanitarian charities, and also provides ongoing licensing and IP assistance for some of the firm’s longstanding pro bono clients.Sana received her B.A. in Law from the University of Cambridge in 2013, and subsequently completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law Moorgate in 2014.Sana is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales.

Sana Ashcroft

Georgia Wright is an associate based in the London office of Morrison & Foerster and is a member of the Technology Transactions Group and the Global Privacy Group.Georgia advises clients on a range of commercial matters, focusing on IT/technology, intellectual property and privacy. She has experience advising organizations on launching digital platforms, drafting software and IP licenses, M&A, commercial agreements, consumer issues, data protection and digital regulation. She has assisted large, multi-national organizations, SMEs and startups in a variety of sectors, including social media, software, e-commerce, fintech and telecoms.Georgia is also actively involved in the firm's pro bono activities. She has supported charities to meet their GDPR obligations, plan direct marketing activities and solve other commercial or IP issues. She particularly enjoys working with organizations with a focus on green initiatives and women’s rights.Georgia studied Classics at the University of Bristol and subsequently completed her Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course at the University of Law with distinctions.Before qualifying as a lawyer, Georgia worked for a SaaS company, assisting international brands to launch their digital media platforms.During her training contract at Morrison & Foerster, Georgia gained experience in the following practice areas: Finance Transactions, Corporate M&A, Commercial Litigation, Data Privacy and Technology Transactions.Georgia is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales.

Georgia Wright

Michelle Luo is a member of the Technology Transactions, Intellectual Property, and Data, Cyber + Privacy Groups. She advises global companies on the legal issues arising from the development, procurement, deployment, and commercialization of technology, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI), data protection, cybersecurity, digital regulation, and commercial contracts.She has experience advising organizations on their regulatory and compliance requirements, including in relation to:<ul><li>data protection laws (e.g., regarding cross-border data transfers, privacy policies, cookie compliance, and individual rights requests);</li><li>the EU AI Act (e.g., conducting risk analyses and helping clients with their AI governance and product development processes);</li><li>cybersecurity laws (e.g., assessing applicability and compliance with UK Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations and EU cyber regulations, such as NIS2 Directive, Critical Entities Resilience Directive, and Cyber Resilience Act, and assisting with registration); and</li><li>online safety and consumer regulations (e.g., advising on risk assessments and age assurance requirements under the UK Online Safety Act).</li></ul>Michelle also assists with commercial negotiations of services agreements, IP development and assignment agreements, and SaaS-based and software licensing agreements. She has a particular focus on addressing the commercial, IP, data protection, liability, and other legal consequences of AI technology in the context of commercial agreements. She has worked on a wide range of technology-based commercial arrangements (such as drafting online terms of use and other digital agreements supporting clients’ channels to market). And she has worked extensively on the IP, IT, data-related, and commercial contracts aspects of M&A transactions.Michelle actively contributes to MoFo’s pro bono initiatives by supporting a number of charities with their commercial agreements and privacy obligations, as well as supervising free legal advice sessions on IP, technology, and commercial issues.Michelle studied jurisprudence at St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford and subsequently completed her M.Sc. with distinction in law, business, and management at the University of Law. She is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales.

Michelle Luo

Technology Transactions