Julia Seary

Julia is a Corporate and Commercial Partner who joined Roythornes in 2014, following a distinguished career as General Counsel in both a large international travel retail PLC and a privately owned financial services business.

With extensive experience in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and commercial strategy, Julia is recognised for her pragmatic, risk-based approach and highly personable client engagement.

Agriculture & Commercial Expertise
Julia is a key legal advisor in the agriculture sector, representing prominent clients and navigating the complexities of commercial and corporate issues within the industry. Recent examples of her work include:

• Leading the legal team on Frontier Agriculture’s investment in Europe’s largest oat-processing facility, advising on ongoing commercial arrangements with oat suppliers and customers.
• Acting for AC Goatham & Son in negotiating a long-term supply agreement with Aldi supermarkets, securing Aldi’s £750 million investment in Goatham’s 200-acre apple orchard expansion.
• Advising a large frozen food producer on its procurement and supply chain arrangements with a supermarket retailer.
• Supporting a large UK poultry processor with procurement and grower agreements, strengthening their supply chain and commercial agreements.
• Acting for a major UK beef supplier in negotiating breeding and rearing contracts with farmers, as well as their supply agreements with a leading supermarket chain.
• Assisting a UK national drinks company with complex brand and product licensing arrangements with third-party distributors.
• Advising on renewable energy projects, including joint ventures, feedstock, and offtake agreements for farmers and commercial organisations.
• Providing governance and regulatory compliance support to various agricultural Trade Associations, including the National Sheep Association, Crop Protection Association, and Countryside Alliance.

Commercial & Corporate Specialisms
Julia’s expertise covers a broad range of corporate and commercial areas:

• Drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts, including agency, distribution, franchising, and manufacturing agreements.
• Supporting businesses in protecting intellectual property and brand assets through IP licensing and brand protection strategies.
• Advising on procurement, outsourcing, consultancy, and IT projects, including development, hosting, and software licensing.
• Handling joint ventures, shareholder agreements, investment arrangements, and share option schemes (including EMI schemes).
• Advising businesses on corporate governance, directors’ duties, and regulatory compliance, particularly in data protection under GDPR and the Data Protection Act.