Noted as ‘one of the best trade mark practices in the field’, Barker Brettell LLP‘s Birmingham-based team is well-regarded for its capabilities handling the plethora of trade mark cases, including global portfolio management, freedom to use and enforcement and opposition work. ‘Technically excellent’ practitioner Catherine Wiseman is experienced assisting UK, EU and global clients on the breadth of contentious and non-contentious trade mark work. Wiseman helms the practice alongside John Lawrence, Yvonne Johnson, and Southampton-based Alan Wilson. Noteworthy practitioners include Rosalyn Newsome whose workload features cross-jurisdictional contentious matters, strategy and enforcement cases, Lucy Walker who handles customs matters and domain name issues as part of her practice, and Tracy Arch whose clients span the FMCG, food and drink and hospitality sectors. ‘True thought-leader’ Ian Pearce handles EU revocation proceedings as part of his workload. Stephen Lowry departed in July 2024.

The ‘absolutely first-rate’ group at Boult Wade Tennant LLP is well-regarded for its abilities handling the plethora of trade mark matters, including filing applications both domestically and internationally, handling opposition and advisory matters before the UKIPO and EUIPO, and handling disputes in English courts and tribunals as well as those overseas. The team’s growing client roster features well-known, sector-spanning names. Overseeing the cohort are Rachel Conroy who has experience in brand selection protection, enforcement and portfolio management, and ‘best of the best’ Emma Pitcher who assists clients in the Asian and American markets, amongst others. Chinese trade mark cases are the area of specialism of Catherine Wolfe, while Connor Thorogood has expertise in dispute avoidance negotiations and disputes. UKIPO and settlement matters form a significant portion of Felicity Hide‘s practice. ‘IP encyclopaedia’ Tony Pluckrose stepped into a consultancy role in 2024.

Noted for its ‘outstanding expertise and client service’, D Young & Co LLP‘s team is experienced acting for such well-known names as Adele and Metrobank in the gamut of trade mark cases. The team’s workload features managing significant international portfolios, clearance, filing and opposition matters. Additionally, it is well-equipped to represent its clientele through disputes regarding infringement, unfair competition and licensing issues, amongst others, predominantly before the UK, German and European courts. Tamsin Holman helms the group and harnesses 25 years’ experience handling contentious IP matters. Gemma Kirkland is a name to note for filing, strategy and portfolio management work, in particular; Holman and Kirkland are described as ‘serious experts at the top of their game’ by clients. Anna Reid‘s practice includes assisting with domain name, copyright, design and registered rights-related issues, while Matthew Dick’s workload spans the breadth of advisory and litigious brand work. Charlotte Duly, who has prosecution expertise, joined the team from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP in June 2025. The team is based between Southampton and London, with presence in Munich also.

The ‘top-notch team’ at HGF Law is well-versed in handling the gamut of trade mark cases, with a noteworthy specialism handling European IP matters as well as those in the UK, across its offices in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and Ireland. Filing and registering trademarks, managing significant portfolios for renowned clients, and handling oppositions, appeals and litigation are all key elements of the collective’s workload. Tech, travel and leisure and automotive are amongst the industry sectors its workload spans. David Potter works from the office in Leeds and assists with strategy and management in particular, while Birmingham’s Rigel Moss McGrath is a brand protection expert; the pair co-head the practice. In London, Jonathan Thurgood handles registration and enforcement matters, Stephanie Loeffler-Reading has 30 years’ experience in the IP field, and Geoff Smith is a name to note. Lee Curtis is the key name in Manchester. Harpreet Dhaliwal and Harriet Berridge joined the London office in February and March 2025, respectively. Both Dhaliwal and Berridge joined the team from Stobbs IP.

