Chris Coughlan

Industry Sector Expertise

Commercial

GDPR

Information & Data Management

Intellectual Property

International

Media & Entertainment

Sport

Practice Areas

Chris heads up our cross departmental technology sector. He is an experienced IT lawyer who joined Capital Law in February 2019 from Ashfords LLP. Chris was head of Ashfords data protection team and a senior member of their technology sector group.

Chris brings invaluable IT experience to Capital, having previously worked on and lead a number of large high value and complex IT infrastructure and outsourcing projects, including organisations such as Thames Water, the Post Office, and Sensus (now part of the Xylem group) on all of their smart metering projects in the UK, including the Thames Water smart network in conjunction with Arqiva.

Since joining us Chris has continued to advise clients on a wide variety of technology matters, including IT outsourcing arrangements; AI platform developments; disruptive fintech and insuretech products; and innovative products in the energy management and wider green tech space.

Chris is a committee member of the South West Group of the Society for Computers and Law (SCL) and passionate about promoting technology in the law. Chris is working on expanding the reach of SCL into Wales, engaging with other firms and academic institutions.

Chris is leading Capital Law’s relationship with the Alacrity foundation in Newport, a technology incubator backed by Wesley Clover and the Welsh Government. Alacrity selected Capital as their first law tech strategic partner. Chris, along with our IT director and other members of our team, is working closely with the Alacrity team that is developing the first Law Tech business which will graduate from Alacrity.

Chris is also admitted as a solicitor with the Law Society of Ireland and leads Capital’s Irish desk which we launched in early 2020.

Career

Partner, Capital Law Limited (May 2022 – present)

Senior Associate, Capital Law Limited (2019 – Apr 2022)

Senior Associate, Ashfords LLP (2017 – 2019)

Associate, Ashfords LLP (2015 – 2017)

Solicitor, Ashfords LLP (2012 – 2015)

Solicitor, Berry Smith LLP (2010 – 2012)

Trainee Solicitor, Berry Smith LLP (2008 – 2010)

Legal Assistant, Berry Smith LLP (2007 – 2008)

Legal Assistant, Hugh James (Jul 2007 – Sept 2007)

Professional Memberships

The Law Society of England and Wales

The Law Society of Ireland

Board Member of the South West Group of the Society for Computers and Law

Education