Wragge & Co's Advertising & Marketing Law team provides a dedicated service to leading blue chip brand owners, regulators and government bodies.

Led by Cerryg Jones and Dan Smith, the team draws on industry knowledge and experience to tackle the legal issues that affect advertising and marketing.

All advertising claims are subject to regulatory and self-regulatory regimes - yet the claims naturally favoured by marketing teams can often be the most problematic. Getting lawyers in early to advise on advertising strategy and claims substantiation can help avoid costly legal issues down the line. The team prides itself on finding solutions to enable businesses to fulfil their marketing objectives, while mitigating the legal risk.

Whether helping to formulate advertising strategy, negotiating sponsorship, advertising agency and celebrity talent agreements, advising on the use of new media or clearing copy and content, the team has experience in the full range of advertising and marketing matters. For BP, it advised on the Tier One deal to be the oil and gas partner for the London 2012 Olympics - one of the highest profile sponsorship deals in the sports world.

If problems arise, experts are on standby to manage disputes with competitors or investigations by regulators. The team steered Birds Eye to victory over complaints made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) regarding its omega 3 fish fingers.

Not afraid to advise clients in a market entirely new to advertising, the team wins plaudits for its approach to ground-breaking work. Working with the NHS on its first advertising campaign, it helped formulate strategy for advertising, advised on regulatory options and drafted a code of practice to apply across the NHS.

Specialists in matters relating to marketing competitions, the team regularly advises clients on high-profile campaigns and prize draws, including Birds Eye's 100 million pack 'Be Mortgage Free' promotion. In doing so, it helps clients avoid criminal liability for running illegal lotteries.

Internationally, lawyers assist clients with global and pan-European campaigns, cross-border regulatory complaints and issues with competitor advertising. When it comes to fighting disputes in Europe, businesses often choose to litigate in Germany. The firm has people on the ground in Munich to offer clients a seamless service and effective results. Expert guidance helps to settle worldwide disputes favourably, allowing clients such as Wilkinson Sword to build market share and profile.

To ensure clients stay up to date with the latest developments, the team issues alerts, analysis and action points on topics ranging from product placement in UK programming to the practical implications of the latest ASA rulings. It regularly provides speakers for events and delivers training to clients on subjects such as the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, comparative advertising (following O2 -v- H3G), Web 2.0 and the use of new media in advertising and the implications of gambling legislation for prize draws.

Clients include Birds Eye, BP, Cadbury plc, Department of Health, Energizer, the Gambling Commission, Marks & Spencer and United Biscuits.

For more information contact Dan Smith (dan_smith@wragge.com).