J A Kemp‘s collective is well-placed to assist its portfolio of clients which features renowned names spanning the variety of industry sectors, on the range of complex contentious and non-contentious matters. James Fish‘s workload incorporates the prosecution of unusual marks, handling litigation and anti-dilution campaigns for key clients. Fish co-heads the practice alongside Tom Albertini who assists internationally-known brands with trade mark and design clearance, prosecution and enforcement, as well as in dispute contexts. Aaron Newell is noted for his ‘professionalism, expertise and dedication’ and specialises in domain name dispute management matters, while Charlotte Stirling advises on both domestic and cross-jurisdictional portfolios. Ben Mooneapillay has over 25 years’ experience in trade mark matters and is a noteworthy practitioner, as is Oxford-based Scott Gardiner.

The London-based cohort at Kilburn & Strode LLP is well-known for its work handling matters ranging from trade mark portfolio management and analysis and strategic advice provision, to complex prosecution, litigation and transactional cases. Its substantial client roster is varied in terms of sector coverage and includes such names as Candy Kittens, Wayfair and EasyJet. Iain Stewart spearheads the group and has experience acting for internationally renowned clients, across sectors including biotech, medicine and pharma, tech and entertainment, amongst others. Managing international portfolios and offering complex strategic advice are areas of focus of Rowena Tolley whose food and drink sector client list is noteworthy. Ryan Pixton advises on UK and EU trade mark matters, Ben Scarfield assists clients with clearance and filing strategies, and Carol Nyahasha‘s areas of specialism include trade mark prosecution and brand protection cases. Justine Lynch joined the team from Burges Salmon LLP in March 2024.

The team at Mewburn Ellis LLP‘s workload includes advising on the protection and enforcement of trade marks and brand names. The team also acts on significant disputes for clients across various industry sectors, which involve such issues as trade mark infringement and domain disputes. Its advisory and disputes work is frequently cross-jurisdictional in nature, and the team’s client portfolio features sector-spanning names. Andy King oversees the group and has experience handling complex litigation atop his capabilities, advising on strategy, filings and portfolio management issues. Jacqueline Pang‘s practice includes portfolio management, opposition and revocation matters and UK and EU customs applications. Rebecca Anderson-Smith works from the Bristol office and harnesses particular industry sector expertise in healthcare and pharma-related cases. Kate O’Rourke retired from practice in March 2025.

Murgitroyd‘s cohort is well-equipped to assist its sector-spanning clientele in global filing and prosecution, design protection matters, oppositions and disputes cases and in portfolio management. JD and Revolution Beauty are amongst the names in the team’s client roster. The team is headed up from Belfast by Joanne Lecky, who harnesses expertise in clearance search and protection cases as well as disputes. Key practitioners include Mike Vettese in Aberdeen, who has brand protection expertise with a particular focus on music, media and entertainment-related cases. Glasgow’s Anne Bashir is noted as going ‘above and beyond for clients’. In London, Steve Waine has 30 years’ experience in trade marks. Eleanor Coates and Jacqueline McKay are also noteworthy in Glasgow. Claire Hutson departed the team in February 2025, and Dewdney Drew left in August.

Potter Clarkson LLP‘s London-based collective is well-placed to assist its client list, which covers a significant breadth of industry sectors, on the remit of trade mark matters. Brand clearance and protection cases are a key part of the team’s workload, and a key area of focus of team head Emmy Hunt. Trade mark enforcement and portfolio management also feature heavily, and it is well-equipped to handle disputes, including issues of trade mark infringement. Sarah Talland has trade mark prosecution expertise, and experience acting therein across sectors including entertainment, automotive and retail, amongst others. Partner as of January 2025 and ‘expert in the trade mark field’ Edwina FitzHugh is a name to note in Nottingham, as is Harrison Lee, who handles clearance, filing, enforcement, prosecution and the range of contentious cases.

The Cambridge and London-based group at Stobbs IP has well-established capabilities advising its sizeable and varied roster of clients, which includes such internationally renowned names as Dua Lipa and Mars, on the plethora of complex and trade mark matters. On the non-contentious side, the practice advises on brand strategy and filing, online brand enforcement and portfolio management. In terms of disputes and litigation work, it is equipped to represent clients at various court levels on infringements, particularly those tackling supermarket own-brand lookalike product breaches. Julius Stobbs spearheads the practice and specialises in trade mark, copyright and registered design cases. IP contracts are Sarah Fellows’ area of specialism, and Richard Ferguson is a name to note also. Contentious IP specialist Alec Cameron joined in November 2024 from Birketts LLP. Further team changes include the departures of Charlotte Peach and Chris Sleep in December 2024, of Joel McDonald in January 2025, and of Harpreet Dhaliwal and Harriet Berridge in February and March 2025, respectively.

