Steve Holmes

Biography

Steve Holmes co-leads Baker McKenzie’s EMEA IP, technology and data teams. Steve is widely regarded as a leading lawyer amongst clients and in the market for drafting and negotiating major life sciences transactions, as well as technology, outsourcing, telecommunications and digital transactions in which he acts for both customers and suppliers across a range of sectors. In 2025, he was one of just nine lawyers ranked by Chambers Global for outsourcing work and is also ranked as a leading individual in the UK for IT, Outsourcing and Telecoms. Legal directories state:

"Steve Holmes leads Baker McKenzie's technology and communications practice, and is highly sought after by customers and providers of IT services to counsel on digital transformation projects and software licensing." (Chambers UK, 2025, Information Technology and Outsourcing)

"His wealth of experience combined with his finesse makes him someone you want on your side in a difficult negotiation." (Chambers UK, 2025, Telecommunications)

"Steve Holmes has a proven way of cutting through the noise and is collaborative in getting deals done." (Chambers UK, 2024, Information Technology and Outsourcing)

"Well prepared and a capable negotiator." "He's got a wealth of experience, a good understanding of IT and tech, and knows the technical aspects of a mobile network. He is super-aware and really able to identify issues that might arise." (Chambers UK, 2024, Telecommunications)

Practice Focus

Steve’s practice focuses on drafting and negotiating major life sciences, technology, outsourcing, telecommunications and digital transactions, acting for both customers and suppliers across a range of sectors. He also provides regulatory advice to clients operating in the life science, technology and digital space.

Representative Legal Matters

Life Sciences

Advising a UK listed pharmaceutical company on hybrid exclusive distribution and co-promotion arrangements with a Chinese pharmaceutical importer and distributor.
Advising a Japanese pharmaceutical company on a drug manufacturing and supply agreement with a leading French pharmaceutical company.
Advising a global pharmaceutical company on the transitional arrangements relating to the sale of pharmaceutical products across multiple territories, including arrangements to transfer the manufacturing authorisations.

Outsourcing

Advised a global audit firm on the outsourcing of their internal “compute” services.
Advised a UK high street bank on the outsourcing of their anti-money laundering system to BAE Systems.
Advised a global financial services company on the retendering of their global network services outsourcing agreement covering core and branch office networks across more than 140 countries world-wide.

Telecoms

Advised a UK mobile network operator on a range of technology procurement and implementation deals, including 5G deployment, software licensing, IT support, application development and maintenance services and network equipment.
Advised an MVNO in the re-negotiation of its network agreement with a mobile network operator.

Digital

Advised a UK high street bank on the procurement of digital advertising services.
Advised a UK insurance provider on digital transformation of their technology infrastructure.

Technology

Advised one of the big four audit firms on a range of technology development and procurement projects over the last 12 years, including a global enterprise deal for Microsoft Azure, the licensing and implementation of a global SAP system, framework outsourcing (and cloud) services agreements with TCS, IBM and Cognizant.
Advised a leading insurance company in the UK on the transformation of their data centre services (including transfer between data centres).

Admissions

England & Wales~United Kingdom (1998)

Education

College of Law, Chester (L.P.C.) (1995)
Cambridge University (Robinson College) (Law Degree) (1994)

Languages

English
French

Steve has spoken and written extensively on a broad range of issues, including: cloud computing, digital transformation, service levels, payment mechanisms, content licensing and intermediary / platform liability.

Steve is active in diversity and inclusion, participating in Baker McKenzie’s social mobility, ethnicity and gender focused activities. He was the founding partner of Baker McKenzie’s social mobility group.