With a sizeable team and a ‘solid contentious and non-contentious understanding’, Ashfords LLP administers global trade mark portfolios for a host of high-profile clients. The practice is a popular choice for companies looking to register and maintain IP rights as well as engage in prosecution and invalidity proceedings. Working closely with the firm’s corporate and private equity teams, the practice also counts transactional IP work among its areas of strength. Carl Steele is the practice head and has particular experience in the retail goods and services, and consumer brand sectors. Brand protection, portfolio management and enforcement actions are part of Clare Jackman‘s advisory portfolio. Mark Lomas retired in 2022, while Andrew Braithwaite left for an in-house position in the same year.

Burges Salmon LLP has a broad intellectual property offering that covers strategic advice, brand enforcement, and IP litigation, and is a popular choice for high-profile clients such as the BBC and Starbucks. The Bristol-based practice is headed up by the ‘immensely commercial’ Jeremy Dickerson, who manages portfolios and acts in disputes for national and global brands from various sectors. Helen Scott-Lawler is a go-to adviser for clients in non-contentious matters, while Emily Roberts is particularly experienced in disputes, including those pertaining to breach of confidence, designs, and trade marks. Georgina Shaw left the firm for an in-house position in June 2022.

The IP group at Osborne Clarke LLP, known for its sector-focused approach, is seamlessly integrated into the firm’s wider commercial offering and provides a one-stop shop for an enviable client roster. Technology and digital business, defence, and food and drink are a few of the practice’s core sectors which benefit from the team’s in-depth experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Clare Robinson, whose IP expertise is complemented by a strong understanding of commercial disputes, leads the Bristol-based team. The use of IP rights in the technology and defence sectors constitutes areas of focus for Douglas Peden. Technology specialist Will Robertson and associate director Becky Crawford are further core members of the practice.

BPE Solicitors LLP is renowned for its strength in contentious and non-contentious copyright, trade mark and design rights matters, where the group handles portfolios on a national and global level. Practice head Riyaz Jariwalla is a commercial litigation specialist with a focus on IP whose know-how extends to the telecoms, fashion and manufacturing sectors.

Humphreys & Co. continues to have a vibrant practice in the IP space, where the firm’s experience spans trade marks, copyright and designs. With a diverse client portfolio that includes a number of international household names, the practice is well situated to manage and defend global IP portfolios across a range of sectors including the electronics, retail, education, and finance industries. The team consists of practice head Robert Humphreys, the ‘well-prepared’ Tristan Morse, and senior associate Ruth Annand.

At Michelmores LLP, the IP practice has a strong presence in the South West but also advises international clients in contentious and non-contentious matters. With strong capabilities in the food and drink as well as consumer brands sectors, the team works closely together with the firm’s corporate practice to advise on the IP aspects of transactions. David Thompson, who is particularly well versed in dealing with clients from the food and drink sector, and Charles Courtenay, whose experience includes cross-border, finance, and technology matters, act as joint practice heads. Brand protection and IP transactions are areas of expertise for associate Philippa Collison.

Geared towards assisting companies with registering, enforcing and protecting IP rights, Foot Anstey is a popular choice for both regional and international clients. The practice is split across the firm’s Bristol, Exeter and Southampton offices, and is led by IP specialist Paul Cox. Peter Singfield has in-depth expertise in the media sector, while legal director Annalisa Checchi has longstanding experience in the non-contentious IP space.

With a ‘very knowledgeable team’ and ‘sound advice’, Thrings LLP remains a go-to outfit for SMEs in the South West, though the firm also attracts a range of instructions from international clients, including those hailing from Canada and China. Megan Jefferies leads the practice and is particularly well versed in data protection and IP litigation, where she has appeared before UK and EU intellectual property authorities.

From small businesses to international corporations, Keystone Law offers assistance with dispute resolution and strategic advice on all IP rights, including trade marks, patents and designs. Jessica Bent is a go-to adviser for clients from the creative, digital, and technology sectors, while Charlie White is well versed in commercial and IP arrangements.

Stephens Scown LLP is known for its vibrant trade mark practice, where the firm handles portfolios for both domestic and international clients. The team has further specialisms in a number of IP-related topics, such as influencer marketing, IP audits, and dispute resolution. Following the departure of Ben Travers to Knights PLC in November 2022, Thomas Chartres-Moore took over as practice head; he regularly advises clients within the food and drink sector.

Blue-chip companies, startups, and regional businesses instruct TLT on the full range of IP matters. The practice works closely together with the firm’s London office to handle licenses, IP and brand protection work, and trade mark portfolios with a strong international dimension. James Touzel is the key contact for Bristol.

Based in Cheltenham, Willans LLP‘s IP practice offers a broad range of experience in both contentious and non-contentious IP matters. The leadership of the team is split between the dispute-focused Paul Gordon and Kym Fletcher, who specialises in non-contentious work and has extensive knowledge of the sports, technology and media sectors.

At Battens Solicitors Limited, the IP practice advises on trade marks, copyrights, and licensing issues, among others, with strong ties to clients in the creative industry. Media and entertainment specialist Brian Levine is active across the firm’s Bath, Yeovil and London offices, and heads up the practice together with Yeovil-based Peter Livingstone.

Laceys‘ intellectual property division is noted for advising clients in industries such as the retail, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors on IP matters. Led by corporate partner Sam Freeman, the group covers transactions and dispute resolution alongside trade mark registrations and strategic advice.

At Truro-based outfit Murrell Associates LLP, legal director Rebecca Anforth leads the IP practice, which handles a broad range of matters including brand protection work, enforcement strategies, and influencer agreements. Alongside experience in data protection and commercial issues, Anforth is well versed in advising clients in the technology sector.

With a South West offering in Exeter, Spencer West LLP‘s IP team is particularly active in advising clients across four distinct areas: the environmental and renewable energy space, the sports industry, the health and wellbeing arena, and startups emerging out of regional universities. Practice head Jowanna Conboye and Edmund Probert are the key names and both have broad experience dealing with IP matters such as trade marks and designs.

With specialisms in the technology, IP, media, creative and digital sectors, boutique firm Steer & Co supports clients through the full IP lifecycle, including advising on franchising, enforcement, licensing, and protection issues regarding trade marks, designs, and other forms of intellectual property. The ‘pragmatic’ Rebecca Steer heads up the practice and is a popular choice for deep tech and creative companies.