Copyright and trade mark expert Rebecca O’Kelly-Gillard and transactional IP specialist Tom Snaith co-head the expansive operation at Bird & Bird LLP, a longstanding favourite of a long list of multinational clients spread across several sectors such as the retail and consumer, fashion, media and entertainment, tech and big data, AI, financial and payment services spaces, and more. The team includes experienced litigator and IP strategist Peter Brownlow, veteran disputes specialist Phil Sherrell and Ewan Grist, who focuses on high-stakes contentious work and major passing-off disputes. Trade mark specialist Allan Poulter is another key name, as is Louise Sargeant for large advisory projects, online defamation, IP-rich agreements, and cross-border trade secrets and soft IP litigation. Also on the team are Toby Bond, a crucial contact for matters involving AI, and Josh Little, who joined the brand management team in January 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Ewan Grist has unparalleled expertise in IP litigation and is exceptional at managing client relationships.’
‘Phil Sherrell and the team at Bird & Bird bring a unique blend of copyright and licensing expertise, and music/tech industry knowledge. They are able to help guide us on strategy to enforce rights, but with that they show a deep understanding of the commercial goals we're looking to achieve.’
‘Phil Sherrell is one of the best in the business. Exceptionally experienced in copyright and IP enforcement matters, copyright tribunals, and in the licensing of music rights.'
- 'Tom Darvill shows a fierce intellect by quickly grasping the key commercial and legal issues, and leaving no stone unturned in disputes. He has an exceptional eye for the detail whilst always spotting the big issues.'
- 'Louise O'Hara is a brilliant up-and-coming associate. Hard-working and always providing us with intelligent and value-adding legal analysis and advice.’
Key clients
- Lidl Great Britain Ltd
- Merck KGaA
- Sinocare
- Dream Pairs Europe Inc
- Stability AI
- Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA)
- Wise
- TuneIn
- Chanel
- Dave Holmes
- Betafence (Praesidad Group)
- Groupe SEB UK Ltd (Tefal)
Work highlights
Advising Dream Pairs, which owns the rights to the Umbro trade mark portfolio, regarding a trade mark infringement related to the use of a diamond logo on football boots.
Applying for a declaration of breach of an injunction Merck KGaA v Merck & Co., Inc against MSD in a judgment given.
Assisting Sinocare in defending against a claim of trade mark infringement and the application for an interim injunction.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ewan Grist
Phil Sherrell
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Rebecca O'Kelly-Gillard
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Louise Sargeant
Practice head
Rebecca O’Kelly-Gillard; Tom Snaith
Other key lawyers
Phil Sherrell; Ewan Grist; Toby Bond; Allan Poulter; Louise Sargeant; Josh Little; Tom Darvill; Louise O'Hara