Norton Rose has entered into an innovative deal with its new client McLaren Group, replacing long-term advisor Baker & McKenzie. The appointment, which sees the law firm appointed advisor to the company as well as getting access to its Formula 1 top performance management techniques, comes after the McLaren Group put the work out to tender.
Norton Rose Fulbright’s appointment as global legal advisor to McLaren Group also covers McLaren Racing and McLaren Applied Technologies and excludes McLaren Automotive.

Sponsorship deal

As global legal advisor, Norton Rose Fulbright will work closely with McLaren Group’s in-house legal team, providing a range of services including corporate and M&A, contractual and intellectual property, real estate and employment law. The firm will also participate in a sponsorship deal, mooted to be around £5 million, which gives it access to the McLaren Formula 1 team which has won 182 Grand Prix races, achieved 155 pole positions and claimed 12 drivers’ world championships and eight constructors’ championships. The deal will also see the two workingon a joint corporate social responsibility initiative which will be announced later.

Teamwork

Commenting on the deal, Peter Martyr, global chief executive, Norton Rose Fulbright said:  “By becoming a corporate partner and providing worldwide legal services to McLaren Group, we aim to reinforce the importance that we place on our people’s commitment to teamwork and excellence. We have already committed to developing a joint CSR project.”
Timothy Murnane, group legal director, McLaren Group said the company saw ‘Norton Rose Fulbright as one of the leading global legal practices, combining a lengthy history with an appetite for change and a pursuit of excellence which resonates with our own corporate ideals. Our unique partnership will bring together two highly respected global businesses with the potential to achieve great things together.”