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  1. Intellectual property
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‘First-rate’ IP firm Bird & Bird handles the full range of contentious and transactional matters, and is particularly strong in litigation. Highlights included advising the UK Media Monitoring Association regarding a Copyright Tribunal dispute, and Associated Newspapers on contentious trade mark issues. It also represents Nokia in patent infringement actions across the EU. Other clients include Teva, Air Canada and LG Electronics. Litigators Morag Macdonald and Katharine Stephens co-head the practice. Trevor Cook’s ‘unparalleled understanding of IP matters allows him to provide uniquely clear advice on technically and legally challenging issues’; Mark Heaney is ‘a master of the issues, facts, evidence and strategy in complex bet-the-company patent litigation’; and Lorna Brazell gives ‘pragmatic, no-holds-barred advice’.

Bristows is ‘a very user-friendly firm that provides strategic and tactical advice on IP’, and is highly recommended for patent litigation, including the co-ordination of cross-border disputes. Myles Jelf, who ‘balances an appreciation of complex technical issues with strategic direction on wider legal questions’, led for Samsung in the smart phone litigation against Apple. Other recent matters include acting for L’Oréal in a trade mark dispute with eBay, and for SAS Institute in a software copyright case. Practice head Edward Nodder ‘gives the senior view and strategic advice’; Matthew Warren is ‘a sharp lawyer for identifying potential issues and finding solutions’; and Fiona Nicolson is ‘exceedingly knowledgeable’. James Boon has the ‘rare ability to handle the detail, while keeping a firm grasp on the big picture’, and Brian Cordery and associate Laura Reynolds are also recommended.

Herbert Smith LLP’s ‘very strategic and authoritative’ practice head Mark Shillito handles patent and trade mark disputes. Sophie Rich leads on life sciences matters, and Sebastian Moore, who provides ‘valuable advice’ in pharmaceutical patent litigation, recently represented Roche in High Court proceedings. Nick Gardner is now a consultant at the firm. Other clients include Abbott Laboratories, Eisai, Rockwool and Chevron.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is ‘simply first class at managing multi-jurisdictional litigation’, particularly patent disputes. Stephen Bennett is ‘an innovative, strategic thinker who is great at complex IP matters’, and has ‘a refreshingly down-to-earth, practical style’. He acted in life sciences and telecoms disputes for clients such as Merck and HTC. Adam Cooke provides ‘succinct and sound IP advice’ on cross-border matters. Paul Brown, who is ‘technically impressive, and is developing a good hi-tech patent practice’, was recently promoted to partner, as was Daniel Brook, who has ‘a very bright future, and fights his client’s corner hard’. David Latham represented Mattel in a cross-border trade mark dispute regarding its Scrabble game brand.

Olswang is highly recommended for its soft IP expertise. ‘The first port of call for any heavyweight copyright or trade mark litigation in the UK’, Paul Stevens defended Microsoft in a trade mark claim brought against its Bing search engine brand name, and is also acting for Yahoo! in a dispute over copyright protection claims in professional football fixture lists. Stephen Reese advised Vectura Group on a global licensing deal with Sandoz. Michael Burdon focuses on patent litigation, and Robert Stephen leads the in-house patent attorney team.

IP boutique Powell Gilbert LLP is ‘one of the best’ for patent litigation matters, handling leading matters across life sciences, technology and telecoms. Its team of ‘first-class individuals’ is particularly good at co-ordinating cross-border disputes. Recent work includes representing Human Genome Sciences in the Supreme Court’s first decision in a patent case, and acting for HTC in litigation against Apple. It also represented GSK in a trade mark and copyright infringement action against Coca-Cola. Penny Gilbert is ‘absolutely excellent’, and has ‘great experience in pharma and biotech cases’; Tim Powell ‘knows cases inside out’, and has ‘an outstanding ability to grasp and explain complicated matters’; Ari Laakkonen is ‘very intelligent, with an enormous knowledge of the telecoms market and technology’; and Simon Ayrton gives ‘impressive and thoughtful advice on patent and trade mark matters’.

