Gareth Stokes

AI and Data

• Advising the world's largest online retailer on various aspects of its artificial intelligence strategy, and its responses to various legislative consultations.
• Advising a global pharmaceutical company on its 'digital garage' function for identifying and investing in early stage AI projects and tech-driven programmes.
• Advising a global pharmaceutical company on projects related to a combination wearable medical device and AI-powered app for managing diabetes.
• Advising a leading US-headquartered electronic and semiconductor IP company on EU AI Act compliance, including assessing the regulatory classification of AI use cases and coordinating cross-border approaches with US counsel to support the development and deployment of AI systems caught by the regulation.
• Advising an AI systems developer on structuring a complex, multi-party commercial alliance, including IP co-development and licensing, data use and revenue-sharing frameworks, and embedded AI and data compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Advising an industrial technology organisation on the design and implementation of an enterprise-wide AI governance framework, including AI usage policies, governance structures and regulatory alignment to support the responsible adoption of AI across the business.
• Advising an AI technology company on the development of customer-facing API contracts, supporting both research and commercial use cases and addressing IP, data use and regulatory considerations for the deployment of large-scale AI models.

Technology Outsourcing and Strategic Sourcing

• Advising a high-tech consumer electronics company on various global outsourcing projects, including the outsourcing of finance and accounting, indirect procurement, IT service desk, infrastructure and application development services.
• Advising a major European bank on various business-critical ITO and BPO deals, including the outsourcing of its hosting and storage, networks and security operations functions. In each case the projects involved working with the bank team to design suitable legal and commercial models, and running multi-bidder procurements.
• Advising a global insurance and financial services organisation on the legal, commercial and European regulatory aspects of the outsourcing of various of its IT and back office functions.
• Advising various major UK high-street banks on a wide range of IT and sourcing issues, including complex trust arrangements in the context of the outsourcing of card processing for co-branded credit cards.
• Advising a major financial services institution on the strategic renegotiation of a mission-critical cybersecurity outsourcing arrangement, including the redesign of security operations services, updated service levels and governance frameworks within an existing technology outsourcing structure.
• Advising a major global pharmaceutical company on a wide range of ITO, BPO and brand disposal activities (manufacturing lines, regulatory consents, IP portfolios).

Connected Technology and Cross-Border

• Advising a leading British automotive manufacturer on cross-border technology and data privacy compliance, coordinating local law advice across 12 jurisdictions to support the global rollout of connected vehicle systems and in-car technologies.
• Advising a high-profile global electric vehicle manufacturer on various aspects of its European sales and service operations.
• Advising an energy sector organisation on the negotiation of a critical software licence and services agreement, supporting the deployment of a decision-support tool for use in system restoration scenarios and the resilience of complex operational infrastructure.

Chambers UK 2026 (Information Technology, Band 1)

• "Gareth proactively looks for ways to drive value for our business."
• "Gareth stands out through his consistently high standard of service, sharp commercial awareness and forward-looking vision."

The Legal 500 2026 (Artificial Intelligence, London)

• "What makes DLA Piper's technology and AI practice truly stand out is the rare combination of deep legal and regulatory knowledge with a consistently commercial, open, and collaborative approach. Gareth Stokes and Michael Stead, in particular, exemplify this."
• "Gareth's strategic insight into the evolving regulatory landscape around AI, combined with his pragmatic approach, has made him a trusted adviser on high-impact decisions."

The Legal 500 2026 (IT and Telecoms, West Midlands — Leading Partner)

• "Gareth Stokes and his team stand out as true leaders in the field of AI governance and compliance. Their proactive and forward-thinking approach has been instrumental in helping us navigate the complexities of emerging AI regulations, particularly in aligning with the EU AI Act and other global frameworks."
• "Beyond their technical skills, Gareth Stokes and Michael Stead are both exceptional advisors. They are highly responsive, commercially astute, and committed to delivering practical solutions rather than just theoretical advice."

Chambers UK 2025 (Information Technology, Band 1)

• "He is dedicated to staying at the forefront of technological advancement and, coupled with his sharp legal acumen, he clearly can deal with the most challenging legal issues."
• "Gareth's commercial awareness and general understanding of how his clients operate is second to none."

The Legal 500 2025 (IT and Telecoms, West Midlands — Leading Partner)

• "Gareth Stokes leads experienced teams that are highly responsive, strong in their negotiation skills and with a keen ability to understand and advise on technical issues."

The Legal 500 2025 (Artificial Intelligence, London — New Entry)

• "Gareth Stokes is a stand-out supporter of our business. He is both equally knowledgeable and pragmatic."

Chambers UK 2024 (Information Technology, Band 2)

• "Gareth is a well-rounded adviser with superb technical knowledge of the tech sector. He's a brilliant sounding board and offers targeted advice in an accessible manner."
• "He is a trusted adviser and he consistently demonstrates an ability to blend technical legal advice with commercial pragmatism."

The Legal 500 2024 (IT and Telecoms, West Midlands)

• "Gareth Stokes and Michael Stead are both very easy to do business with."

Additional Rankings

• Chambers UK 2022–2023, Information Technology (Band 2)
• The Legal 500 2022–2023, IT and Telecoms, West Midlands
• The Legal 500 2022–2026, Intellectual Property, West Midlands
• The Legal 500 2022–2026, Corporate and Commercial, Birmingham
• Acritas Star Lawyer 2017

• Society of Computers and Law
• Midlands Aerospace Alliance