The London-based collective at Venner Shipley LLP advises well-known clients across the variety of industry sectors on complex and high-value trade mark matters, including advising on protection and enforcement, portfolio management and filing and prosecution. The team was bolstered in December 2024 as a result of its merger with former firm AA Thornton, which saw numerous team arrivals, including Ian Gill, who coordinates global trade mark portfolios for internationally renowned brands, ‘awesome lawyer’ Lucy Pope, and Sarah Darby, whose industry sector expertise includes tech, pharma and luxury goods. Louise Foster, Suzanne Power, litigation specialist Geoff Hussey, who handles infringement disputes, and expert in portfolio management Sarah Neil, also arrived as part of the merger. Yoann Rousseau is also a name to note for his ‘insightful recommendations’. Tunbridge Wells-based team lead Clare Turnbull specialises in trade mark issues, as well as design protection and plant varieties work.

The team at Baker McKenzie ‘offers exceptional support’ to its roster of clients which contains a number of well-known names from various industry sectors, such as booking.com, Warner Bros, and Fujitsu. The team’s workload features complex contentious and non-contentious matters, including managing portfolios, providing strategic advice and assisting with IP aspects of commercial transactions. Transactional work is a focus area of Natalie Ellerby. It also handles multi-jurisdictional disputes in relation to brand management and related protections. Julia Dickenson is well-equipped to handle litigious matters, Nadine Archer has noteworthy capabilities in the food and beverage, and tech sectors. Jessica Le Gros heads up the offering, harnessing expertise in trade mark prosecution and global portfolio management. Le Gros leads alongside Rachel Wilkinson-Duffy who specialises in contentious cases.

The cohort at Beck Greener LLP is well-equipped to assist its clientele in the management of global trade mark portfolios, on the strategy surrounding both traditional and non-traditional marks, and on high-profile disputes. Handling contentious disputes and trade mark prosecution forms a significant portion of team lead Ian Bartlett‘s workload; Bartlett harnesses over 30 years’ experience in the field. Catherine Jewell ‘truly stands out in every respect’ according to clients and has expertise defending brands through opposition proceedings, conducting and advising on searches and negotiating settlement agreements. EU trade mark expert Rowland Buehrlen collaborates with the London team from the firm’s Alicante office. Duncan Morgan is an experienced IP litigator, having acted for clients from well-known clothing designers to well-known musical artists.

Bristows LLP‘s team is able to assist such well-known clients as Meta and McDonald’s on the plethora of complex trade mark cases, with particular capabilities in the tech and life sciences sectors, amongst others. Advising clients in regard to IP protection and enforcement, managing local and international portfolios and representing in domestic and multi-jurisdictional disputes are all areas of focus of the team. It is headed up by Nellie Jackson who is experienced in managing the portfolios of renowned names, is considered to be ‘at the top of her game’ by clients. Jackson oversees the offering alongside Paul Jordan, who specialises in advertising, marketing and brand protection cases. Ian Gruselle is noteworthy for his portfolio management and disputes expertise, while Simon Clark is also adept at litigating at various court levels. Jennifer Noel is also recommended.

The group at Carpmaels & Ransford LLP manages significant trade mark portfolios for its roster of clients, which features well-known names. Brand counselling and protection are also key elements of the team’s workload. Roger Lush leads the practice and has experience assisting clients in sectors from media and entertainment to healthcare and pharma, with the life cycle of trade mark matters, including advising on inception, protection, commercialisation, opposition, and enforcement issues, as well as litigation. Jonathan Day is a key name in brand protection enforcement and management, while Lara Elder has expertise in licensing disputes, anti-counterfeiting and enforcement strategy advisory work, and brand protection and management cases.

