Robert Lands > Howard Kennedy LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Howard Kennedy LLP’s capabilities encompass trade mark licensing and contentious claims, as well as managing international brands. Active across various sectors, the team is noted for its expertise in the creative industries, and is well-versed in art-related mandates. ‘Exceptional’ Robert Lands leads the practice and handles trade mark and copyright work, while Colin Sawdy is at the forefront of the firm’s trade mark practice.

Handling both contractual and IP matters and a range of litigation in the publishing sphere, Howard Kennedy LLP is a regular port of call for leading magazines, newspapers, book publishers, authors and literary agents. A specialist in international and regulatory matters, Mark Stephens CBE co-heads the practice with Robert Lands, an IP expert with a strong profile for his work in the publishing and broadcasting spheres. On the contentious side, Elizabeth Morley comes recommended for her expertise in reputation management, privacy and data protection, where she advises various media organisations, journalists, bloggers and publications.

Howard Kennedy LLP fields a commercial team headed by Robert Lands – who excels in brand licensing and endorsement deals – that has added further strength to its offering through the arrival of four junior practitioners over the course of 2022, including Amy Cunliffe-Rowe, formerly of 3CS Corporate Solicitors, who has quickly engaged with a number of differing mandates and has increased the group’s data protection capabilities. The team show skill in supply, agency and distribution agreements, particularly in the food and drink, hospitality and entertainment sectors, and have overseen some notable matters regarding advertising and influence level agreements, regularly fronted by Alex Watt, for marketing and retail companies.

Howard Kennedy LLP provides major UK and international broadcasters with pre-broadcast, pre-publication and reputation management advice. Mark Stephens CBE, an expert in international comparative media law, co-heads the broad media & entertainment practice with Robert Lands, who focuses on IP and data protection matters pertaining to the creative industries. Seasoned litigator Elizabeth Morley regularly advises on defamation, privacy and data protection.

Spearheaded by Mark Stephens, the busy team at Howard Kennedy LLP advises a wide array of clients such as museums and public collections, galleries and dealers; other key clients include charities, artists, photographers and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. The group’s expertise spans all aspects of art and cultural property from drafting all forms of agreements, to handling litigation and resolving disputes. Other key areas of focus are advising on the recovery of stolen and looted items of art and cultural property, as well as providing estate planning advice to artists and collectors. Daniel McClean is another highly regarded member of the practice, and Alex Watt is particularly well known for his work with street artists, while Robert Lands has a particular focus on the visual arts.