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Pitmans, the Thames Valley ‘Law Firm of the Year’ 2008/09 award winner, has boosted its Corporate team with the appointment of Andrew Priest as Information Technology Partner, who joins the firm’s London office from Pinsent Masons LLP.

Andrew is a senior IT lawyer specialising in IT outsourcing projects and other major IT contracts including software related arrangements and online gambling. At Pinsent Masons he led teams on numerous deals, and mentored junior lawyers. Andrew also holds an MBA from Manchester Business School.

In recent years Andrew has advised on a number of significant IT projects in both the private and public sectors including, notably, deals for Whitbread Plc (desktop outsourcing), William Hill Online (online gaming), the Legal Services Commission (delivery transformation), Vertex Data Science (IT outsourcing) and Genting Stanley Alderney (online gaming). Andrew has also previously advised on ICT arrangements for the Department for Work & Pensions, Fujitsu Services, AOL UK and the Highland Council.

Commenting on the appointment, Christopher Avery, Managing Partner at Pitmans, said:

“This new hire is in line with Pitmans’ growth plans for our firmly established London office, which recently saw the addition of a new sport and entertainment practice. Andrew’s expertise in the TMT sector will further boost the firm’s existing offering in this area”.

Andrew Priest added: “I am looking forward to developing the firm’s ICT practice, building on a good range of existing clients in London and the M4 corridor. ICT systems are increasingly important for many businesses, not only in terms of internal processing but also in enabling delivery of strategic objectives in the marketplace“.