Project Description
Toptrack Learning
Toptrack Learning is an educational software publisher.
Since moving from London to Exeter in 2010, they have asked Ed Probert to handle all their contracts with blue chip publishing partners such as Oxford University Press, as well as with their authors and re-sellers.
Managing Director Justin Sycamore says: “As a specialist software company, we need a lawyer who understands technology as well as the nuances of our own business. Ed matches the bill perfectly. He has a total grasp of our business.”
Justin continues: “Because Ed understands our business so well, it means we can work extremely closely together. For example, where it makes sense, I can make some input on the legal contracts myself, perhaps with first drafts of agreements for example, then ask for Ed’s perspective. This saves time and therefore money. In my experience, this degree of flexibility and joint working is quite unusual in a software lawyer. It feels like we are all working closely together as one team the whole time.
“Ed has a real knack for always getting to the point. He has an uncanny ability to cut through issues and identify those elements that are most important for the business. Again, this saves everyone time. He will not necessarily haggle about every last point and hang out for the contract that you might want in some ideal world, as some commercial lawyers do. He has the experience and wisdom to focus on the areas that are most important to the business. He also understands that these contracts are with our partners and that they must work for both sides. You always get the impression he has thought everything through thoroughly before he responds to any point – and he takes into account the bigger picture as well as the small details.
“Toptrack Learning is based on a fairly recent business model – online subscription for software. Ed has a total understanding of the latest online business trends and the impact on our business. So he is able to reflect that in the way he approaches his work as our software lawyer.
“The other area where Ed really stands out is that he has an innate ability to understand other people and pitch everything accordingly. For example, he completely understands my own level of knowledge and my strengths and weaknesses. The combination of understanding technology, understanding business and understanding the best way to work with each individual is an extraordinary combination.”