Leveraging the expertise of its 22 dedicated IP lawyers, the ‘commercially minded’ Brodies LLP team provides tailored advice on all aspects of patent and soft IP infringement litigation, complex regulatory issues, and data protection measures. Boasting an extensive client-base, including pharmaceutical multinationals, energy corporations, and UK-based food entities, the contentious offering is spearheaded by Iain Rutherford, who specialises in online defamation and IT supplier disputes. On the non-contentious side, Grant Campbell leads, while Martin Sloan focuses on the licensing and exploitation of IP. From Glasgow, Allison Bryce is knowledgeable on trade mark protection strategy, and both Andy Nolan and Grant Strachan are noted for their commercial contract and regulatory insights. Inverness-based Ally Burr and Glasgow’s Monica Connolly are also cited as key figures in the offering. All lawyers are Edinburgh-based unless otherwise stated.

Acting on behalf of clients within the life sciences, entertainment, and financial services sectors, Burness Paull LLP has a ‘deep understanding’ of both contentious and non-contentious IP issues. The practice is highly regarded for handling complex copyright infringement claims in the Court of Session, in addition to assisting with broad IP enforcement activity across multiple jurisdictions. Based out of Glasgow, both Colin Hulme and Colin Miller co-head the outfit. Hulme regularly advising in high-profile IP litigation claims, while Miller primarily focuses on due diligence and licensing elements within M&A. From Edinburgh, David Goodbrand concentrates on data transfers and tech agreements. Glasgow-based Megan Briggs and Rebecca Albett are noted for their contentious expertise.

Fielding a strong patent disputes offering, combined with trade mark infringement expertise, the CMS practice follows a ‘super pragmatic’ approach when representing its clients from across the energy, life science, and media industries. The team has experience of enforcing IP rights on M&A transactions and joint ventures, as well as managing patent portfolios for multinationals. Glasgow-based head Carina Healy specialises in licensing and commercialisation of IP, notably in the biotech and medtech sectors. Neeraj Thomas is a renowned IP litigator, Alan Nelson primarily focuses on commercial contracts and outsourcing deals, and Duncan Turner is a non-contentious IP expert. David Dennis primarily focuses on the healthcare space. Kimberley Cross  is also recommended.

Fielding a team of experts in copyright and patent infringement litigation, Pinsent Masons LLP regularly represents a host of British and international clients from across the sports, tech, and energy sectors. The practice has considerable experience in advising on commercial collaboration agreement and complex IP contracts, with the Edinburgh-based co-heads, George Campbell and Jim Cormack KC, specialising in all aspects of contentious and transactional IP matters. From Glasgow, David Woods assists businesses in the financial services, retail, and university sectors. In Edinburgh, Chris Martin primarily focuses on data and IP rights issues, and Gillian Anderson is knowledgeable on trade mark disputes.

Demonstrating considerable strength in the GDPR and cybersecurity realm, alongside securing patent and IP licenses, the Anderson Strathern practice is highly regarded by large institutional and SME tech clients for its ‘good practical advice’. The team is jointly chaired by Douglas McLachlan, Simon Brown, and Katrina Lumsdaine, who cumulatively bring vast knowledge in contentious and transactional IP matters to the firm. The group works across Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The Glasgow-based Dentons team has in-depth expertise in managing IP portfolios, advising on patent licensing agreements, and handling complex trade mark disputes on behalf of Scottish and multinational entities. Steered by practice head  Steph Innes, an expert in IP rights issues and concession agreements, the team is especially knowledgeable in the energy, life sciences, and tech sectors. Other key figures include the ‘superb’ Ryan Kellingray, who specialises in contentious trade mark matters; Ian Barrie, who primarily focuses on brand protection issues;  as well as Michael Livingston-Rahal and Erin Mackenzie.

Consistently handling multi-jurisdictional brand protection matters, new trade mark applications, and copyright infringement claims, the Harper Macleod LLP practice is renowned for its ‘excellent knowledge’. Splitting his time between Glasgow and Edinburgh, Jamie Watt leads the group, primarily focusing on cybersecurity and copyright law issues. Glasgow-based E-Ming Fong helps companies in safeguarding their IP rights, while Scott Kerr - who works in Edinburgh - is a data protection expert. Anne Cornelius is a further key contact in Glasgow.

The ’versatile and adaptable’ practice at Morton Fraser MacRoberts routinely represents Scotland’s large public and private sector organisations in complex copyright infringement and trade mark protection disputes. Euan Duncan, who leads the team from Edinburgh, specialises in the tech, media, and life sciences sectors. David Gourlay stands out for his brand protection work, while Valerie Armstrong-Surgenor is knowledgeable on the commercialisation of IP rights. Julie Hamilton focuses on contractual claims. Andrew Walker is also recommended.

Acting on behalf of clients in the education, life sciences, and tech industries, Thorntons Law LLP has extensive experience in securing cross-border trade mark registrations and managing IP portfolios. Operating across both Glasgow and Edinburgh, Liam McMonagle has vast expertise in cybersecurity and software matters. In Dundee, Loretta Maxfield is a data protection expert, and Lesley Larg focuses on brand protection affairs. Also in Dundee, Kirsty Stewart stands out for her non-contentious trade mark work. Anne Miller is also recommended.

Displaying substantial recent growth in the life sciences, retail, and tech sectors, the DLA Piper team specialises in advising on brand protection matters and IP licensing agreements. Based in Edinburgh, John McKinlay is a non-contentious IP expert, primarily assisting international private and public sector clients. Catriona Melton is a data protection specialist, and Jamie O’Neill focuses on commercial contract issues.

With a special focus on the retail, consumer, and life sciences industries, the team at Addleshaw Goddard – led by the ‘really practical’ Ross Nicol – has a transactional IP focus, covering trade mark filing and patent licensing procedures. In Glasgow, Nicol is an expert on software licensing and franchise agreements, Alan Sinclair primarily focuses on IP rights disputes, while Calum Fisher is also a key figure.

Counting major multinational companies and high-net-worth individuals among its key clients, BTO Solicitors LLP stands out for its trade mark and copyright infringement offering, in tandem with its data protection insight. Based in Edinburgh, Paul Motion spearheads the team, specialising in copyright licensing and recording contract matters, while Lynn Richmond advises on all aspects of IP transactions. Lauren McFarlane and Lily Morrison are also cited as key contacts.