The pitch of the year: Apple seeks sole European legal adviser
Apple Retail, the division of the iconic computer manufacturer’s business that is responsible for all its stores, has launched a search for a sole external adviser for Europe, in what will be one of the hardest-fought tenders of the year.
The business, which sells trendy gadgetry including the iPhone and the iPod, has sent out tender documents to a number of firms to advise on non-property legal services with a deadline of tomorrow (30 June) for proposal requests.
A source at one firm said: “They’re very sophisticated purchasers - they know instances where they want several legal advisers and instances where they want a single adviser.”
Firms that have advised Apple across a number of areas in the past include Baker & McKenzie, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Jones Day.
Apple Retail operates a streamlined in-house legal function, having just one lawyer for the Europe, Middle East and Asia region in UK-based Elaine Hutton.
As a result, in recent months it has sought external advice on a number of areas, including corporate, competition, general retail, product warranty, third liaison and government work, regulatory, health and safety, employment, litigation and shareholder disputes.
A source with knowledge of Apple Retail said: “It’s always been a very lean legal function - a lot is centralised at HQ in the US and there’s a lean staff internationally, but having a single external adviser would be quite unusual.”
Apple declined to comment on the appointment.
