Steve Holmes

Biography

Steve Holmes co-leads Baker McKenzie’s EMEA IP, technology and data teams. Steve is rated by the UK legal directories as a leading lawyer in the outsourcing, telecoms and technology categories, which state:

"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)

"He is very commercial and experienced . . . He is definitely someone you want on your side in a tough negotiation." (Chambers UK, 2020, Telecoms).

“Steve is a superstar. He builds rapport like no one I've ever seen and gets deals done efficiently and with finesse." "He's one of the top lawyers in the outsourcing market" (Chambers UK, 2020, Outsourcing).

"Very strong." "Excellent academically and commercially." (Chambers UK, 2020, Information Technology).

“Steve Holmes brings a combination of expert and commercially relevant analysis that is very much appreciated.” (Legal 500, 2020, IT and Telecoms).

Clients commend his "wealth of experience in the IT world and for his understanding of where the market is and where the technology is developing," and comment that “his customer service is great and he challenges us to think creatively." (Chambers UK, 2019, Information Technology).

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 UK listed pharmaceutical company on exclusive distribution and promotion arrangements across EMEA with a leading Italian distributor.
Advising a US based medical device company on an exclusive EMEA distribution deal with a Chinese medical device manufacturer.
Advising a Japanese pharmaceutical company on a drug manufacturing and supply agreement with a leading French pharmaceutical company.
Advising a German biopharmaceutical company on its standard wholesale distribution agreement.
Advising a UK listed pharmaceutical company on transitional arrangements relating to the sale of a drug manufacturing facility in China.
Advising a US research-based biopharmaceutical company on its voluntary licensing arrangements.
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.
Advising on the transitional arrangements for the sale of a drug across various markets, including supporting the transition planning phase.
Advising on technology aspects relating to the acquisition of a UK headquartered digital health platform.

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.