Julian Harris
Recognised as a leading expert in national and international Gaming and Licensing law Julian Harris is highly regarded by both operators and regulators throughout the world.

Julian is recommended in all guides to the legal profession and is described by Chambers Guide to the legal profession as "Astute" and "Never misses a trick" and in their 2007 guide "highly regarded and deeply experienced" adviser and remains one of the country’s leading figures in gambling law.

With over 20 years experience of gambling law Julian has advised some of the world’s largest gaming corporations and trade associations such as the British Casino Association and the Casino Operators Association. He has also represented the Gaming Board for Great Britain.

Julian is an experienced advocate, a respected and sought after conference speaker and the author of numerous articles for gaming and legal publications. For 20 years he has been a member and Trustee of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys, a member the RGA and the European Forum for the Study of Gambling.

Chambers Guide 2006 had said: “Clients value Julian Harris’s long relationship and history with the Gaming Board, stating that he has “a great deal of experience and excellent contacts".

John Hagan
John Hagan is an expert in all aspects of gambling law. He and Julian are the founder partners of Harris Hagan, the first UK law firm specialising in legal services to the gambling and leisure industries. He advises clients worldwide on gambling in the UK and in European jurisdictions.

In recent years John has become internationally respected for his expertise on internet gambling. He has advised major casino operators on all issues relating to online gambling, including establishing operations in the UK and in offshore jurisdictions and advising on advertising issues. He has also advised extensively on online betting issues, including the legality of certain fixed odds "games".

Chambers Guide 2007 says John is "popular with clients because of the lengths to which he goes to understand their specific needs, especially in the internet gaming and betting sector".

John is an experienced advocate, a frequent and respected conference speaker and a regular contributor of articles to national and international gambling publications.

In 2006 Chambers described him as: “John Hagan is also well-liked by clients who describe him as ‘ charming and extraordinarily personable' ”.

Elizabeth Southorn
Elizabeth specialises in all aspects of law and practice relating to betting, gaming, liquor licensing, late night entertainment licensing and internet gaming. She acts for major players in all these fields and has 20 years’ experience, having been involved in many of the landmark cases in this country.

She is a regular speaker at seminars and on radio and an active member of BISL, sitting on the working parties for both gaming and liquor. She is also a fellow of the Society of Licensing Practitioners and is recognised as a leading licensing lawyer in all the major directories.

On liquor and entertainment licensing, Liz and her colleagues can deal with all of these issues: New premises licences, variation of premises licences, transfer of premises licences, variation of designated premises supervisor, provisional statements for proposed developments, club premises certificates, temporary event notices, personal licences and advice on all aspects of liquor and entertainment law. On betting and gaming, Liz and her team deal with: Bookmakers' permits, new betting office licences, objections to new betting office licences and advice on all aspects of betting and bookmaking law.

Chambers Guides have said of Elizabeth (in 2007): “Through a combination of sheer intelligence and application, Elizabeth Southorn has made herself a leader in the liquor licensing field", (and previously) "a formidable lawyer who knows the facts and delivers” and “Clients admire Elizabeth Southorn for her comprehensive knowledge of the sector, highlighted through her regular appearances at both seminars and on the radio”.

David Stevens
David is a consultant to the firm specialising in all aspects of corporate work.

David offers a wide range of corporate legal services particularly in the field of mergers and acquisition, having had extensive experience internationally as General Counsel to a number of blue chip corporations. David has handled billion dollar transactions in the Europe, USA the Far East and Australia notably for SmithKline Beecham, WPP Group, Forte and BTR. He was a key member of the team that sold SmithKline Beecham’s personal care and veterinary businesses and bought Sterling Health and Diversified Pharmaceuticals. He was also one of the five man team that defended Forte from the hostile takeover from Granada which while ultimately unsuccessful saw the share price go from £2.75 prior the bid to £4 when the offer went unconditional. At BTR David managed the sale of businesses valued in excess of £5 billion.

David has also lived and worked in the United States during the course of his legal career.


Joanna Brown
Jo Brown graduated from Bristol University and Nottingham Law School, and then qualified as a Solicitor with Pinsent Masons, where she first worked with Julian Harris and John Hagan in their gambling law team. She moved with Julian and John as Harris Hagan was created in May 2004. She has developed expertise in dealing with all aspects of the gaming world, such as-: acting on casino licence applications in London and elsewhere; gaming licence renewals-(including advocacy)-and interactive gaming licence applications in offshore jurisdictions; regulatory aspects of the sale and supply of gaming machines; bookmakers permit applications and registrations as a pool promoter; betting office licensing; land-based and offshore poker games and tournaments; advertising laws and regulations relating to offshore gaming and betting; pool betting and fantasy sports; lotteries and prize competitions; Gambling Act 2005 and transitional arrangements; and ‘due diligence’ on the licensing aspects of corporate acquisitions. Jo has already acquired a deservedly high reputation for her abilities in acting for large international and UK listed companies, private companies and individuals.