“I really enjoy the breadth of my practice and developing strong client relationships. Helping consumer brands to leverage their key IP; advising clients on tricky data protection or freedom of information queries; drafting and negotiating high-value IT contracts or agreements.”

Joanna’s key areas of focus are intellectual property, life sciences, information technology, data protection, and freedom of information. She also advises on commercial contracts, particularly e-commerce.

Joanna is a Law Society of Scotland-accredited specialist in intellectual property law, and has been for over 20 years. She advises on and negotiates complex multi-party collaborations, R&D agreements, and also more straightforward IP licences. She helps clients to structure their deals to manage risks and pinpoint opportunities. She also helps brand-owners to fully exploit those properties in compliance with the law, in a variety of ways from competitions and prize draws to strategic partnering arrangements with other brands.

In IT deals, she acts for both purchasers and suppliers on key deals in many sectors including high street and investment banks, utilities, education sector, food and drink clients, and high-growth technology companies providing SaaS services.

Joanna also advises on data protection, cyber security and freedom of information. When clients are faced with complex or contentious data protection or FOI requests, she guides them through strategic responses and avoiding potential pitfalls. She has successfully represented clients facing investigations by the UK and Scottish Information Commissioners. She also helps clients who have experienced data breaches and cyber security incidents to manage the potential repercussions.

Joanna is also Chair of Prosper (formerly the Scottish Council for Development and Industry).

Areas of practice include:

Sector experience includes:

Admitted

1990: Scotland
2019: Republic of Ireland
2019: England and Wales

Relevant experience

Advising companies in the life sciences sector on intellectual property exploitation, collaboration agreements, developing new products and IP, clinical studies, trade marks and branding, regulatory matters, distribution agreements,
Advising Universities on a range of matters including R&D agreements, collaboration agreements, IP licences, spin-outs, data protection, freedom of information, open access rights and international campus development.
Advising consumer-facing brands in the food and drink and cosmetics sectors on appointing marketing agencies, on social media influencers and brand ambassador agreements and surrounding legal issues, international community-led casting campaigns, co-branding arrangements; major sponsorships of sports and music; and franchise agreements.
Advising companies in the life sciences sector on intellectual property exploitation, collaboration agreements, developing new products and IP, clinical studies, trade marks and branding, regulatory matters, and distribution agreements.
Advising Universities on a range of matters including R&D agreements, collaboration agreements, IP licences, spin-outs, data protection, freedom of information, open access rights, and international campus development.
Advising consumer-facing brands in the food and drink and cosmetics sectors on appointing marketing agencies, on social media influencers and brand ambassador agreements and surrounding legal issues, international community-led casting campaigns, co-branding arrangements; major sponsorships of sports and music; and franchise agreements.
Advising clients in the entertainment sector including obtaining rights to books, music, characters and personalities; commissioning services from scriptwriters, musicians, talent and others; on using images and drawings of iconic buildings and monuments; agreements with TV companies; games development; and publishing agreements.
Advising a range of clients on contentious subject access requests, dealing with repeated and vexatious requests, advising on criminal misuse of personal data, advising on intra-group and external data sharing arrangements (domestic and international), drafting Data Protection Impact Assessments and Legitimate Interests Assessments, liaising with the ICO; advising on claims for damage and distress resulting from data processing and advising on managing and responding to cyber-attacks and security breaches.
Advising clients in the public sector on freedom of information and environmental information requests in Scotland, England and Ireland including initial advice on exemptions, carrying out reviews and representing clients facing investigations by the UK and Scottish Information Commissioners as a result of requestors lodging complaints.
Advising banks on their IT procurements and outsourcing for new technology solutions including security products, payment services and due diligence products.
Advising software developers and SaaS providers on their template contracts and on negotiations with customers.

“Joanna is superb. She is really experienced in IP licensing and very highly regarded.”

Legal 500 (2024)

Further testimonials

“Joanna advises on collaboration and licence agreements of all kinds, and comes recommended for bringing to market new technologies and the management of established and growing brand portfolios. “Joanna is very commercially able and a technically astute practitioner.”

Chambers (2022)

“She is a very insightful and experienced lawyer, and her advice is commercial as well as legal.”

Chambers (2021)

“She is always extremely quick to respond and provides sensible, pragmatic advice”.

Chambers (2021)

“Joanna is an extremely knowledgeable, competent and practical lawyer who is always a pleasure to work with.”

Chambers (2021)

Further information:

Recognition and memberships

Accredited Specialist in Intellectual Property Law, Law Society of Scotland (1998)
One of only two Scottish lawyers in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame for Intellectual property (for individuals receiving constant praise by clients for excellence)