The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > North West > Intellectual property

Addleshaw Goddard advises on the full range of contentious and non-contentious IP issues, including brand disputes and advertising. Recently the firm has been developing expertise in big data, agile software development and indirect software licensing. Key client sectors include retail and consumer, financial services, transport, industrials, energy, health and the public sector. Paul Bentham - described as 'simply the best non contentious IP adviser in the North West' heads the team and advises on IP matters arising from company acquisitions and joint ventures. 'Real big hitter' James Whittaker has particular experience in the retail and consumer goods sector.

National firm Clarke Willmott LLP has a focus on international clients, which it advises in tandem with its network of correspondent law firms around the world, handling matters relating to anti-counterfeiting and enforcement. The firm represents a plethora of blue-chip international clients with a particular focus on the technology sector. The 'exceptional' Roy Crozier leads the team, which clients say 'can go toe-to-toe with the top London firms in IP litigation'. Senior associate Andrew Stone has experience of complex litigation and is also recommended. The firm also has a substantial trade mark filings practice.

DWF represents a raft of leading brands across sectors including manufacturing, retail, pharma, healthcare, technology, hospitality and food and drink. Areas of expertise include patents, design, copyright, trademark disputes, breach of confidence claims and cross-jurisdictional issues. 'Highly recommended' team co-head Craig Chaplin advises on IP acquisitions and disposals, research, development and licensing of IP rights and brand protection. Fellow co-head Asima Rana also leads the North West IP litigation practice.

DLA Piper UK LLP represents big-name clients on IP litigation across industries including retail, finance, manufacturing and pharma. Areas of expertise include patents, trade marks, designs, disputes and transactions. Co-head of team Lee Brierley focuses on non-contentious IP, with particular experience in relation to brand acquisitions and licensing, technology partnering arrangements and licensing and manufacturing agreements. Liverpool-based Peter Brook, who also co-heads the team, specialises in technology IP matters. The team recently advised the London Stock Exchange Group on a successful claim for trade mark infringement.

Gateley Plc advises on a broad range of IP-related matters including exploitation, franchising and brand licensing. Jonathan Moakes heads the team and handles both contentious and non-contentious matters for national and international clients.

IP specialist firm HGF Law advises on both transactional and contentious IP, with key client sectors including life sciences, pharmaceutical, retail, engineering and education. Co-head of team Antony Gold specialises in design, branding, advertising and promotions advice, as well as contentious patent work. The 'skilled and pragmatic' Janet Knowles, who also co-heads the team, focuses on transactional IP law.

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP handles all aspects of contentious and non-contentious IP law, with areas of expertise including licensing, R&D, brand acquisitions and disposals and patent work. Clients include sport and media personalities, AIM-listed companies and individual investors in sectors such as fashion, education, life sciences, sports, media, retail, entertainment and technology. Ian Morris heads the team and specialises in contentious IP work, while Bruce Jones is experienced in multi-jurisdictional patent and trademark disputes.

Pannone Corporate LLP advises on various contentious and non-contentious IP issues including franchise agreements, disputes, data protection, data breach cases and competition law. Other areas of expertise include anti-counterfeiting, trademarks, passing off, copyright and patent disputes. Client sectors include retail, fashion, manufacturing, technology, bio-technology, software, IT and energy. Amy Chandler co-heads the team and focuses on IP and IT-related agreements. Fellow co-head Melanie McGuirk - who 'always goes that extra mile for her clients' - specialises in IP-related dispute resolution. Senior associate Sarah Bazaraa is recommended for her contentious IP disputes work.

Pinsent Masons LLP has a particular focus on the life sciences, TMT and retail sectors for soft IP. Other client sectors include construction, IT, financial services, media and entertainment and consumer. Areas of expertise include brand reputation and development, portfolio management, patent procurement strategies, design right protection, unfair competition, breach of confidence actions, patent litigation and GDPR. Samantha Livesey heads the team and focuses on IP, IT, digital and data matters.

Shoosmiths LLP has particular expertise in providing advice on commercialising IP through joint ventures, licensing and franchising. Other areas of focus include acquisition of IP assets, PR, advertising R&D, trademarks, and both contentious and non-contentious copyright matters. Key client sectors include fashion, technology and communications.

TLT acts for household name clients in relation to IP litigation, trademarks, patents, copyright, design rights and IT issues. On the non-contentious side the firm advises on new IP development, strategic licensing and IP transfers. Key client sectors include retail and consumer goods, financial services, TMT and leisure. The 'very service-minded' Graeme Orchison heads the team and specialises in litigation at trial and in the appellate courts, working in tandem with Bristol-based James Touzel.

DAC Beachcroft LLP advises a broad range of national and international clients on both contentious and non-contentious IP matters including IP transactions, disputes and litigation. Other areas expertise include copyright, trademarks, passing off, database rights, confidential information and design rights. Key client sectors include insurance and healthcare. Harald Loeffler heads the team and is experienced in various IP litigation matters including licensing disputes, and trademark and design right infringement claims.

Myerson Solicitors LLP advises clients on IP dispute resolution matters relating to trademarks, copyright, patents, confidential information, data protection, design rights and reputation management. Carla Murray heads the team and deals with non-contentious IP matters. Clients include individuals, owner-managed businesses, SMEs and plcs.

Gorvins Solicitors advises clients on copyright, design rights, trademarks and patents. It also deals with enforcement, disputes, passing off, copyright infringement and IP licenses. Andrew Curwen co-heads the team and advises institutions and OMBs on corporate transactions. Guy Lightowler also co-heads the team and acts for a range of clients in IP disputes.

Hill Dickinson LLP represents clients in relation to brand protection and exploitation, drafting and negotiating sponsorship deals, personal endorsement deals, licences and IPR assignments. Other areas of expertise include acquisition and maintenance services, and contentious matters such as prosecution, enforcement and defence of infringement claims. London-based Mark Weston co-heads the team alongside Manchester-based Mark Fitzgibbon.