Amy Ralston is an Associate in Stephens Scown’s Intellectual Property, Data Protection and Technology team, with a practice that spans the full innovation cycle – from identification through to protection and commercialisation.

She read law at the University of Exeter and qualified in 2020 after training at Stephens Scown and is passionate about helping clients seize opportunities, navigate emerging technologies and build resilient future-proof legal frameworks.

Amy is a Legal 500 recommended lawyer and recognised thought leader in the influencer and tech law space. Amy has delivered speaking slots at the Influencer Marketing Show in London and Influencer360 in Brighton, as well as chairing the Business Theatre at the Care Show in Birmingham. Amy was named as a Rising Star in Insider’s magazine’s Future Leaders list and featured in #TalkingInfluence50.

Her work includes advising clients across a range of sectors such as:

• Technology – Amy heads up the firm’s technology offering, advising technology businesses on IP strategy and commercialisation of the technology and advising non-technology businesses on procurement of technology and IT contracts. Amy is the voluntary Chair of Digital Somerset CIC.
• Artificial Intelligence – including legal frameworks for generative AI and AI governance policies for workforces. Amy frequently provides training and talks on the legal need to knows of AI and is a key member of the firm’s AI Panel. Amy leads on the AI readiness packages for businesses to assess their readiness for AI and to take crucial steps to implement AI safely in the workforce.
• IP strategy and commercialisation – helping businesses safeguard and unlock the value from their intellectual property through audits, licensing and strategic partnerships. Amy heads up the IP Audit offering at the firm, working closely with innovation advisors to help businesses identify any gaps and any remedial work required to safeguard intellectual property rights. Amy also advises purchasers and sellers of IP assets, including social media accounts.
• Influencers, talent management and brand endorsement – guiding brands, talent agencies and creators through the legal and reputational risks of influencer marketing, with a focus on compliance, image rights and contract structuring. Amy frequently provides training to talent agencies and brands on the do’s and don’ts of influencer marketing and commercial contract need to knows.

Amy’s commercial work includes drafting and negotiating:

• SaaS and software development agreements
• Software licenses
• IP licenses and assignments
• Collaboration and contribution agreements
• Talent management contracts
• Brand contracts
• NDAs
• University spin-out IP agreements
• IP clauses in corporate documents or transactions

Outside of work, Amy runs a hobby Instagram account promoting things to do in Devon and enjoys running, yoga, walking and raising money for Cancer Research UK.