Of Counsel David Horner and Senior Associate Vik Khurana have been promoted to the partnership with effect from 1 May. Both partners specialise in technology and life sciences transactions, reflecting the firm’s strategic focus on these innovative sectors.

David is a corporate lawyer with over 16 years’ experience of advising both corporate and institutional clients, particularly those in the life sciences sector. He helps clients secure funding and access capital in international markets, advises on spin-outs from universities and research institutions and works with global organisations acquiring, divesting or investing in assets and businesses. David joined Bristows in 2009 having previously trained and worked in the London office of a leading US law firm. The majority of his work has a cross-border or international element, with many transactions involving US-headquartered clients.

Vik specialises in technology transactions, outsourcing, software development and licensing, cloud computing and e-commerce. As well as acting for technology and life sciences clients, Vik works in a number of other sectors including healthcare, financial services and government. Vik has a growing practice in emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence and HealthTech. He is a member of the Society for Computers & Law’s Outsourcing Committee and LexisPSL’s TMT Consulting Editorial Board, and is recommended in Legal 500.

Bristows has seen steady growth in its transactional practice in recent years, including the lateral hire in December 2019 of commercial IP partner Richard Dickinson, previously at Arnold & Porter. Since then, a further four associates have joined Richard at the firm.

Joint Managing Partner, Marek Petecki welcomed David and Vik to the partnership and commented: “Vik and Dave are both first-class lawyers, as well as an absolute pleasure to work with. We know that they will both add enormous value to our offering to clients, and our only regret is having to celebrate their promotion with them virtually rather than in person!”