Simmons & Simmons LLP’s Richard Binns handles commercial IP matters, while Rowan Freeland focuses on life sciences patent disputes, recently representing Cephalon in UK proceedings against Mylan and Orchid. Marc Döring successfully acted for Bayer in an appeal brought by Gedeon Richter. The team is highly recommended for soft IP matters, with David Stone – ‘an expert on design-related matters’ – giving ‘unwavering commitment to client service’. Stone is representing Coca-Cola in High Court proceedings, and assisting Samsung in a dispute with Apple regarding its Galaxy products. Other clients include Eli Lilly, British American Tobacco and Capita.

Noted for its ‘great out-of-the-box thinking’ on IP matters, the team at Taylor Wessing LLP gives ‘advice that combines legal theory with a sound business commercial focus’. Simon Cohen leads the patents group, which acted for Ericsson in litigation against ZTE, and defended Teva in a dispute brought by Warner-Lambert. It also advised Agilent Technologies and F-star on commercial matters. Roland Mallinson has ‘outstanding IP knowledge, especially on trade mark law’, and recently advised a household name client in a colour trade mark dispute. Patent litigator Chris Thornham is ‘an incredibly thorough and thoughtful lawyer’, and senior counsel Timothy Pinto is ‘an excellent strategic thinker who ensures that issues are considered from every angle’.

Wragge & Co LLP’s Paul Inman is ‘exceptional in biotech and pharmaceutical patent litigation, and will stop at nothing to do the best for his client’, and successfully acted for Lundbeck in a High Court patent dispute against Norpharma and Infosint. Alexandra Brodie represented Hasbro in its Play-Doh trademark dispute win. Patrick Duxbury handles commercial IP licensing matters for the life sciences sector. IP litigator David Barron is also recommended.

Allen & Overy LLP is recommended for patent litigation, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. ‘Very creative and tenacious’ IP litigation head Nicola Dagg and Huw Evans, who gives ‘succinct and sound IP advice’, together defended Novartis in a cross-border dispute with MedImmune regarding the Lucentis drug. Neville Cordell is ‘an expert litigator, with a strong knowledge of IP law, which he applies to cases in a highly commercial manner’. Cordell assisted eBay in a trade mark dispute with L’Oréal involving keyword advertising issues. Jim Ford advised Biomet on licensing arrangements.

Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP’s core strength lies in IP litigation. David Perkins and Christopher Stothers represented Danisco in UK patent dispute proceedings against Novozymes. Ian Kirby represented PlentyofFish Media in a Court of Appeal trade mark case. Other clients include GlaxoSmithKline, Vlingo Corporation and Philip Morris.

Baker & McKenzie LLP focuses on soft IP and transactional matters, and acts for global brand names such as Google, Sony, Pfizer and Cargill. Michael Hart and Ben Allgrove represented Meltwater in the appeal of a copyright case against the Newspaper Licensing Agency. Allgrove also advises digital media and new technology companies on IP licensing arrangements. Stephen Jones handles patent and trade mark matters.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s global IP head Simon Levine is ‘a lateral thinker who simplifies the complex for clients’. IP litigator Ruth Hoy is ‘a highly competent technical lawyer’ on copyright and trade mark issues. The team acted for various football associations in a copyright litigation matter which involved CJEU and High Court hearings, and also advises clients such as Blackstone, Philip Morris and Virgin Atlantic Airways on commercial IP and patent matters. Bonella Ramsey co-chairs the life sciences group.

Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP focuses on the life sciences and hi-tech sectors, with key clients including ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Mastercard International, and a leading online retailer. Nicholas Bolter has particular expertise in trade mark issues. Ben Goodger focuses on commercial matters. Practice head John Olsen is ‘extremely good and highly experienced’ in trade mark and community design matters. The firm hired Richard Graham, who ‘shows great awareness of the e-commerce industry’, and IP litigator Akash Sachdeva, who provides ‘very commercial advice’; they joined from Bird & Bird and Allen & Overy LLP respectively.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is recommended for contentious trade mark and other soft IP matters. Nick Rose and Allan Poulter provide a no-nonsense service, and recently acted for Google in a keyword advertising dispute. Mark Holah, Rebecca Swindells and Leighton Cassidy are also recommended for trade mark work. Mark Hodgson handles life sciences disputes.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP’s strength lies in advising media, entertainment and technology sector clients on copyright and trade mark matters. Practice head Mark Owen continued to represent Lucasfilm in its Star Wars copyright case, which was heard at the Supreme Court. Shireen Peermohamed’s clients include Orange, Virgin Group and Ben Sherman.

