HomePress ReleasesWiggin hires another partner to bolster its market-leading gambling team

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LONDON – Media, technology and IP law firm Wiggin has further strengthened its position in the global gambling market by hiring sector specialist Simon Bernholt, who joins from the world’s largest online gambling software and services supplier, Playtech plc, where he was UK Head of Legal. Simon joins the team as a partner.

The move to Wiggin is a return to private practice for Simon, who was previously a commercial and regulatory lawyer with Olswang for seven years, specialising in the gambling sector. He is experienced in advising on the full range of commercial, IP and domestic and international regulatory issues facing stakeholders in the gambling industry.

Co-Head of Wiggin’s Betting & Gaming Team, Stephen Ketteley, said: “Wiggin has built one of the largest teams of gambling sector-focused legal advisers in the world. Simon will add further kudos to our premier-ranked team.  His experience will provide immeasurable benefits to clients as he has a full understanding of the constraints and pressures put upon global in-house legal teams.

“As a wave of consolidation sweeps through the sector and as the industry comes under ever-increasing political and regulatory scrutiny; we are delighted to have Simon aboard to help our client base navigate the complex challenges ahead.”

Legal 500 awarded Wiggin as the “Gaming & Betting Firm of the Year” 2017. The team represents many of the world’s largest and most successful gambling businesses as well as media businesses, brand owners, payment processors and service providers with interests in the sector.  Wiggin provides legal advice on regulation both onshore and offshore, all sector related commercial arrangements and on domestic and international corporate transactions.

In November 2017, Wiggin was joined by IP law firm Redd which brought 20 specialist IP lawyers into the business.  In addition to Anna Carboni, Sara Ashby and Simon Chalkley from Redd, Wiggin also made a number of lateral partner hires in 2016/7: Paul Gardner (Computer Games), Chris Hanson (Film & TV), Alan Owens (Litigation), Stephen Ketteley and David McLeish (Betting & Gaming), and David Naylor (Technology).

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