Cleveland Scott York‘s London practice is well-placed to handle the remit of advisory trade mark work, filing and prosecution, and opposition and appeal matters for its client list which spans sectors including life sciences, fashion and engineering. Claire Birro has particular expertise in portfolio enforcement, while Peter Houlihan is well-versed in handling disputes and litigation. Rebecca Silva is experienced advising some of the group’s most notable clients, and Reading’s Joanna Larkey is a key name noted as ‘diligent and effective’ by clients. The ‘outstanding’ Lorna Hobbs heads up the team with Jonathan Clegg; both harness 30 years’ experience advising clients on their IP issues.

The ‘cohesive, collegial and unified’ group at CMS is noted for its ‘delivering top-quality work’ to its broad array of well-known clients which includes such names as Sainsbury’s, booking.com, Ministry of Sound, and Microsoft. Sarah Wright assists noteworthy clients in the establishment and development of significant portfolios. Wright co-heads with expert litigator Joel Vertes who is also equipped to advise on the IP aspects of transactions. Tom Scourfield is a key practitioner for his representation of key brands, while Louise Gellman focuses on the protection, exploitation and enforcement of trade marks, with notable expertise in the Madrid system. Team members are primarily based in London with presence in Warsaw also.

Gill Jennings & Every LLP‘s client roster features well-known names across industry sectors, from WWE to Pfizer, on the contentious and non-contentious range of trade mark work. Team lead Alasdair MacQuarrie harnesses 30 years’ experience in the breadth of trade mark matters, with expertise in pharma, entertainment and fashion, amongst other sectors; his expertise spans ‘the wide world of trade marks’ according to clients. Edward Carstairs is well-regarded for his ‘invaluable expertise in navigating complex trade mark landscapes’ and handles freedom to operate, filing strategy, opposition and protection matters as part of his practice. Strategy, filing, prosecution and enforcement are all areas of experience of Alice Anderson whose sector specialisms are food, beverage and hospitality.

The practice at Haseltine Lake Kempner LLP has capabilities assisting its clients in matters including filing and prosecution, those regarding the protection and exploitation of marks, and the management of portfolios. Additionally, the team is well-equipped to handle disputes. The triumvirate at the helm are Jason Dainty and Amanda Mallon who split their time between London and Leeds and Chris Morris‘ whose main offices are London and Bristol. Dainty’s workload includes both the contentious and non-contentious, including brand protection and strategy-related cases. Mallon manages numerous global trade mark portfolios, while Morris has expertise in registrability objection matters and in advising on enforcement strategy. Leeds and London based Rachel Hearson is a key practitioner. Richard Kempner retired in May 2024, while Carl Steele joined from Ashfords LLP in May 2025.

Keltie‘s offering is well-placed to act for well-known clients across various industry sectors. Tasneem Madani and Catherine Jennings joined the team in February 2025, from Stobbs IP and Tomkins IP, respectively. Rosemary Cardas is able to handle the contentious, including defending clients in opposition matters, invalidations and revocation proceedings, as well as appeals. Charlotte Wilding’s areas of sector expertise include beauty, entertainment, finance and telecoms, amongst many others. Manuela Macchi manages global portfolios, and advises on matters from clearance searches and prosecution, to due diligence projects and oppositions. Macchi co-leads the team alongside Alistair Gay who also manages global portfolios and harnesses particular experience in enforcement matters.

Trade mark and brand protection matters including opposition and enforcement, pre-litigation and dispute resolution cases are all features of Marks & Clerk‘s workload. Industry sectors covered by the team include creative and entertainment, fashion and retail, financial services, food and drink, and tech. Simon Mounteney and Robin Oxley co-lead from London alongside Birmingham-based Esther Gottschalk who has capabilities handling matters in EU and UK IP regarding the range of trade mark and branding-related issues. Also in Birmingham, John Ferdinand advises on searches, applications, oppositions and contentious actions in both domestic and international contexts. London’s Kirsten Gilbert is an experienced practitioner, and Oxford’s Samantha Collins is also noteworthy. Alison Melling retired in July 2024.