Linklaters LLP handles transactional and contentious IP matters, with clients including Shire Pharmaceuticals, RBS, Sanrio and Visa Europe. Practice head Ian Karet is ‘very sharp and very clever, but also a very good listener’, and recently advised Intel on patent matters, as well as acting for William Hill in an appeal concerning an online trade mark dispute with 32Red. Benedict Bird focuses on trade mark matters, and Nigel Jones handles patent litigation and commercial work for the healthcare sector.

Marks & Clerk Solicitors LLP’s ‘high-quality’ patent litigation offering benefits from its associated patent and trade mark attorney firm. William Cook, who gives ‘solid legal advice based on a thoughtful, logical application of the law’, successfully acted for Virgin Media against Gemstar, including at appeal. Mike Gilbert acted for MedImmune and Genentech in High Court actions. Mark Blair and Kirsten Gilbert continued to represent Budejovický Budvar in a dispute regarding the Budweiser mark, which reached a favourable appeal hearing. The firm also handles commercial matters for LiDCO and Light Blue Optics. Newly promoted partner Michael Moore is also recommended.

Mishcon de Reya acts for media, entertainment, technology and life sciences clients, and is particularly recommended for anti-counterfeiting matters, an area in which Jeremy Hertzog recently advised Pfizer. Simon Tracey represented the rights owner of musician Lady Gaga in a trade mark action against the owners of online game Moshi Monsters, which created a character called Lady Goo Goo. Adam Morallee acted for Gucci in a design right dispute.

RPC’s key strength is in trade marks, where it has recently handled cross-border and High Court litigation, and it continues to expand its patents expertise. The group also successfully defended Bloomsbury Publishing against a copyright infringement claim regarding the Harry Potter series. Jeremy Drew and David Cran handle contentious and commercial matters. Clive Thorne has ‘a wealth of experience in IP’, and successfully represented Apimed in a patent infringement appeal.

Redd maintains a strong reputation, and provides ‘pragmatic, commercial and creative advice’, particularly for SME clients. IP litigator Sara Ashby has notable expertise in patent and design rights; Simon Chalkley leads on commercial matters; Charters Macdonald-Brown is a highly experienced general IP litigator; and trade mark expert Anna Carboni recently represented Microsoft in a High Court dispute brought by BSkyB. Associate John Colbourn is ‘developing into a great all-rounder’.

Rouse Legal’s Jeremy Newman and Arty Rajendra handle soft IP matters, and recently represented Nokia in an anti-counterfeiting dispute, which reached both ECJ and Court of Appeal hearings. Diana Sternfeld acted for Merck Sharp & Dohme in appealing a patent revocation decision regarding a glaucoma drug. Richard Willoughby is recommended for patent litigation across various sectors.

SJ Berwin LLP has wide-ranging capabilities. It handled patent litigation for Ranbaxy, and is acting for a major broadcaster in trade mark infringement proceedings. Other clients include Sanofi-Aventis, BSkyB, Nintendo and Ladbrokes. Ray Black is an experienced IP litigator; Jeremy Schrire focuses on commercial matters; and David Rose leads the team.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s IP team demonstrates a ‘depth of expertise’ in design, copyright and trade mark matters. Practice head Simon Clark provides ‘excellent strategic judgement and insight’, and successfully represented the Newspaper Licensing Agency in a copyright dispute with Meltwater in the High Court and Court of Appeal. The ‘insightful, knowledgeable’ Ian de Freitas focuses on the technology sector.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP acts for clients across the life sciences, consumer goods and hi-tech industries. Tom Scourfield recently acted for Nestlé in High Court litigation regarding the validity of shape marks. Team head Nick Beckett focuses on life sciences patent litigation; Susan Barty advises on technology matters; and Jeremy Morton handles a broad range of contentious work.

Charles Russell LLP has recently handled some significant contentious matters alongside its transactional work, and also has a trade mark filing practice, led by Kate O’Rourke. Ian Wood has been representing Mölnlycke and Sandvik in patent disputes. Patrick Gearon acted for the claimant in MMI Research v cellXion, and represented Nike in OHIM oppositions. Mary Bagnall advised Cadbury in defending opposition proceedings regarding protection for its purple colour trade mark.

Covington & Burling LLP provides ‘consistently solid advice’ on IP protection, licensing and enforcement matters, particularly regarding online technology and life sciences. Practice head Lisa Peets is advising Business Software Alliance on proposals regarding UK copyright legislation reform. Of counsel Morag Peberdy has both transactional and contentious experience.

