The brands team at Gowling WLG, based across London and Birmingham, is led by Kate Swaine, whose workload consists of global portfolio management and contentious work for a weighty client base. Huw Evans has handled design and trade mark matters in the fashion sector as well trade secrets cases, design expert John Coldham is a key figure for various branding instructions, and life sciences and pharma specialist Sharmela Kalmer and Birmingham-based litigator Michael Carter bring further experience to the team. Dan Smith leads on advertising law matters, and brand protection falls within Khemi Salhan’s purview. Also assisting clients facing matters related to advertising and defamation as well as core IP rights work is Zoe Pearman.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘John Coldham is extremely responsive and helpful, and because the firm is quite large, we can be confident in recommending him and his team for large and demanding litigation work.'
- 'John Coldham is a leading authority on design rights and trade marks. He is an exceptional lawyer. Kate Swaine is a recognised expert in brands, trade marks and designs. She is an exceptional lawyer and team leader.'
‘Khemi Salhan and Kate Swaine are excellent - approachable and practical, as well as being knowledgeable.’
‘John Coldham has exceptional knowledge of trade mark law. He is a great strategic thinker. He also has excellent interpersonal skills with clients, his team at Gowlings and the counsel that he instructs.’
‘The team - led by the amazing Kate Swaine - is one of the most remarkable in the UK. Kate and her team are brilliant yet pragmatic and approachable. They are an absolute pleasure to cooperate with.’
- 'Zoe Pearman has risen from trainee to senior associate in super-speed and has a promising future ahead.'
‘Love Kate Swaine, John Coldham, and Dan Smith. Great people and so on top of the recent developments that are relevant to us. Fun to work with but really high quality!’
‘John Coldham is our main partner contact. We have built up a high level of trust with him, and he is our go-to person in the UK for IP litigation matters.’
'They have a depth of knowledge and experience in the IP litigation area which is fundamental, but their key strength is that they know our business well and provide advice which is always clear, commercial and very usable.'
'Kate Swaine is very attentive to her matters and to the individuals connected therewith. She brings in her long-standing experience and her super-nice personality to achieve pragmatic yet flawless results.'
Key clients
- Weetabix Limited
- Keyloop
- Major League Baseball
- London Stock Exchange
- Refinitiv
- LCH
- Farfetch
- We Love Holidays
- IATA (International Air Transport Association)
- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
- RFU
- The Arts Club London
- Aston Martin Lagonda
- Longchamp (UK) Limited
- Baker Tilly International Limited
- Specsavers
- BP
- Joseph Joseph
- Aston Martin Lagonda
- Dyson
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Kate Swaine
Other key lawyers
Huw Evans; John Coldham; Sharmela Kalmer; Michael Carter; Dan Smith; Khemi Salhan; Zoe Pearman; Alex Brodie