Howes Percival LLP is best known to clients in the fashion, software, and food & drink sectors, where it is well-placed to advise on IP and trade mark portfolios, as well as IP litigation. Seasoned litigator Matthew Talbot helms the practice and specialises in food and drink matters. Hannah Steggles has a wealth of experience across contentious and non-contentious matters, with notable strength in patent, trade mark, and design right litigation. With a similarly broad practice, Jenna Bruce acts for software and media clients on licenses, assignments, and intellectual property disputes. Stephen Ruse adds particular depth on infringement matters across the board.

Potter Clarkson LLP remains a preeminent practice for intellectual property in the region, with a team praised by its clients as ‘innovative, hard working and extremely competent’ across its comprehensive offering. A key stream of work for the team is litigation and contentious matters, where co-head of the department Richard Roberts is a go-to contact, lending his experience from litigation across a variety of tribunals to clients in the chemical, automotive, and retail sectors, while co-head Nick McDonald advises on a varied stream of work including cross-border litigation and overall IP strategy. At the helm of the firm’s licensing and IP transactions team, Oliver Laing has particular expertise in the life sciences and electronic & computing industries. Dave Holt‘s far-reaching practice covers cross-border licensing, collaboration agreements, and patent disputes. With a similarly broad practice, Georgia Carr‘s contentious expertise is strengthened by her transactional experience.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP maintains a strong position in the market within IP litigation, acting before the Patents Court and High Court across a range of sectors. The firm also continues to act on R&D, sponsorship, merchandise, IP licensing, and IP reorganisations. Practice head Selina Hinchliffe is a trusted advisor on transactional and advisory matters across IP rights, while being active on the negotiation of agreements, including IP licensing, R&D, and collaboration. Ed Wright is rated for his technology, healthcare, and life science expertise and has experience extending to the disclosure and protection of confidential information, the acquisition of software, and the protection of IP.

Browne Jacobson LLP is at the forefront of the market, with a client list comprised of major British brands and an increasing caseload from the automotive, green tech, and higher education industries. The team also fields an active IP litigation practice, where Nirmal Trivedy is a name to note within the education, manufacturing, and retail sectors. Another key name is Kulpreet Virdi, who is an active advisor on IP agreements, including R&D agreements, licensing agreements, and funding agreements, with recent work advising on merchandise agreements for video gaming streamers.

Geldards LLP is reputed for the depth of its expertise in the sports, media, and entertainment sectors, while also offering a comprehensive offering spanning the inception of IPR through to corporate transactions with an IP element. Team lead Jamie Goldberg acts primarily for high-profile athletes on image rights licenses and IP issues arising from their commercial activities, while also advising on a breadth of IP matters. Saima Shabir combines commercial and data protection knowledge with experience on IP assignments, supply, agency, and distribution agreements.

Under the leadership of Emma Toes, Nelsons Solicitors Limited is praised by its clients for its team that ‘approaches every case with precision, professionalism, and a client-focused mindset’. Toes ‘consistently demonstrates exceptional legal acumen and a solution-oriented approach’ across her far-reaching practice, and has experience in contentious matters before the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and UK Intellectual Property Office.