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Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s ‘efficient and diligent’ team has a very strong name for IP, and acts for high-profile clients such as Harrods, British Gas and Sainsbury’s on non-contentious matters. On the contentious side, Nick Rudgard provides ‘a wealth knowledge and experience’, and acts for Primark and BA. Recommended on the non-contentious side are Martin Lewis, who is ‘a safe pair of hands’; Paul Bentham; and James Whittaker.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s practice is led by ‘excellent practitioner’ Graeme Orchison, who has acted on leading patent, trade mark and design cases for GOLA and Argos. Peter Brook leads the team in Liverpool and is recommended for non-contentious issues. The firm was exclusively appointed to act for Molson Coors. Stuart Campbell is now a partner.

Brabners Chaffe Street LLP’s team attracts high praise from clients. It has a large trade mark portfolio practice, which includes infringement work and is particularly strong in the fashion, retail and sports sectors. Nik White is a specialist in the games industry. Jason Smith has ‘excellent attention to detail’.

Cobbetts LLP’s team focuses on the gaming, electronics and textiles industries. Notable cases included acting for Datel Electronics in relation to alleged infringement of an authentication code for Xbox 360. Team head Susan Hall acted on design right infringement matters regarding Hexburg Nano toys. Robert Roper is highly recommended.

DWF LLP’s team is led by the experienced Craig Chaplin. It focuses on the food and retail sectors, with clients including Lidl and Burton’s Food Limited. New instructions came from Halfords and First Milk.

Eversheds LLP’s brand protection practice is based in Manchester. The team has ‘excellent knowledge and gives good commercial advice’. Head of retail Antony Gold provides ‘clear advice in the face of conflicting issues’ on IP issues, and recently acted for Specsavers in its trade mark case against Asda. Other clients include Kurt Geiger and Forever 21. Janet Knowles is recommended.

Gateley’s knowledge is ‘second to none’. Practice head Jonathan Moakes is highly recommended for IP litigation, recently acting for Pendle Metalwares in a design right infringement claim. John Burns carries out brand licensing work for high-profile clients. Peter Budd is ‘fantastic’. Other clients include Manchester City FC and Legal & General.

Clarke Willmott LLP’s team is led by Roy Crozier. Highlights included advising Jemella Group on a high-profile celebrity endorsement agreement, and acting for Fred Perry in a trade mark counterfeiting case. The firm also acts for Easy Group.

DAC Beachcroft LLP focuses on the technology sector, and acts for diverse public sector bodies. It is also advising INFOR in a number of disputes.

Hill Dickinson LLP’s Colin Gibbons and Harvey Stringfellow are recommended for litigation matters. Stringfellow acted for M Tech Data in defending a trade mark infringement case brought by Oracle.

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP’s Ian Morris is a ‘vastly experienced litigator’, and Colin Hoffman is ‘well known, and experienced in IP contracts’. Highlights included acting for a software supplier in a major database dispute, and advising a high-profile sports star on licensing issues.

Pannone LLP retains a strong retail sector client base, and acts for Go Outdoors and Wasabi Frog, which trades as boohoo.com, on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Melanie McGuirk is recommended. The team saw the departure of Samantha Livesey, who moved to Pinsent Masons LLP, and Bill Lister.

Mark Shipley at Shipley IP Ltd works with household brand owners and professional athletes. The firm has recently expanded its focus into the digital sector, advising clients such as Matmi.

Squire Sanders LLP’s practice head Peter Donaldson is recommended for non-contentious IP matters, and acts for large corporates such as SSP Limited and Torotrak plc.

George Davies Solicitors LLP deals with all aspects of IP, and advises a number of sports personalities.

Hillyer McKeown’s team is ‘first rate’. The ‘commercially astute’ Joanne Shelley’s work is ‘ten out of ten’.

JMW Solicitors LLP’s team was boosted by the arrival of Keith Arrowsmith from Ralli Solicitors. It has a strong media sector presence, advising clients such as Impact Film and Television.

Nexus Solicitors acts for sports personalities and high street retailers, and continues to work for stadium and arena operator SMG.

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