D Young & Co LLP ‘surpasses expectations’ on contentious IP work, fielding an in-house team of IP attorneys and solicitors. Ian Starr is ‘a seasoned IP litigator of the highest calibre’, whose ‘advice on contentious and strategic issues is first class’. He and ‘rising star’ Tamsin Holman are representing Winning Moves in a dispute with The FA Premier League regarding the use of footballer images on its Top Trumps card game. Other clients include Rolex, PepsiCo and Johnson & Johnson. Associate Cam Gatta is ‘a font of knowledge on copyright issues’.

Lewis Silkin LLP advises brand owner clients such as Lush Cosmetics, Reckitt Benckiser, Aston Martin and Omnicom. The team has recently acted in a number of online technology infringement disputes, and practice head Giles Crown acted for the AA in a design invalidity application appeal. Simon Chapman has experience in disputes and internet enforcement.

Macfarlanes LLP focuses on soft IP matters for the consumer goods sector, with clients including Umbro, Pernod Ricard and Yoplait. Geoff Steward handled a number of high-profile trade mark disputes, including defending 1Malaysia Racing in a case against Group Lotus and acting for Anheuser-Busch in a trade mark revocation claim against Budejovický Budvar. Rupert Casey handles licensing matters.

McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP’s Hiroshi Sheraton, who focuses on the life sciences sector, recently advised Novartis in cross-border patent disputes and co-led with Rohan Massey on the successful representation of the claimant in 32Red v William Hill. Sheraton has also been working as part of a cross-office team on shape trade mark issues, while Massey focuses on commercial IP matters. Gary Moss moved to EIP.

Norton Rose LLP is ‘highly attuned to a client’s business and needs’, and acts for ICAP, Visa Europe, RBS, and Orange, among others. Mike Knapper handles commercial and transactional matters, and ‘thinks of real solutions that will work’. Jonathan Ball handles trade mark disputes, and also represented Brightpoint in telecoms patent litigation against IPCom.

Osborne Clarke’s Theo Savvides continued to defend Marks and Spencer plc in a Google AdWords trade mark infringement claim brought by Interflora, and also advised Biome on patent litigation and transactional matters. Other highlights included advising Nintendo on licensing arrangements, and assisting Expedia with pan-European copyright and trade mark issues.

The lawyers at Penningtons Solicitors LLP ‘actively advise, rather than just process, and have real international capacity’. The team handles soft IP protection and enforcement issues, including matters involving colour marks, licensing and online infringement. Clients include Prudential Health Services and Levi Roots Reggae Reggae Foods. Anna Frankum is ‘very experienced, totally pragmatic, and highly efficient’.

Pinsent Masons LLP focuses on the retail and financial service sectors. Iain Connor continued to represent Interflora in its Google AdWords dispute with Marks and Spencer plc. Kim Walker handles non-contentious matters. Practice head Catrin Turner has ‘an authoritative manner and a very practical approach to IP problem-solving’. Senior associate Helyn Mensah joined from New Square Chambers.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers Legal LLP provides ‘personalised, direct and responsive legal advice’ on transactional and contentious IP matters. Latika Sharma has ‘inspirational client-handling skills’; and Jonathan Nugent is ‘pragmatic, commercially relevant, and very personable’.

Reed Smith maintains its media sector focus but also advises clients in the life sciences and financial services industries on soft IP matters. The team is ‘helpful in laying out the landscape of European and international IP law’. Michael Skrein ‘adopts a very careful, tactical approach to negotiations’ relating to disputes. Carolyn Pepper advises Bauer Media on contentious and transactional matters, and Emma Lenthall has particular expertise in Copyright Tribunal cases.

SNR Denton’s practice head John Linneker is highly rated for his commercial approach, and recently acted for Group Lotus in a high-profile trade mark dispute. Anthony Trenton is ‘very diligent and very focused, and an excellent technical lawyer’, particularly for patent litigation. The team represented Schütz in a patent infringement appeal case which has been referred to the Supreme Court.

Slaughter and May ‘delivers first-rate, commercially relevant advice’ on transactional IP matters. Susie Middlemiss, who is ‘extremely dedicated to her clients’, recently advised Speciality Fibres and Materials in the High Court case Convatec v Smith & Nephew. David Ives, on the commercial side, is ‘sharp and client focused’.

