Intellectual Property: Midlands

This deeply impressive IP team is widely acknowledged as the strongest in the Midlands. The firm's distinctive structure, which sees its solicitors dividing their time between its London and Birmingham offices, allows it to provide a high-quality and seamless IP service to national and international clients. It is active on a wide variety of issues, in terms of both transactions and litigation, and its list of clients includes such notable organisations as Dyson, the Rugby Football Union and GlaxoSmithKline.

Client Service "The team is a delight to work with, and provides proper assistance and support."

Commercial Awareness "A strategically brilliant firm full of excellent individuals."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Barron is an outstanding litigator who is roundly praised by commentators for his expertise in patent matters and his continued presence at the coalface of contentious IP. Gordon Harris is head of the firm's IP practice. He specialises in contentious work and is an experienced mediator who continues to provide high-quality service to his clients. Cerryg Jones heads the brands team and is regularly described as a class act. As one of the firm's lawyers more frequently based in Birmingham, he is at the centre of its Midlands IP practice. Luke Kempton is known for his expertise in the life sciences arena. Commentators say he "is a real credit to the firm and always does a fantastic job for his clients." Patrick Duxbury is "an eminently sensible and experienced lawyer," with an outstanding track record in transactional IP matters within the life sciences sector. Nicholas Cunningham deals effectively with patent, design, copyright and trade mark litigation. Sources describe him as "personable, highly competent and very easy to deal with." Kate Swaine is a director within the team, and is an experienced and skilled brands and advertising specialist.

This excellent group works across offices in Nottingham and Birmingham, with additional support in London, and is able to call on strength in both contentious and non-contentious IP matters. Notable recent highlights include working with international construction company Mace on its global registration, opposition and infringement programme, and advising Streetwise Publications in relation to a copyright infringement claim. Clients are delighted with the firm's work, and say its solicitors "are approachable and commercial, and offer a broad range of expertise."

Client Service "They are user-friendly and informal, and you really get the sense of working in a team."

Commercial Awareness "They have a real grasp of our business, having taken the time to understand the market."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Declan Cushley is head of the firm's commercial group, and an experienced practitioner in IP matters. He recently advised National Lottery operator Camelot on its IP policy and in relation to infringement of its trade marks. Clients say he is "practical, proactive and very responsive; he always responds and acts very quickly." Peter Ellis is an experienced and highly capable contentious IP specialist. Sources commend his excellent work and his "superbly commercially oriented" approach. Mark Snelgrove is known as "a fine, technically skilled lawyer who is able to cut through the issues without getting sidetracked." He recently advised long-term client Hookedge on a trade mark issue relating to its Patrick Cox brand. Paula Dumbill continues to impress with her work in strategic IP. Clients praise the high quality of her service as well as her commercial viewpoint. Richard Roberts is new to the rankings, and is highlighted for his burgeoning reputation in IP litigation. Commentators admire his approach, which "shows a commitment to detail and commercial issues that is beyond the norm."

The Birmingham office of this noted international firm provides a high-quality service to its IP clients, and is plugged into the organisation's wider network in the UK and beyond. The team worked with colleagues in New York and China on the acquisition by Avon of Liz Earle Cosmetics, a globally significant transaction involving centrally important IP issues. It also recently advised Aga Rangemaster Group on a notable trade mark case, and defended Guidance Monitoring UK in patent infringement proceedings. Commentators admire the work of the team's solicitors, and note that "they've always been very strong on behalf of the client, and are precisely the kind of people you want fighting your corner."

Client Service "They are very responsive and tremendously organised, and queries are always dealt with extremely quickly."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Marie McMorrow heads the team and consistently demonstrates her excellence in heavyweight IP work. Clients say she is "incredibly gifted at presenting advice in the right way – she gauges the level of the people she's working with very well, which allows for openness and leads to genuine debate on strategy and how to manage negotiations."

Since publication Emma Higton has left the firm to take up an in-house position.

