Burges Salmon LLP‘s deep bench of IP experts boasts a full-service offering, spanning the exploitation and protection of IP rights, licensing arrangements, trade mark litigation, and domain name disputes. Renowned ‘commercially-minded litigation heavyweight’ Jeremy Dickerson leads the team, acting for an impressive roster of blue-chip clients in both contentious and transactional IP matters. Helen Scott-Lawler supports clients across the food and drink, retail, nuclear and defence sectors, while Emily Roberts specialises in IP and trade mark disputes.

The highly regarded intellectual property team at Ashfords LLP provides an ‘international-standard service’ in the South West, managing the trade mark portfolios of global clients, as well as acting in trade mark prosecutions and litigation. At the helm, trade mark expert Clare Jackman harnesses cross-sectoral expertise in the pharmaceutical, luxury goods, media and technology industries. Brett Lambe is developing key expertise in IP issues pertaining to the development and usage of AI tools, while Jenny Guild specialises in international brand protection and portfolio management. Former practice head Carl Steele left the firm in May 2025, and Daniel Cahill departed in July 2024.

The IP team at Michelmores LLP stands out for its continued support of fast-growth and disruptive businesses at the start-up and scale-up stage, alongside a strong roster of established consumer brand clients. In Exeter, practice head David Thompson boasts a particularly robust consumer brands practice; Charles Courtenay specialises in cross-border and domestic IP and technology disputes; and the ‘excellent’ Tom Torkar advises clients, notably high-growth tech companies, on IP, data protection and business transformation. Philippa Collison is another key contact.

BPE Solicitors LLP has expanded its IP practice, with an increased focus on trade mark litigation, alongside expanding sectoral expertise in the AI, robotics, and manufacturing industries. Riyaz Jariwalla leads the team in Cheltenham, specialising in IP disputes, particularly involving trade mark infringement, passing off and defamation.

The IP offering at Foot Anstey was significantly bolstered by the arrival of Ben Travers from Knights plc in September 2024. Travers now heads the firm’s ‘exceptional’ IP practice, and acts for national and international clients in the retail and consumer sector. Peter Singfield and Charlene Nelson are other names to note in the firm’s Exeter office.

Recommended for its ‘fierce dedication and tireless work ethic’, the specialist team at Humphreys & Co. fields particularly strong expertise in IP litigation and trade mark prosecution. The practice is helmed by longstanding IP expert Robert Humphreys, working alongside the ‘very knowledgeable’ Tristan Morse and Ruth Annand.

Stephens Scown LLP is well-regarded for its market-leading trade mark filing practice, while also acting for clients in high-profile litigation involving enforcement and infringement actions. In Exeter, practice head Thomas Chartres-Moore advises leading food and drink sector clients on the creation of trade mark portfolios and IP exploitation. Other key names include Amy Ralston and Becky Pickford.

Led by the ‘exceptional and highly professional’ Megan Jefferies, Thrings LLP is turned to by SMEs, individuals, and international organisations for data protection, technology, and IP issues. Jeffries is noted for a robust dispute resolution and litigation practice, acting for clients before the courts and EU and UK intellectual property offices.

The Yeovil-based IP team at Battens Solicitors Limited handles a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters, notably within the creative arts, media and entertainment industries. Working between Bath and Yeovil, Brian Levine leverages decades of entertainment sector expertise to advise on non-contentious IP issues, while Peter Livingstone specialises in commercial disputes.

Integrated within the firm’s commercial team, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP’s IP practice draws on the group’s ‘seamless blend of expertise’ to advise clients on the full range of IP-related matters. Based in the Cheltenham office, the ‘exceptional’ Rebecca Steer is noted for her deep expertise in intellectual property, supported by a strong IT and technology-focused practice.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys‘s IP offering spans the firm’s dispute resolution and commercial teams, rendering the firm well-equipped to provide comprehensive IP advice in both contentious and transactional matters. In Cheltenham, Steven Murray leads the IP and technology disputes practice, while Steve Thomas heads the commercial team.

Based in Bournemouth, the IP team at Laceys advises clients across a broad range of sectors, namely manufacturing, retail and hospitality, with a growing presence in the technology space. Sam Freeman leads the practice, supported by contentious IP-expert Brendan Herbert and Edwina Bones.

Spearheaded by Rebecca Anforth, the ‘very knowledgeable and experienced team’ at Murrell Associates LLP offers comprehensive support to clients in a range of intellectual property, data protection, and technology matters. The IP practice is noted for an expanding specialism in trade mark and international registration applications.

Spencer West LLP comes recommended for its ‘prompt and cogent’ IP advice, particularly involving trade mark and design portfolios, as well as brand protection and infringement disputes. The ‘outstanding’ Jowanna Conboye heads the South West practice, working alongside IT and IP-expert Edmund Probert.

TLT‘s ‘excellent’ IP offering in the South West continues to develop its practice, advising an expanding roster of clients on AI and digital transformation. Nick Fenner provides ‘sound legal advice’ on major IP projects and disputes, while Sanjay Raphael specialises in international brand management.

Trethowans LLP‘s Bournemouth IP practice is turned to by clients for its reputation in trade mark filing and portfolio management, particularly following the arrival of the ‘very experienced’ Laura Trapnell in 2023. Trapnell leverages extensive expertise in trade mark portfolios and brand protection, as well as IP litigation.