A three-partner litigation boutique has launched in London’s West End bringing together lawyers from News International, Carter-Ruck and Mishcon de Reya.
Called Taylor Macmillan, the firm will specialise in media litigation and IP, acting for both defendants and claimants of libel actions.
Daniel Taylor, a senior in-house lawyer at News International, set up the firm with Carter-Ruck senior associate Kate Macmillan and Mishcon de Reya consultant Simon Gallant.
“We’re hoping to expand fairly rapidly,” said Taylor. “It’s a challenge, but a very welcome one.”
Taylor’s practice will focus on advising libel defendants, whereas Macmillan will handle claimant work.
Taylor handled high-profile libel trials for The Sun and News of the World, including famously defending The Sun against libel action brought by Gillian Taylforth in 1994.
Macmillan joined Carter-Ruck nine years ago after a career in journalism, during which she edited newspaper industry magazine Newspaper Focus.
Gallant has experience advising on both sides and also has a practice enforcing IP rights for fashion companies such as Ted Baker, Liberty and shoe retailer Office.
He was a partner for eight years at Mishcons, between 1990 and 1998, and became a consultant to follow personal projects.
The firm bears only the names of Taylor and Macmillan as Gallant had yet to decide on joining when the firm was set up in the summer. Taylor said: “Kate and I registered it three or four months ago, at which point Simon hadn’t made the decision to join.”
Taylor Macmillan has opened as a limited-liability partnership with offices in Greek Street in Soho.
The launch of Taylor Macmillan follows the launch of IP/IT boutiques such as iLaw, m-Law, New Media Law and Technology Law Alliance in recent years.