Squire Sanders LLP’s IP team is led by Carl Rohsler, ‘a distinguished and experienced litigator’ notable for his experience in online copyright matters. Global head of trade marks Chris McLeod leads the filing practice, which represents clients such as Panasonic and Formula One. Other key clients include Telegraph Media Group, Cath Kidston, easyJet, Smith & Nephew, and 888.com.

Wiggin LLP’s IP practice is ‘good for all-round media sector work’. Litigator Simon Baggs co-heads the team with Shaun Lowde, who is a ‘talented and technical’ commercial adviser. Solicitor Gurminder Panesar is ‘level headed, knowledgeable and clear sighted’, and leads on trade mark matters, an area in which the firm recently set up a filing practice. Highlights included advising the brand owner of Goal.com on licensing arrangements, and acting for various parties, including The FA Premier League, in the judicial review of the Digital Economy Act.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP focuses on advising retail and consumer goods clients. Nikki Powell, who joined from Edwin Coe LLP, recently advised the appellants in MMI Research v cellXion & anor. Practice head Monica Burch has experience in soft IP disputes, and Michael Lowry handles commercial work. Jamie Harrison now heads the Singapore office.

Ashurst focuses on transactional matters, for clients such as Ark Therapeutics and Autonomy. The ‘very proficient’ Dominic Batchelor recently advised DLR on trade mark licensing arrangements for the River Thames cable car project. Mark Lubbock heads the team.

Baker Botts (UK) LLP mainly handles soft IP matters, particularly contentious work. Consultant Peter Taylor’s clients include LEGO Group and Callaway Golf Company. Special counsel Neil Coulson joined from Jones Day, and ‘combines the rare mix of detailed legal knowledge, a practical, commercially minded approach, and significant experience’.

Blake Lapthorn advises media, arts and technology sector clients on commercial matters, particularly regarding copyright and digital media issues. Simon Stokes leads the team.

Briffa’s clients include fashion designers, brand owners and technology companies. Margaret Briffa leads the team, which handles design right, patent and trade mark work. Briffa continues to advise Furminator on its pan-European anti-counterfeiting programme. Attorney Aaron Wood heads the trade mark and brand protection practice.

Brown Rudnick LLP’s Richard Penfold advises on soft IP protection and infringement issues. The team also includes trade mark attorney Kirsten Doherty and new arrival Georgie Collins, who was formerly head of IP at Lawrence Graham LLP.

Clifford Chance’s Vanessa Marsland is ‘a trusted counsel’ on contentious and transactional trade mark and copyright issues. The practice also handles trade mark filing and opposition work.

Collyer Bristow LLP’s Joe Cohen and Patrick Wheeler advise on copyright and trade mark infringement matters for clients such as Omega Engineering and Timesource. Howard Ricklow handles non-contentious work. Annsley Ward is now with Allen & Overy LLP.

Davenport Lyons focuses on soft IP matters for media, sports and technology sector clients. Jim Dennis represented Shebang Technologies in a trade mark dispute with Google over its Nexus brand. The practice also advised the co-owner of ‘The Gherkin’ (The Swiss Re Tower, 30 St Mary Axe) on IP protection rights.

Dechert LLP’s IP practice is led by the ‘commercially astute’ Paul Kavanagh, who advises on cross-border contentious matters. Counsel Renzo Marchini is noted for his technical expertise, and acts on IP aspects of transactional matters.

Edwin Coe LLP’s Simon Miles handles a broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Highlights included acting for the claimant in the trade mark case Leofelis v Lonsdale, and advising Unisplay on IP protection and enforcement rights regarding LED technology products.

Eversheds LLP handles trade mark and patent matters, including transactional support, for clients including BAE Systems, DuPont, Coca-Cola and United Therapeutics. Practice head Neil Mohring advised Apple Corps on an OHIM appeal regarding an application for the word ‘beatle’.

Farrer & Co assists a range of publishing, cultural and education sector clients on IP protection, enforcement and litigation. Peter Wienand specialises in copyright and technology sector matters, while Anthony Misquitta handles contentious work.

Fasken Martineau LLP’s IP litigation head Ralph Cox has ‘a wealth of experience in pharmaceutical IP cases’, and recently acted for Omnipharm and Swarovski-Optik in actions to assert patents. Cox also handles soft IP disputes, while Allistair Booth advises on non-contentious matters.