Wilson Gunn‘s collective is able to assist noteworthy clientele across sectors including sport, food and beverage, and entertainment, amongst many others. Managing and advising on global portfolios forms a predominant portion of the team’s workload, as well as related opposition and prosecution work. Manchester-based Michael Douglas spearheads the group and assists a number of well-known clients with the array of issues. At the same office, James Robey harnesses 20 years’ experience in trade mark and design disputes in particular, David Slattery deals with protection cases, and the ‘exceptionally talented’ Marc Lewis manages a number of portfolios and handles international opposition proceedings. Tim Rose is the key practitioner in Birmingham.

The group at Appleyard Lees is well-placed to assist its well-known clients in the breadth of contentious and non-contentious trade mark cases. Its workload includes handling cross-opposition and invalidation proceedings before the UKIPO and acting for its clients in disputes including infringements. Robert Cumming oversees the team from Leeds and harnesses a specialism in domestic and cross-border litigation. Halifax-based Paul Brandon handles filing and prosecution matters, while Cambridge’s Chris Hoole's workload features advising clients on anti-counterfeiting campaigns. Also in Cambridge is key name Beverley Robinson. Advising SMEs on IP issues is Manchester-based Graham Johnson‘s area of expertise. Arnie Francis joined from Gowling WLG in January 2025, and Simon Bradbury departed in December 2024.

Bates Wells‘ practice assists such well-known names on the remit of trade mark issues. Mathew Healey heads up the team and is equipped to handle UK and EU trade mark issues including clearance, registration and enforcement. Wendy Grey‘s sector specialisms include tech, fashion, pharma and oil and gas, while protection and enforcement specialist Laura Morrish joined the team from Novagraaf in October 2024, and is equipped to assist non-profits and various businesses in such cases. Catharina Waller retired from practice in April 2025.

The team at Dehns is well-versed in trade mark opposition and appeals matters and acting for clients in various disputes before both UK and EU courts, which is the area of specialism of Paul Harris. ‘Great strategist’ Elaine Deyes handles trade mark matters across such industry sectors as banking and finance, pharma and entertainment. Other key figures include senior partner Elizabeth Jones, noted for her expertise in life sciences and biotechnology, and Oxford-based managing partner Adrian Samuels, who boasts a strong track record in engineering and physics-related patent work. The ‘very diligent’ Brighton-based Clare Mann is noteworthy and has expertise in complex portfolio management. Joseph Letang retired in December 2024.

‘Leader in his field’ Chris McLeod has capabilities assisting with clearance, prosecution, contentious and design work. McLeod oversees the team at Elkington + Fife LLP which is experienced assisting its roster of clients, which features a number of well-known brands, in matters from portfolio management, to strategy, to opposition and prosecution cases. Allister McManus focuses in large part on opposition, pre-litigation and settlement cases. Mark Scott is the name to note in Sevenoaks, with expertise in chemistry and mechanical engineering-related cases in particular.

The practice at Fieldfisher is well-placed to advise on contentious and non-contentious brand matters and infringement disputes relating to emerging tech. The team’s ‘stellar client list’ features such names as Google, Dell and Caffè Nero. Hastings Guise helms the group and acts for well-known clients across industry sectors. Harriet Seymour is a key practitioner in the team, as is Amy Reynolds, whose workload includes managing portfolios for internationally-known brands, and handling trade mark prosecution cases. John Linneker departed in November 2024, while Victoria Bentley joined from Shoosmiths LLP in March 2025.

The collective at Lewis Silkin is well-equipped to assist with the array of trade mark cases. Its matters range from advising on filing and prosecution, strategy, licensing, enforcement and the range of disputes. Abigail Wise specialises in the management of portfolios and trade mark protection and enforcement. Nick Bowie acts for various clients in complex rebranding disputes as part of his practice. Abigail Wise is considered ‘exceptional’ by clients. Tom Gaunt spearheads the team. Flora Cook arrived in October 2024, while Jade MacIntyre joined in March 2025. John Hornby departed in March 2024 and Nick Allan in November 2024.

