Michelle Rule
Legal Director
Corporate, Commercial & Finance
+44 20 3206 2856
Email Michelle
michelle.rule@smb.london
LinkedIn
Michelle is a Legal Director in the Technology, Corporate & Commercial teams.
She is a specialist commercial lawyer and advises clients on day-to-day business issues, with a focus on advising, drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial, technology and intellectual property contracts, including software agreements, terms of business and supply of goods and services agreements as well as advising organisations on data protection considerations and compliance.
Michelle joined the firm in 2021 following periods working in private practice and in-house for a renewable energy developer. Michelle retrained as a solicitor in 2008, following 12 years working in digital media and technology businesses as a product manager and IT director.
Practice areas
Insights featuring Michelle
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27th March 2025The Online Safety Act: What Digital Providers Must Do to Stay Compliant in 2025
The Online Safety Act (OSA) establishes a broad regulatory framework for providers of user-to-user services and search services with links to the UK. Service providers that fail to comply with the OSA face serious financial and legal consequences. Notably, Ofcom has the authority to impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue, making non-compliance a significant risk for digital businesses.
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26th February 2025AI needs data, creatives need protection – can the UK balance both?
After ten weeks, the UK government’s consultation on copyright and artificial intelligence (AI) closed last night. Launched on 17 December 2024, the consultation invited input from creatives, AI companies, and industry stakeholders alike, reflecting the government’s ongoing efforts in “supporting the growth of the creative industries and AI sectors while recognising the value of human-centred activity.
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16th January 2025The CMA granted significant fining and enforcement powers for breaches of consumer law
The UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (the “Act”) received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024, and expands the protections afforded to consumers, in particular by overhauling and expanding the list of unfair commercial practices, and by introducing much more regulation around subscription contracts.
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News featuring Michelle
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1st April 2025
SMB announces 2025 promotions
SMB is pleased to share a roster of new promotions across several practice areas within the firm. Congratulations to our newest Partners and Legal Director.
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4th February 2025
EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act – first measures to take effect from 2nd February 2025
The EU is taking a hard line on its approach to regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) compared to international peers, including the UK. The EU’s first wave of AI activity bans are due to come into force on 02 February 2025.
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9th December 2024 Corporate, Commercial & Finance, Employment & Immigration
SMB acts for founders of employee benefits specialists Drewberry Limited sale to global insurance leader Brown & Brown
Simons Muirhead Burton is pleased to have acted for founders of employee benefits specialists Drewberry Limited on their sale to global insurance leader Brown & Brown.
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