Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has strengthened its technology practice with the appointment of Sheilah Mackie who joins as a legal director in the Southampton office. 

Sheilah joins from BAE Systems where she was legal counsel in the IP & Technology Law Group and responsible for the maritime business units. She also worked on strategic projects in the UK advising on university frameworks and sports technology sponsorship agreements as well as acting on a range of international matters including in Australia and the US. Prior to that she spent twelve years with Blake Morgan LLP, six as a partner, leading their South Coast commercial and technology practices.

Sheilah advises clients on complex technology and commercial arrangements (including in relation to MOD and CCS contracts), multi-party collaborations, technology bolt-ons, software commercialisation and development kits, artificial intelligence, data protection and technology strategy and management plans.

Alastair Mitton, technology partner at WBD, commented:

"We're delighted to welcome Sheilah to our well established technology practice. Her specialist experience in a range of sectors in the UK and abroad, as well as her track record advising in the maritime and defence sectors complements the broader team very well and adds to the support available to our clients in what continues to be a fast evolving area."

Sheilah added:

"WBD has an impressive client portfolio which presents many opportunities to get involved in exciting and high profile projects. I am really looking forward to working with the team in the UK and US and grow the firm's footprint in the technology sector here in the South East."

Ranking in the UK's top 20 law firms and with a highly ranked information technology practice in legal directories, WBD provides legal expertise across a range of sectors. These include technology, financial institutions, insurance, public & government services, energy & natural resources, healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, retail & consumer, transport, logistics & infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology & life sciences and private wealth.