With ‘unmatched expertise and deep understanding of the law‘, DMH Stallard LLP is well regarded for its intellectual property practice. Equipped with both contentious and non-contentious specialists, the firm handles a range of enforcement and protection issues, complex licensing structures and royalties agreements, including acting on cross-border matters. The firm demonstrates particular strength in the manufacturing and technology sectors, with an increasing focus on software-related IP matters. Tim Ashdown, based across London and Brighton, and John Yates, in Gatwick, lead the contentious and non-contentious teams respectively. Robert Ganpatsingh, also based in Gatwick, has experience in contentious matters involving design rights, patents, copyright and trade marks, while Debbie Venn in Brighton is highly regarded for her non-contentious TMT practice. Rebecca Leeves and Beatrice Bass, also in Brighton, are also key names to note.

Boutique IP firm Palmer Biggs IP, Solicitors is described by clients as having ‘very talented lawyers’ that are ‘business-oriented, approachable and responsive‘. The practice, led by the ‘exceptional’ Steve Palmer, is well regarded for its expertise in enforcement issues, brand protection, trade mark and design work, including filings, registrations and portfolio management issues, and IP dispute resolution. The firm has a strong international presence and often advises high-profile brands on trade mark portfolios and brand management work. Charles Lawless is a key name to note for his IP litigation experience. The firm is based in Gatwick.

Offering ‘clear, pragmatic and timely‘ advice to clients on a range of matters involving patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and database rights, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has a breadth of ‘highly professional and knowledgeable‘ IP lawyers. On the contentious side, the firm is active in IP enforcement work and filing disputes across jurisdictions, and in the non-contentious space, the firm is equipped to deal with licensing, collaboration and R&D agreements. The national practice is co-led by Chris Shelley, based in Oxford, and Anna Frankum, in London. Meanwhile in Reading, Joanne Vengadesan and Daniel Berry co-lead the IP team in the South. Holly Strube is a key contact in Oxford for clients in the fashion and luxury goods sectors.

The ‘outstanding’ IP team at Stevens & Bolton LLP regularly acts for a roster of high-profile and international clients and has a particular sector focus across the life sciences, technology and media, gaming, fashion and food and drink industries. Key types of work for the firm include contentious IP issues, brand protection and enforcement work, strategic licensing issues, franchising work and transactional advice, with increasing activity in international patent licensing, data breaches, and brand management work.  The practice, based in Guildford, is led by Tom Lingard who is a ‘specialist in trade mark management’, while Charlotte Tillett, Elaine O’Hare, and Tom Collins are also highly regarded for their IP expertise across the board.

Boyes Turner, based in Reading, is well regarded for its cross-border IP expertise in the technology, media and publishing sectors. The firm has both contentious experience, including handling infringements across jurisdictions, and involvement in a range of non-contentious issues, including brand guardianships, licensing issues, acquisition-related IP matters and work relating to the protection and exploitation of IP rights. The practice is led by Sarah Williamson, who is able to ‘combine an endearing personality with an extremely effective negotiation style’, and who has in-depth experience of the commercialisation and protection of IP rights. Helen Dobson is also regarded for her broad IP practice focusing on the telecoms, software, transport and retail sectors.

Cripps is well regarded for its advice on the commercialisation and exploitation of IP rights as well as handling IP audits. The firm also assists clients with IP disputes and due diligence underpinning corporate transactions. The practice, based in Tunbridge Wells, is led by Irfan Baluch, who has particular IP portfolio expertise in the crypto, blockchain and NFT development spaces. Matthew Holman has recently joined the firm from EMW Law LLP and is well known for his specialism in data protection and information rights. Phil Bilney is well regarded for his experience in the technology and creative sectors.

Offering a ‘very personal service’, the practice at Howes Percival LLP was recently bolstered by its acquisition of Oxford-based specialist commercial, IP and media law firm, Maier Blackburn. The firm has in-depth experience of the creative industries and merchandising issues, as well as the technology and manufacturing sectors. Described as ‘engaging, efficient and thorough‘, Cathleen Blackburn is known for her expertise in cross-border copyright issues in the academic publishing space, while Steven Maier has expertise in IP disputes; both are based in Oxford. Practice head James Howarth, based across Milton Keynes and Oxford, is another experienced litigator with a background in the publishing and high-tech manufacturing spaces.

Moorcrofts LLP is well regarded for its notable expertise in open source licence compliance, and the firm has a strong technology and software focus, advising on IP rights such as copyright and database rights including protective strategies and licensing arrangements. Andrew Katz leads the practice based in Marlow and has prior experience as a software engineer. Tim Astley is another key name for his experience in technology and IP.

Described as ‘personable, professional and proactive’, the team at White & Black Limited is well regarded for advising life sciences, technology and retail businesses on the development, protection and exploitation of intellectual property. The Oxford-based practice is led by the ‘excellent’ Phil Thompson and the ‘seriously impressive’ Victoria Wright, who is highly regarded for her role as an IP litigator.

With ‘profound knowledge of UK intellectual property law’, Birkett Long LLP acts on a spectrum of matters, including original patent and trade mark filing and prosecution mandates. The team, based in Colchester, is led by Jonathan Perlmutter, who is well regarded for his expertise in multi-jurisdictional trade mark work, international filing strategies, and opposition to third-party trade marks. He is joined by Christopher Burnett, who has an array of experience in contentious patent work.

Following a merger with the IP team of Clarke Willmott LLP, the team at Foot Anstey is well equipped to handle both contentious and non-contentious IP matters. With a focus on the retail and consumer sectors, the firm has a broad range of clients and often assists with the IP aspects of M&A transactions including IP due diligence and ancillary IP-related agreements as well as trade mark filings and a range of IP disputes. Following the departure of former practice head Paul Cox and Chandni Jobanputra in 2024, Charlene Nelson is now the primary contact.

Following its merger with Taylor Vinters in early 2023, Mishcon de Reya LLP has expanded its IP offering based in Oxford. The firm has experience in contentious matters, particularly in the EU courts, as well as offering specific advice on trade mark and design management issues. Hugh Tebay and Gayle Curry offer a range of international IP expertise in Oxford, often acting alongside the firm's London office. The group has a strong presence in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, with particular emphasis on new technologies in these areas.

Acting on a number of trade mark portfolio issues including pre-filing searches, filing applications and oppositions, Moore Barlow offers its clients strong IP experience to support on commercial transactions. John Warchus leads the Guildford-based team and provides advice across IP strategies, disputes, licensing arrangements and due diligence in relation to M&A deals. Dorothy Agnew, based in Southampton, is a key name to note for her work regarding the protection of IPR and transactional work.

Following the departure of  former practice head Laura Trapnell to Trethowans LLP, Paris Smith LLP‘s Southampton-based IP team is led by Crispin Dick, specialising in commercial IP issues such as product licensing work, naming agreements and sponsorship mandates. The team has experience in maintaining trade mark portfolios and handles oppositions to third party applications and renewals, often with a cross-border element. Celia Lloyd Davidson has recently joined the firm.

Field Seymour Parkes LLP supports its range of multi-sectoral clients on a range of matters including trade mark portfolio issues, copyright mandates, and registered designs. The team, led by Cathrine Ripley, is based in Reading and acts on both contentious and non-contentious matters, often supporting corporate transactions. Ripley has experience in the technology sector, dealing with the licensing of patents and handling EU trade mark work. Francesca Lombardi displays an array of experience in corporate-oriented intellectual property matters.