Baker McKenzie maintains its position as a high-profile firm within IP, frequently sought out for its expertise in handling IP matters in commercial transactions and is particularly active in trade mark and patent disputes. The firm displays great experience in handling cross-border matters for its global clientele, whilst operating across multiple sectors. Isabella Liu, who is head of IP and technology, leads the team with a vast knowledge of patent and design protection and is recognised within the pharmaceuticals sector. Ruby Chan excels in brand protection and IP acquisitions, whilst Loke-Khoon Tan is well-regarded for handling IP matters in the consumer goods and retail industry, and is particularly noted for representing clients against counterfeiters.

Remaining a strong provider of IP counsel, Bird & Bird is well-versed in handling contentious and non-contentious matters for its leading clientele. Its expertise extends across multiple industries and jurisdictions, demonstrating particular strengths within the technology, life sciences and healthcare sectors. The team is led by Hank Leung, a specialist in trade mark, product design and copyright within the sports and entertainment industry. Leung is closely supported by Shanghai-based Christine Yiu. Ted Chwu, who co-heads the global tech and comms group, excels in handling disputes. Alison Wong is head of the life sciences & healthcare sector for Asia Pacific, advising pharmaceutical companies on regulatory and IP matters. Matthew Laight is recommended for handling matters relating to standard essential patents. Recently promoted partner Victor Tse specialises in IP protection strategies.

Deacons operates a knowledgeable IP team, recognised for providing extensive counsel in ‘a pre-emptive manner’, ensuring a highly proficient service to its notable client list. Key areas of expertise include handling complex IP litigation, and the team is highly renowned within the entertainment and media sector. Co-headed by Annie Tsoi and Catherine Zheng, the group is further spearheaded by the ‘exceptionally capable’ Charmaine Koo. As head of IP commercial and litigation, Koo is recommended for handling complex court litigation and data privacy issues for leading companies, alongside being a leading entertainment lawyer. Additionally, Jeffrey McLean is regularly instructed on patent prosecution and ligation. Theresa Luk handles IP litigation and commercial transactions. Patsy Lau has extensive knowledge in protecting trade mark portfolios throughout the region.

IP boutique Rouse & Co. International (Overseas) Limited routinely handles trade mark disputes and portfolio management cases. Its recent caseload includes representing high-profile brand owners with anti-counterfeit issues, oppositions, invalidity and prosecution. Particularly skilled in IP protection, Adelaide Yu is well-versed in handling dispute and enforcement matters. Rachel Tan focuses on trade mark and design matters. Theresa Mak handles trade mark prosecution and trade mark-related matters.

Mayer Brown is a key name for contentious and non-contentious IP matters. Practice head Gabriela Kennedy has notable experience in enforcement strategies and IP rights protection, and is regularly instructed by tech start-ups and media companies. Amita Haylock is skilled in copyright and patent infringement proceedings as well as contentious work with the technology industry.

Clifford Chance is regularly instructed by a broad mix of clients spanning healthcare, financial services, telecommunications media and technology sectors. Leveraging its strong corporate and dispute resolution offering, the IP team handles IP-heavy transactions, IP litigation and tech-related arbitration. Ling Ho heads up the firm’s IP practice, leading litigation and dispute resolution matters. The recent arrival of Charmaine Kwong from Hogan Lovells in July 2023 bolstered the team’s expertise in IP prosecution and global strategy particularly across the technology, pharmaceutical and finance industries.

Leveraging its broad network of offices in the region and globally, DLA Piper's Hong Kong office is well-placed to handle high-profile contentious IP matters and IP-rich corporate transactions. Key points of distinction are its experience in brand protection and its trade mark expertise. Practice head Edward Chatterton demonstrates extensive knowledge in enforcement and IP litigation, and is closely supported by Elizabeth Wong who is recommended for unfair competition and enforcement of trade marks, trade dress, anti-counterfeiting as well as licensing and commercialisation of IP.

