Thames Valley: Pitmans merges with SK-SE

Pitmans, the Thames Valley Law Firm of the Year 2008/09 award winner, has strengthened its offering with the merger of SK Sport and Entertainment (SK-SE), adding a team of eight to the Firm’s London office.

Pitmans has rapidly matured into one of the largest and most respected law firms in the region, offering comprehensive legal services to an extensive range of national and international clients, with offices in London and Reading.

Established over 150 years ago, Pitmans has a strong and lengthy history in the Thames Valley, with a London presence since 2005. In 2008, the Firm moved its City office to larger premises due to a major increase in business activity, and has undergone one of the biggest and fastest expansions of any legal practices west of London, now comprising 30 partners and approximately 200 staff.

Through Interact Europe, an alliance of European law firms founded by Pitmans in 1990, the Firm has associated offices providing access to legal specialists in all main jurisdictions throughout Europe.

Set up in 2002 by Jeremy Summers, SK Sport and Entertainment (SK-SE) is a boutique practice specialising in the IP and commercial side of the sport, media and entertainment industries; with clients and activities spanning six continents.

SK-SE is involved in many high profile matters and has unparalleled experience in a diverse range of sectors, working on some of the largest events staged, including the Sydney Olympic Games, Manchester Commonwealth Games and Doha Asian Games; and other high profile events including the Concert for Diana, Princess of Wales. A selection of SK’s recent high profile transactions and existing clients include:

Events - Peace One Day and Royal Parks’ Half Marathon;
Sport - Ascot Racecourse, England and Wales Cricket Board, World Rowing Federation, World In Motion, Rob Green and Usain Bolt;
Music - Live Nation (the world’s biggest promoter), Festival Republic, Academy Music Group, William Morris Endeavour (the world’s biggest talent agency), Agent’s Association of Great Britain and various artists, labels and publishers;
Theatre - Back Row (Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake) and Priscilla on Stage Limited (Priscilla Queen of the Desert);
Trade Marks — Ascot Racecourses, England and Wales Cricket Board, Jockey Club Racecourses, Clear Channel, Monsters of Rock, Peace One Day, Taio Cruz, The Ashes, The Ting Tings, Usain Bolt, World in Motion.

Commenting on the merger, Pitmans managing partner Christopher Avery said: “This merger is in line with Pitmans’ growth plans for our firmly established London office. We are constantly interviewing to expand it and to meet client demand. The arrival of Jeremy and his team can only serve to enhance our existing full service offering to our clients.”

Jeremy Summers of SK-SE commented: "Pitmans is a great fit for SK-SE, enabling the team to grow and providing the resources and infrastructure under which our firm can flourish, allowing us to provide a much more comprehensive and efficient service to our clients, with an impressive mix of departments for cross fertilisation.”