Mathys & Squire LLP‘s practice is helmed from London by Helen Cawley who has expertise handling the whole life cycle of trade marks, from clearance searches through to enforcement, for clients from large multinational companies and charities, to SMEs. Contentious matters and opposition proceedings form a large portion of the team’s workload, alongside trade mark filing and portfolio management work. Birmingham’s Rebecca Tew harnesses over 25 years’ experience in contentious and non-contentious IP. London’s Harry Rowe is also a name to note, as is Margaret Arnott. At the same office, Juliet Redhouse departed in November 2024.

Reddie & Grose LLP‘s team is helmed by Steve Howe, Julie Milburn and Tom Sharman who advises on the array of issues concerning trade mark, patent and registered design portfolios. Helen Wakerley is a key name with particular expertise in the automotive sector, while Alice Findlay has experience handling infringement disputes. Dale Carter‘s areas of specialism include filing, prosecution, opposition and cancellation cases. Isabelle Tate handles prosecution and enforcement matters. Patrick Lloyd and Simon Goodman both retired in March 2024.

Adamson Jones, part of Gateley houses a team which supports its clients through the variety of trade mark matters, including advising on clearance, registrability, applications and portfolio management in both national and international contexts. The offering is headed up by David Gwilliam. Natasha Walker is considered ‘exceptional’ by clients, and her varied workload includes handling opposition matters and executing invalidity actions. Both are based in Nottingham.

Brabners LLP‘s group is based across Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool and is experienced assisting its substantial client roster on the broad array of trade mark issues. Colin Bell heads up the team and has expertise advising clients including tech companies and sports associations on all aspects of IP. Sara Ludlam specialises in contractual and litigious IP matters. Fashion industry expert Hannah Fawcett is a name to note in the team, as is Hayley Morgan.

Dentons‘ group is equipped to advise its noteworthy clients on non-contentious cases, brand enforcement, and in litigious contexts. Anna Copeman manages global trade mark portfolios and advises well-known clients on their media rights as part of her practice, and helms the team. Anna Brown assists clients in complex disputes, as does Jennifer Cass, who made partner in May 2024, and is well-regarded by clients for her ‘deep experience in brand-related disputes’. Sinead Mahon is also a name to note.

Fox Williams LLP‘s group is headed up by Simon Bennett who has experience advising on the creation, protection, exploitation and enforcement of trade marks. Sarah Redmond is a key name with 30 years’ experience handling design and trade mark prosecution work, while Stephen Sidkin specialises in the licensing of rights. Daniella Garvey is a name to note. Lucy Marlow joined the team from JMW Solicitors LLP in March 2025.

The practice at Novagraaf is noted for its ‘strong EU presence’ and its workload incorporates advising on trade mark enforcement and protection, filing strategies, registrations and portfolio management matters. Its industry specialisms include chemistry, hospitality and life sciences, amongst many others. Vanessa Harrow oversees the team, recent changes to which include the 2024 arrivals of Aaron Wood in April, and of Farhan Kazi in November, from Brandsmiths and Knights plc, respectively. Additional changes include the September departure of Laura Morrish, and the January 2025 departure of Luke Portnow.

The team at Swindell & Pearson Ltd is based in Derby and headed up by Kieron Taylor, who is particularly experienced in contentious cases. The group’s workload includes advising on filings, opposition matters at the UKIPO and portfolio management cases, amongst others. Former team lead Nick Womsley retired in January 2025, and Amelia Skelding joined the team in the same month and has expertise advising on prosecution, registration, clearance, and filing strategy. Skelding joined the team from Keltie.

Handling international trade mark disputes and advising on brand issues are areas of expertise for Roland Mallinson, who heads up Taylor Wessing LLP‘s practice alongside Alison Cole. Cole specialises in managing brand portfolios and advising on related issues. Simon Jupp specialises in trade mark litigation, portfolio-related strategy and advertising cases. The team’s client list features well-known names across various industries, from tech and media to food and beverage.