Providing ‘extremely valuable support’ to its clients, Jones Day is praised as a ‘strong IP practice’ with capabilities encompassing various components of IP matters. Notably experienced in the technology sector, the team also demonstrates strengths in the telecoms, consumer electronics and software sectors. Working closely with its China office,  its caseload features IP disputes representing both Chinese and multinational companies, as well as IP transactions and Hong Kong portfolio strategy. Practice head Haifeng Huang is noted for IP disputes and IP-rich transactions. Jennifer Lin is also recommended.

Norton Rose Fulbright is a highly proficient firm in handling a variety of matters, ranging from IP rights acquisition, licensing and enforcement. It has a notable presence in the life sciences and healthcare industry as well as education, advising on patent and trade mark registrations and litigation. Justin Davidson has a strong record advising both multinational and Asian businesses on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious IP and technology matters.

Wilkinson & Grist is regularly instructed by China-based multinational companies on IP protection and enforcement matters. The team fields Hong Kong lawyers, PRC counsel, patent and trade mark attorneys and is led by Annie Tsoi who advises on trade mark portfolio management and IP-driven commercial transactions. Florence Lam focuses on contentious IP work relating to trade mark, copyright, design, patent and domain names.

CMS Hong Kong LLP enjoys a large clientele across a variety of industries. It handles a steady flow of trade mark and patent filings as well as arbitration matters. Jonathan Chu is recommended for IP protection, licensing, technology transfer, portfolio management, and IP transactions. Candy Tong is a name to note for trade mark prosecution and filing. Mengyi Chen is also a name to note.

Dorsey & Whitney has a dedicated IP practice, handling a wide range of IP protection, enforcement and commercial transactions. It is noted for its solid track record in infringement and copyright mandates. Janet Wong is the head of the firm’s Hong Kong office and Greater China IP group and has vast experience in corporate transactions, commercial litigation and financial disputes. Lilian Shi handles contentious matters, brand and copyright protection and portfolio management.

With close integration between the Hong Kong and China practices, East IP is highly effective in handling IP matters and managing portfolios in the Greater China region. Helen Tang heads the Hong Kong practice and is highly experienced in trade mark prosecution and filing work, counting major Hong Kong and PRC companies as her main clients. Joe Simone is another name to note.

Eversheds Sutherland is active in prosecution and enforcement. Cedric Lam is highly experienced in cross-border IP-related transactions and disputes. Further names to note include Koon-yiu Tse who focuses on commercial and transactional IP matters, and Sum Lam who is recommended for contentious IP matters.

Gallant has a comprehensive IP offering from the protection of trade marks and patents to oppositions, with many clients in the academia sector. The group is spearheaded by Rebecca Lo who handles a steady flow of portfolio management matters. Emily Chick handles IP disputes.

Operating in conjunction with the firm’s China and US offices, K&L Gates combines expertise across the spectrum of IP matters. Practice head Jay Chiu is recommended for patent litigation. Winnie Chan contributes to the team’s portfolio management and licensing proficiency, with a diverse roster of clients ranging from well-known jewellers to satellite operators.

Lewis Silkin's practice covers contentious IP, patent, trade mark and design portfolio management, and IP-driven transactions in both Hong Kong and across the Asia Pacific region. ‘Seasoned litigator’ Jezamine Fewins leads the team, and regularly appears in the High Court representing clients in trade mark, design and copyright infringement actions.

Minter Ellison handles a broad mix of litigation, passing-off, registration and enforcement as well as portfolio management. Steven Birt is recommended for portfolio strategy and litigation, and is particularly active in the pharmaceutical sector, representing clients in medical product regulatory name registration in Hong Kong and contentious matters relating to their trade marks.

OLN IP Services Limited handles a broad range of matters, spanning anti-counterfeiting action to IP registration and strategy filing. Heading up the IP teams of both Hong Kong and China is Vera Sung who focuses on trade mark prosecution. Benjamin Choi is another name to note for trade mark and branding strategy matters.