Martineau's IP group has a strong presence in the Midlands and a reputation for being an "extremely professional and knowledgeable" team. It has the capacity to handle contentious and non-contentious matters across a number of industries, and is as comfortable with technical patent work as it is with brand management and trade mark strategy. Notable recent clients include Aston University, Horstman Defence Systems and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. On 1st December 2011, Martineau merged with Sprecher Grier Halberstam to form SGH Martineau LLP.

Client Service "Any time we engage with the firm, the advice provided always takes into account the type of organisation we are and makes the whole process incredibly simple and easy."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Helen Driscoll heads the team and is known for her expertise in both contentious and non-contentious IP. Des Burley has an excellent reputation for his work in the IP sector, particularly with regard to matters involving universities and the hi-tech industries. Clients describe him as "extremely personable and welcoming, with great knowledge of his practice area." Zoe Robertson is a talented and increasingly experienced associate. Her recent highlights include assisting low-voltage cabling manufacturer Lastar in protecting its IP rights in the EU.

This strong Midlands firm is a standout participant in the IP marketplace, and has worked on a string of substantial engagements of late. Its lawyers are experienced across the full spectrum of IP matters, but are known for their particular expertise in relation to patents. The team's high-profile client list includes Poundland, Candlelight Products and The Health People Group. Recent highlights saw the team advise PRECOS, a spin-off from Nottingham University, on the transfer of IP and related licensing issues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nick Briggs leads the department and is known to clients as a "prompt, personable and thorough" solicitor with experience across the full breadth of IP. Mauro Paiano handles an interesting variety of trade mark, design and patent-related issues. Sources describe him as "practical, very responsive and generally a likeable and easy person to work with." Rebecca Lesniak is a new addition to the firm's Birmingham office, and brings with her a fine reputation and a range of experience in the field. Commentators praise Martin Noble for his "responsiveness, flexibility and technical knowledge." In the past year he has handled a range of matters, from branding advice to complex patent litigation.

This firm's Midlands-based teams demonstrate a high degree of proficiency in IP matters. The group has expertise in branding matters, but is perhaps best known for contentious and non-contentious work involving hi-tech. Its lawyers have extensive experience across sectors such as industrial engineering, utilities and renewable energy. Key clients include Severn Trent, AZ Electronic Materials and Loughborough University.

Commercial Awareness "They are excellent in terms of taking a pragmatic approach and advising on the various commercial options relating to any given legal matter."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of department James Fry is "an extremely incisive negotiator who really understands the nuances of all the points and never leaves an aspect overlooked." He advises an impressive list of clients, including the Olympic Park Legacy Company. 

Pinsent Masons has a full and admirable IP practice that continues to impress with its work both within the UK and internationally. It is able to draw on the resources of the wider firm, but is a significant and highly praised presence in its own right. It works with high-profile clients such as Halfords, Aviva and the Ministry of Defence on a variety of IP matters.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Cerys Wyn Davies heads the team and is highly regarded for her extensive experience, particularly in working on IP matters within the public sector.

This firm enters the rankings this year on the back of its growing strength and reputation in the sector, and an impressive record in IP matters. Its lawyers are particularly noted for their expertise in the third sector, advising charity clients. Sources say they are "extremely impressed with the practice as it offers excellent advice that is relevant to its clients' industries and organisations."

Client Service "They make the complex world and language of legal services less frightening and more accessible to my staff and me."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Emma Young has an excellent reputation for her work in this area. Clients say that "she is sympathetic, pleasant and easy to communicate with, and her written advice and correspondence is clear and to the point."

Cobbetts has an impressive practice with major strengths in brand protection, strategy and trade mark disputes. Its team has expertise in the technology and media sectors, and is well integrated with the firm's wider national network. Its strong client list includes Manchester International Festival and Fierce Earth.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Frances Anderson has a strong track record in a variety of IP issues, and recently advised the Milk Marketing Forum on the IP aspects of its 'Make Mine Milk' advertising campaign.

Wright Hassall has an established presence in the region's IP market, and maintains an excellent client base and footprint despite the loss of ranked partner Laurie Heizler to Spratt Endicott in Banbury. The team is especially strong on contentious matters, and has recently handled complex patent and copyright litigation. Notable clients include Wanzl and British Showjumping.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rhys Jarman is head of the department.