Fox Williams LLP advises fashion, retail and technology sector clients on trade mark and design right matters, including disputes. Simon Bennett is ‘an IP specialist, and provides to-the-point advice’.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s Richard Lister focuses on transactional matters. Avril Martindale handles commercial work, and Justin Watts has acted for clients such as Johnson & Johnson in patent disputes.

Hansel Henson LLP is recommended for smaller and mid-market IP cases. Highlights included representing the defendant in Toth v Emirates, and achieving a favourable settlement for The Jersey Cow Company in a trade mark dispute filed by Cowshed Products. It advises Subway and Future Games of London on non-contentious matters. Name partners David Hansel and Tom Henson are both recommended.

Jones Day focuses on cross-border work, and acts for various multinationals. Alastair McCulloch covers a wide range of industry sector matters, including hi-tech patents. Neil Coulson joined Baker Botts (UK) LLP.

K&L Gates LLP’s Dominic Bray represents clients including Time Warner, AOL, WWE, and Novatel Wireless in contentious matters. Patent litigator Rebecca Halford-Harrison is ‘outstanding – inventive and bright’. Her clients include Neuralstem and Tate & Lyle. The practice also handles sports-related IP transactional work.

Kemp Little LLP’s Paul Garland is ‘a strong and measured lawyer who has built up a very capable team of IP lawyers’ to handle technology-related IP matters. Clients include SITA, the Financial Times Group, and McKesson.

Latham & Watkins LLP advises on transactional and contentious matters, with clients including Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, ConvaTec, Norgine and Orion Publishing. Laurence Cohen leads the team.

Lawrence Graham LLP’s Andrew Dobson and Jonathan Riley lead on contentious and non-contentious matters respectively. Clients include Canada Goose and Green Energy UK. Georgie Collins joined Brown Rudnick LLP.

Laytons’ Esther Gunaratnam handles IP licensing and protection matters. Russell Beard acts in trade mark, design right and copyright disputes.

At Manches LLP, contentious specialist Margaret Tofalides is ‘very client oriented and forward thinking, and has outstanding commercial and analytical skills’. Lesley Hall handles non-contentious work. Clients include the British Medical Association, Basilea Pharmaceutica, and Ferrexpo.

Mark Prinsley heads Mayer Brown International LLP’s team, in which Sarah Byrt handles commercial matters and Jonathan Radcliffe focuses on patent disputes. Sangeeta Puran continued to act as co-counsel to Sandvik in its litigation against Kennametal regarding a patent for an alumina-coated cutting tool. Other clients include Celtic Pharma, Sotheby’s and NSE India.

Nabarro LLP’s Guy Heath leads on trade mark matters for clients such as Levi Strauss and Twitter. The practice is increasingly handling IP licensing work, for clients including Enigma Diagnostics.

Speechly Bircham LLP’s Alexander Carter-Silk defended World Programming Limited in a copyright infringement case brought by SAS, obtaining a broadly favourable ECJ ruling.

Eifion Morris now heads Stephenson Harwood’s practice, following Lucy Harrold’s departure from legal practice, and Alexandra Pygall has joined from Covington & Burling LLP. The firm handles transactional and contentious matters, and recently advised Datacard Corporation in High Court infringement proceedings.

Wallace LLP’s Michael Clinch handles contentious matters, and Craig Thompson focuses on soft IP commercial work. Clients include media, entertainment, technology, and telecoms companies. Matthew Pryke left to become CEO at Fine & Country, which remains a client of the firm. Benjamin James joined from Bircham Dyson Bell LLP.

The team at Waterfront Solicitors ‘punches above its weight’, and has an ‘easy-going, can-do attitude’. Mainly handling contentious matters, it recently represented Kenwood in trade mark litigation, and defended Dynamic Cassette International against patent proceedings brought by Seiko Epson. Matthew Harris is ‘friendly, brilliant, direct, and able to think outside the box’; and Piers Strickland is ‘excellent for demanding litigation, and very tactically aware’.

Wedlake Bell LLP’s key strengths include design right disputes, and anti-counterfeiting and trade mark matters. It represents various fashion and retail sector clients, and successfully defended Tesco in a design right infringement case. Disputes partner Michael Gardner and commercial lawyer Adrian Heath-Saunders are recommended.

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