Laura Harper Specialises In Intellectual Property And Media Law

The Manchester office of law firm Irwin Mitchell has boosted its Commercial team with the appointment of partner Laura Harper.

Laura is a leading intellectual property (IP) and media specialist lawyer with over 20 years of commercial law experience in the city advising individuals, SMEs, mid-sized businesses and large corporates across a range of creative and technology driven industries on complex IP matters. 

Laura said: “Irwin Mitchell’s Business Legal Services division is structured to effectively support multi-national companies, mid-sized organisations through to individual professionals – this makes the team here a perfect fit for the businesses in my practice and those in the wider creative, digital and innovation sectors. I am very much looking forward to building Irwin Mitchell’s Commercial, IP and media practice in Manchester. 

“Growth of the creative industries sector in Manchester is already second only to London and there are strong signs that this will continue to be the case in the future. The city will continue to be at the heart of the Northern economy and our media and creative and innovation businesses will be key to not only the regional but the national economy. In order to thrive they will require specialist support and advice from all professional services including lawyers.

“Having built a strong reputation for advising businesses operating in these sectors I am confident that we can continue to support the sector and share in its success both here in the region and nationally and indeed, internationally.”

Prior to joining Irwin Mitchell Laura established and led the IP team at Shoosmiths LLP in Manchester as a partner where she built a Top Tier Media and Entertainment practice.

Nationally, Irwin Mitchell has recruited 13 partners this year and Laura’s arrival follows the recent arrival of Manchester-based Planning and Environment partner, Claire Petricca-Riding. Claire joined Irwin Mitchell in October from Brabners where she was a partner and Head of Planning and Environment.  

Commenting on Laura’s arrival, Victoria Brackett, CEO of Irwin Mitchell’s Business Legal Services division, said: 

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“Laura has very solid experience and an excellent track record working with large companies, innovative and entrepreneurial businesses. Her specialist expertise will allow us to tap into opportunities in the North West, whilst also complementing our national media practice.

“We are investing heavily in our people and I’m confident Laura will be a great asset to our team at Irwin Mitchell and will help us to fulfil our ambition of providing first-class advice to clients in today’s fast moving business environment.”
Victoria Brackett - Group Chief Commercial Officer