Particularly active in the automotive, beauty, green technology, and retail sectors, Browne Jacobson LLP is well-regarded for its IP litigation capabilities, for which Nick Smee is a key contact. On the non-contentious side, the practice is also geared to handle blockchain matters, licensing, payments, portfolio management, as well as R&D agreements. Head of IP and technology and trade mark specialist Declan Cushley enjoys over two decades of experience in the sector. Mark Daniels leads the patents sphere and is noted for his strength in IP strategy and enforcement, as well as contentious copyright, database, and patent work. Other key members of the team include Cat Driscoll and Kulpreet Virdi, who are proficient in commercial contracts.

With a full-service IP offering encompassing design registrations, disputes and enforcement, as well as patent and trade mark filing, the sizeable practice Gateley Legal is led by John Buckby. Buckby is vastly experienced in licensing agreements, while Simon Cooper often handles patent filings and trade mark issues for a breadth of organisations across the healthcare and medical devices sectors. David Gwilliam is active in the pharmaceutical sector, and is knowledgeable of trade mark filings and portfolio management. Paven Munder is frequently engaged in trade mark registry disputes. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Nottingham, unless stated otherwise.

Geared to handle collaboration agreements, IP litigation, and trademark portfolio work, Howes Percival LLP enjoys a strong reputation in the fashion, food and drink, as well as software sectors. Matthew Talbot leads the practice and splits his time between Leicester and Northampton. Talbot is an experienced IP litigator and often handles copyright, design rights, patents, and trade mark disputes. Leicester-based Hannah Steggles is knowledgeable of IP licenses and IT outsourcing agreements, she is also experienced before the UK Intellectual Property Office. In Northampton, Jenna Bruce is skilled in IP licensing, maintenance agreements, and software developments, while Stephen Ruse’s caseload encompasses infringement matters.

With in-depth IP litigation expertise, Potter Clarkson LLP draws upon support from its international network, including offices across Copenhagen, London, and Stockholm. The Nottingham-based practice enjoys a strong reputation in the life science sector, and is also frequently engaged in IP agreements, for which Oliver Laing is a key contact. Richard Roberts is principally focused on IP litigation, and he has experience before both the UK and European Union Intellectual Property Offices. Nick McDonald’s caseload encompasses copyright, designs, pharmaceutical patent litigation, and trademarks, while David Holt is active in the biotechnology sector. Georgia Carr is a strong choice for electronics and fashion entities.

A key port of call for various Russell Group universities on the registration of trade marks and licenses, Shakespeare Martineau LLP is well-versed in brand, design, and patent litigation. With over two decades of experience, Ed Wright oversees the Nottingham-based practice and is primarily engaged in non-contentious matters, including the creation, ownership, protection and exploitation of intellectual property. Selina Hinchliffe is proficient in transactional work, in addition to IP licensing, reorganisation, and strategy. Charlotte Cassells is noted for her strength in property infringement disputes.

Potential infringement risks, the acquisition of trade marks out of insolvency, and trade mark applications remain a cornerstone of the practice at Geldards LLP. Splitting his time between Derby and Nottingham, Jamie Goldberg oversees the practice. Goldberg advises golfers and tennis players on endorsement, image rights and licensing, as well as sponsorship, he is also lauded for his ‘great industry knowledge.’ In Derby, Saima Shabir and Tamsin Mason-Rowe are experienced in data protection and contractual work.

Led by Emma Toes, Nelsons Solicitors Limited’s recent caseload encompasses filing and prosecuting national applications before the UKIPO. Toes works out of Birmingham and often assists clients on the exploitation, ownership, and protection of intellectual property in the manufacturing and design industries. She is also praised as ‘breathtakingly efficient, organised, and extremely well-informed. ’