Bill Gornall-King
Partner

...a terrific lawyer, bright, enthusiastic and always on top of the situation

Chambers UK 2006

Email
Call on 0118 952 7247

In brief

I work for a variety of UK and international companies, some of them global, looking to protect and commercially exploit their intellectual property, especially in the IT and service sectors as well as advising businesses from a range of sectors on commercial issues both at a strategic level and negotiating and drafting commercial agreements.

In public

I regularly present lectures on specialist areas of technology law as well as providing training courses to clients on legal issues affecting their business operations (e.g. competition law). I write articles for the local and regional business press as well as speaking on the radio about legal issues.

In work

Recognised by both legal directories as one of the leading practitioners of IT law in the UK, I have worked across a wide range of commercial, intellectual property and technology projects and cases from complex international outsourcing agreements to template documentation. I am increasingly called upon to advise on strategic issues faced by clients and also provide general counsel on a variety of topics. To many clients I have become their 'trusted advisor'.

I was chairman of the firm for eight years (2001-2009) during a period of unprecedented growth and development in the life of the firm.

Industry associations

I am a member of the Law Society and sit on its Intellectual Property Working Party which advises the profession and seeks to influence changes in the law and regulations affecting all types of intellectual property. Other memberships include the Society for Computers and Law, the Thames Valley Commercial Lawyers Association and the Solicitors European Group. I am an affiliate of the British Computer Society and the firm's representative for INTA (International Trademark Association).

In addition to these I am President of the Council of the Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry and also sit on the Council of the Thames Valley Group of Chambers. I am passionate about the development and maintenance of Reading as the capital of the Thames Valley and the jewel in the crown of this economically most successful sub-region of the UK.

In the past

With Lancashire roots, I was brought up in Brighton and attended the College there. I graduated from Exeter University; was one of the guinea pig year for the Law Society's finals course at the College of Law, Guildford; qualified in 1982, joining Boyes Turner as a partner in 1988.

In my spare time

I am an active member of the local business and professional community having formerly been a chairman and president of Reading Round Table and more recently chairman of Reading 41 club. I am a vice-president of Redingensians RFC where I am the colts manager. My other interests include military history and opera - Puccini being my favourite composer. You can't beat 'Tosca' at Verona! I am a regular visitor to Flanders and the Somme battlefields of the First World War and unashamedly shed a tear every time I attend the Menin Gate ceremony.

Favourite things

Album: Made in Heaven, Queen – a fitting tribute to the greatest front man any band could have
Place in the world: The Great Wall of China, watching the sun rise listening to 'Made in Heaven'
Car: My Volvo C70T5

Back to our people

Bill Gornall-King Partner