A&L Goodbody is a leading name for both contentious and non-contentious work, with notable clients across numerous sectors, including retail, agri-tech, education and med-tech. The department acts throughout the UK and international jurisdictions such as the US and Germany, all while maintaining strong links to the domestic Northern Irish market. The department is co-led by Brendan Fox, who specialises in contentious matters and is a seasoned commercial litigator, and Mark Thompson, who heads the non-contentious team within the practice, and has expertise in IP protection, transfer, and commercialisation. Ciaran O’Shiel, who made partner in October 2021, now leads the department’s contentious IP team.

Arthur Cox Belfast provides a complete coverage of IP issues, including transactional work and commercial agreements. Multiple high-profile public and corporate clients retain the firm for guidance on all IP aspects, such as trade marks, copyrights and patents,  covering a diverse range of sectors. Department head Alan Taylor provides ‘exceptional legal advice‘ to clients, including major multinationals. Corporate partner Lynsey Mallon specialises in the technology, retail and public sectors, and works closely with Richard Armstrong, who made partner in January 2022. Associate Erin Carruthers is a name to note.

Carson McDowell is active on a wide range of high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, covering multiple sectors such as manufacturing, education, pharmaceuticals and sport. The firm is particularly active in the technology sector, with clients including software, agri-tech and fin-tech companies. Declan Magee and Dawn McKnight form the head duo, with Magee acting on a broad range of IP disputes, particularly patent litigation, while McKnight, who is described as an ‘outstanding professional‘, covers non-contentious matters within the department. Peter Guzhar is another key name thanks to his  wealth of experience in the prosecution and defence of trade mark and patent infringement cases.

Millar McCall Wylie LLP is developing a strong IP practice in film and television, in addition to its existing specialisms in manufacturing, technology, and software. Corporate partner Damian McParland advises on intellectual property rights relating to investments and acquisitions across multiple sectors. Abbie Long is another name to note.

Mills Selig is active on IP issues relating to a broad range of sectors, with a special focus on patent litigation. Their aptitude for contentious work has been bolstered this year with the promotion of commercial litigator Kirsten Magee to practice co-head alongside Emma Hunt and Glenn Watterson. Hunt brings experience in copyright, patent and trade mark disputes, while Watterson is mostly active in an advisory role for corporate IP matters.

Tughans fields an IP practice with a focus on technology, which primarily covers licensing and IP contracts. The firm receives instructions from global and domestic clients, including NI start-ups, and has been the lead IP advisor for the Randox Group in the UK. Team head Adrian O’Connell is active in multiple technology-adjacent sectors, including healthcare and retail. He is supported by Andrew Kirke, who brings experience in trade mark matters and licensing agreements.

Cleaver Fulton Rankin act on both contentious and non-contentious matters, and are particularly active in the technology and software sector. The team is co-led by litigator Michael King, who is experienced in contentious IP, and corporate partner Paul McBride, who joined the firm from Davidson McDonnell Solicitors in January 2022.

Lewis Silkin, which merged with local firm Forde Campbell LLC in early 2022, fields a multi-disciplinary team with significant experience in IP matters. Team lead Mathew Forde has a strong history of commercial litigation, and acts on trade secret, copyright, trade marks and other IP infringement cases. Forde is supported by Rory Campbell, who advises a diverse range of clients on non-contentious matters, and Katey Dixon, who specialises in the creative and design sector.