Spring edition

Welcome to the latest edition of our Coordinated Counsel Insights.

Over recent months, our focus has been firmly on supporting in‑house teams through a mix of shared learning and practical scenario‑testing.

In this edition, we look back at our spring conference in Birmingham and London, where in‑house counsel came together to explore practical responses to evolving issues such as AI risk, legal privilege, governance priorities, and contract strategy.

We also share news of a landmark Court of Appeal decision that earned our IP litigation team a UK Impact Case of the Year award, alongside further recognition in the WTR 1000 for the depth of our IP expertise.

You’ll also find insights from our ‘Boardroom Breach’ cyber‑crisis simulation, and a selection of blogs, commentary and webinar content covering topics such as AI, ESG, employment law changes and greenwashing risk – all chosen with in‑house priorities in mind.

Finally, we’re shining a light on the people behind Coordinated Counsel — starting with Carys Thompson, whose experience and insight help bring the programme to life.

We hope this edition gives you something useful to take away — and as ever, we’re always happy to talk through what these developments mean for your organisation.

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A quick look back at our spring training conference

Our Coordinated Counsel spring training conference took place in March in Birmingham and London, bringing together in-house counsel for a practical, fast-paced update on the issues shaping 2026.

Across a series of focused sessions, delegates explored the latest contract law developments, how to handle legal privilege safely in real-world in-house settings, and the governance priorities rising to the top of board agendas. We also tackled navigating AI risk, strengthening contractual protections, and spotting hidden IP risks before they become problems.

It was a great opportunity to share insights, swap experiences and focus on what really matters day-to-day for in-house teams. And if you missed out this time, don’t worry – plans for our autumn conference are already underway! Watch this space for dates and details.

For more on our in‑house programme and how we support in‑house teams throughout the year, visit our dedicated webpage.

A UK Impact Case of the Year win for our IP litigation team

We’re really pleased to share that we were recognised for a UK Impact Case of the Year at the Managing IP Awards 2026 earlier this month, following our work on a landmark Court of Appeal decision in Kohler Mira Limited v Norcros Group (Holdings) Limited.

The Managing IP Awards are widely regarded as the leading global awards programme for intellectual property law, and this category recognises cases that have a lasting impact on UK IP law and industry. Winning reflects both the importance of the court’s decision, and the commercial certainty it delivered for our client – an outcome that will be relevant to many businesses managing patent risk and defending innovation.

We’re really proud of the team involved in bringing this case to a successful conclusion, and it’s great to see our work recognised.

We've been recognised in the WTR 1000

Building on our Managing IP Awards win, we’re also delighted to share that we have, once again, been recognised in the WTR 1000 - the leading independent guide to trademark and IP expertise - with four members of our intellectual property team individually ranked this year.

The rankings span both IP transactions and litigation, reflecting the breadth of expertise across our practice and our ability to support organisations at every stage of the IP lifecycle. For in‑house teams, this means access to advisers who combine technical depth with a strong understanding of commercial context, risk and strategy.

The WTR 1000 rankings are shaped by independent research and client feedback, so we’d like to say a genuine thank you to everyone who shared their experience. We really value the close relationships we have with in-house teams and enjoy tackling the challenges that come with fast‑moving, ever‑evolving IP issues together.

Inside our Boardroom Breach: The Critical Hours event

Our immersive ‘Boardroom Breach: The Critical Hours’ event was a real highlight. Designed by the PrivacyRules alliance and delivered with CSS Assure using the Polpeo simulation platform, it gave senior leaders a first-hand taste of what the earliest hours of a cyber-attack or data breach really feel like – fast-moving, high-pressure and complex.

Through the live simulation, attendees were able to test decision‑making in real time, stress‑test incident response plans, and gain practical insight into the legal, regulatory, technical and communications challenges that emerge during a crisis. Just as importantly, the session helped strengthen team dynamics and leadership confidence, with clear, actionable takeaways to improve organisational resilience.

If you missed it this time, there’s another opportunity coming up on Wednesday 17 June at The Shard. Places are limited, so secure your space now.

Our latest thoughts and insights

Commercial Contracts:

Proposed Changes to Tackle Late Payments and What They Mean for Businesses

Consumer:

CMA Issues First Drip Pricing Fine Under the DMCCA: What Businesses Need to Know

Intellectual Property:

When a Name Becomes a Brand: Lessons from the Jo Malone Trade Mark Dispute

Technology Transfer Agreements: What the New TTBEO Means for Your Business

ESG:

ESG In 2026: How AI Regulation, Sustainability Reporting and Greenwashing Risk Affect UK Businesses

Carbon Credits in Advertising: How Businesses Can Reduce Greenwashing Risks

Employment:

Employment Rights Act 2025: What Employers Need to Know

AI and the Law:

The Global Litigator | AI and the Law: Global Developments and What They Mean for Professional Services Teams

Meet the people behind Coordinated Counsel

Behind Coordinated Counsel is a team of lawyers working closely with in-house teams every day, often across multiple disciplines, including many who have worked as lawyers in-house themselves. In this edition, we’re taking a closer look at one of the people helping to shape this programme and support the community.

Carys Thompson

Carys is based in our Sheffield hub and leads our commercial contracts and advisory practice, giving her a truly firm‑wide perspective on the challenges businesses face.

She works with organisations of all sizes – from early‑stage ventures to large national and international companies – delivering advice that’s practical, commercially focused and grounded in how businesses actually operate.

With deep experience in the manufacturing sector, Carys brings a valuable in‑house lens to her work, having previously held the role of head of legal for an international manufacturing and engineering business.

That first‑hand in‑house experience still shapes everything she does. Clients trust Carys with complex commercial arrangements, from supply arrangements and joint ventures to outsourcing, IP licensing and digital and e‑commerce frameworks – always with a sharp focus on what works in practice, not just on paper.

Alongside her client work, Carys has been the driving force behind the growth of Coordinated Counsel and the creation of In‑House Assist, our flexible, on‑demand legal resourcing solution designed specifically for in‑house teams.

If you’d like to connect with Carys, find out more about In‑House Assist or explore how Coordinated Counsel could support your team, please do get in touch.

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Updated: September 2025

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