Pitmans Press Release: Pitmans Continues Expansion With SK-SE Merger

For immediate release November 2009 PITMANS CONTINUES EXPANSION WITH SK-SE MERGER Pitmans, the Thames Valley ‘Law Firm of the Year’ 2008/09 award winner, has strengthened its offering with the merger of SK Sport and Entertainment (SK-SE), adding a team of eight to the Firm’s London office. Pitmans has rapidly matured into one of the largest and most respected law firms in the region, offering comprehensive legal services to an extensive range of national and international clients, with offices in London and Reading. Established over 150 years ago, Pitmans has a strong and lengthy history in the Thames Valley, with a London presence since 2005. In 2008, the Firm moved its City office to larger premises due to a major increase in business activity, and has undergone one of the biggest and fastest expansions of any legal practices west of London, now comprising 30 partners and approximately 200 staff. Through Interact Europe, an alliance of European law firms founded by Pitmans in 1990, the Firm has associated offices providing access to legal specialists in all main jurisdictions throughout Europe. Set up in 2002 by Jeremy Summers, SK Sport and Entertainment (SK-SE) is a boutique practice specialising in the IP and commercial side of the sport, media and entertainment industries; with clients and activities spanning six continents. SK-SE is involved in many high profile matters and has unparalleled experience in a diverse range of sectors, working on some of the largest events staged, including the Sydney Olympic Games, Manchester Commonwealth Games and Doha Asian Games; and other high profile events including the Concert for Diana, Princess of Wales. A selection of SK’s recent high profile transactions and existing clients include: Events - Peace One Day and Royal Parks’ Half Marathon; Sport - Ascot Racecourse, England and Wales Cricket Board, World Rowing Federation, World In Motion, Rob Green and Usain Bolt; Music - Live Nation (the world’s biggest promoter), Festival Republic, Academy Music Group, William Morris Endeavour (the world’s biggest talent agency), Agent’s Association of Great Britain and various artists, labels and publishers; Theatre - Back Row (Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake) and Priscilla on Stage Limited (Priscilla Queen of the Desert); Trade Marks – Ascot Racecourses, England and Wales Cricket Board, Jockey Club Racecourses, Clear Channel, Monsters of Rock, Peace One Day, Taio Cruz, The Ashes, The Ting Tings, Usain Bolt, World in Motion. Commenting on the merger, Pitmans Managing Partner, Christopher Avery said: “This merger is in line with Pitmans’ growth plans for our firmly established London office. We are constantly interviewing to expand it and to meet client demand. The arrival of Jeremy and his team can only serve to enhance our existing full service offering to our clients.” Jeremy Summers of SK-SE comments: “Pitmans is a great fit for SK-SE, enabling the team to grow and providing the resources and infrastructure under which our firm can flourish, allowing us to provide a much more comprehensive and efficient service to our clients, with an impressive mix of departments for cross fertilisation”. -Ends- For further information, please contact: Jackie Tang, Pitmans, jtang@pitmans.com 0118 957 0274 / 07881 817199 Susan Maloney, Pitmans, smaloney@pitmans.com 0118 957 0225 NOTES TO EDITORS: • Winner of ‘Law Firm of the Year’ and ‘Deal of the Year’ at the 2008 Thames Valley Deals Awards • 7th largest law Firm in the South East of England, outside of London • Pitmans has offices in London and Reading • 1 Crown Court, 66 Cheapside, London EC2V 6LR • 47 Castle Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 7SR • The Anchorage, 34 Bridge Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 2LU • 30 Partners • Staff members now total more than 200 • Pitmans is the Thames Valley’s leading commercial law firm, with 21 departments ranging from Banking & Finance, Commercial, Commercial Property, Competition Law, Construction, Corporate, Debt Recovery, Defendant Insurance, Dispute Resolution, Employment, IT, Insolvency & Corporate Recovery, Intellectual Property, Pensions, Planning & Environment, Private Client: Matrimonial, Private Tax & Succession Planning; Residential Development, Risk & Compliance, Sport & Entertainment, Telecommunications • Pitmans’ website can be found at www.pitmans.com • Pitmans is a founder member of InterAct Europe EEIG, a network of Law firms in Europe – www.interacteurope.com • On 2nd November 2009, SK Sport and Entertainment merged with Pitmans, to become Pitmans SK Sport and Entertainment LLP, based at Pitmans’ London office