Nick Johnson

Nick is our International Head of Tech, Media & Comms. He is an advertising and marketing law specialist and also regularly advises on data protection, online regulatory and gambling issues.
He leads Osborne Clarke’s dedicated ad law team. Directories Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners consistently identify Nick as a leading individual for advertising law, and Legal 500 also cites him for gambling advice. He is listed in Super Lawyers for Technology, Media and Communications work.
His practice covers a wide range of advertising-related issues, including handling ASA cases, advising on agency/client agreements, copy advice, prize promotions, pricing claims, sponsorship arrangements, talent agreements, comparative advertising, branded content, media/agency deals, ambush marketing, regulatory lobbying, advertiser compliance review processes, data protection law compliance, social media, behavioural advertising and adtech/programmatic buying issues.
Much of his work is for digital/media clients, but he also regularly advises brands in other sectors, including food and drink, automotive, financial services, retail, leisure, consumer goods and luxury brands.
Nick joined Osborne Clarke as a trainee in 1994 and became a partner at the firm in 2001; alongside his day job, Nick is also a member of the UK’s Advertising Law Group and on the editorial board of E-Commerce Law and Policy. Nick is a regular contributor to specialist marketinglaw blog, which he co-founded.
Advised in relation to advertising and online regulatory issues in UK and Europe.
Advised on all aspects of its sponsorship of, and media rights relating to, the high-profile BT London Live concerts
Advised in relation to various trade
mark oppositions in the UK trade
mark registry and at OHIM
Advised on the anti-ambush marketing legislation put in place for London 2012 in relation to various promotional activities during the torch relay
The draft HFSS advertising restrictions are a roll-back from a total ban but may still present challenges for food advertisers
The Queen's Speech has confirmed plans for new restrictions in the UK on foods that are high in fat, salt...
Broadly applicable ICO code presents a significant practical challenge to online services and is unlikely to be just 'one of...
New UK and EU laws reboot the eCommerce Directive, update rules relating to online illegal and harmful content and boost...
Regulator's tough stance means that even implicit references to Covid-19 in food advertising will be construed as a medicinal claim...
The ICO has issued DSG Retail Limited, the owner of Currys PC World and Dixons Travel stores, with a sizeable...
In last week's fine against the owner of Currys PC World and Dixons Travel, the ICO set out the minimum...