Brandsmiths

Firm overview:

The market acknowledges the rapid growth of IP boutique Brandsmiths since its founding in 2014; there is also some sentiment that behind this success is an “aggressive”, combative approach. However, a peer says that while Brandsmiths might be a “Marmite” firm, it has earned its place in the top tier on merit. The firm has a strong foothold in critical trademark litigation, particularly at appellate level, combined with a comprehensive prosecution practice—boosted by its April 2026 acquisition of the UK business of specialist IP practice Sipara.

The firm’s strengths lie predominantly in fashion/luxury, FMCG, entertainment, technology and sport, with notable clients across those sectors including Microsoft, Colgate-Palmolive, Iconix, Premier League clubs, and Hasbro / Peppa Pig. “They have an excellent depth of knowledge in IP,” says a satisfied client.

Team overview:

Brandsmiths’ team operates from London and Manchester, with Sipara’s newly acquired team also based in the capital. Women comprise 56% of the workforce and the firm supports hybrid working and flexible hours, among other inclusive working practices.

Founder and CEO Adam Morallee—who has represented Microsoft, BMW and Gucci, among other major brands—is “really good”, says a peer.

Andrew Lee is the head of IP and an experienced litigator, taking on the firm’s more high-profile matters in the High Court, IPEC, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, including the landmark Lifestyle Equities case. “No one knows trademark law like Andy Lee,” says a client, who adds that he “seems to just devour case law and be able to quote esoteric points off the cuff”. A peer comments that while Lee is not the right fit for all clients, he is a solid choice for those who want someone that knows the law and is prepared to vigorously fight for them—and deserves to be recognised as top-tier.

Head of litigation and the Manchester office, Michael Forrester has a wide range of experience across IP, media, sport and commercial legal work with a bias towards contentious matters. Praised by a client as being a “fantastic litigator”, his main focus is complex litigation problems or important deals for clients such as Spectrum Brands (Russell Hobbs, Remington, George Foreman) and Iconix (Umbro) as well as other fast growth companies and startups.

Head of trademarks, copyright and designs Stephen Lowry specialises in both contentious and non-contentious IP matters, and is leading one of the largest UKIPO disputes with over 100 associated proceedings. A client says Lowry is “incredibly approachable, commercial and pragmatic”, genuinely understands the aims of the business, and is “someone we trust to guide us through both strategic brand protection and day-to-day trademark matters”.

Key matters:

• Bargain Busting: Multi-faceted disputes over ‘Crystal’ trademark

Brandsmiths represents Bargain Busting in a high-value dispute against Shenzhen SKE Technology concerning the ownership and use of the ‘Crystal’ trademark for vape products.

Crystal-branded vaping goods sold in the UK generate hundreds of millions in sales every year. The litigation has involved multiple High Court proceedings, six law firms, and a total of seven parties.

• UK Innovations Group: Trademark and copyright dispute with AGA

The team represented UK Innovation Group in a trademark and copyright claim brought by AGA. The range cooker manufacturer took issue with a retrofit product made by UK Innovations Group, alleging trademark and copyright infringement.

The High Court held that acts of conversion and retrofitting did not give AGA legitimate reasons to object in respect of cookers in which its rights had been exhausted. Trademark infringement was narrowly found in some of the defendants’ historical sales and marketing materials—a finding upheld by the Court of Appeal in December 2025.

AGA’s copyright claim ultimately failed.

• August Ventures: Trademark dispute over Lambretta brand

Brandsmiths acts for August Ventures, which acquired the worldwide rights to ‘Lambretta’, in a complex trademark dispute over ownership and goodwill in the brand. August Ventures alleges that a consortium of companies improperly sought to obtain control of Lambretta through bad-faith trademark filings and breaches of fiduciary duty, seeking the uncommon remedy of rectification of the trademark register in a case with significant implications for global protection of the Lambretta brand.

Clients:

Bargain Busting, Champo, ComAve Global, David George Burton, Evac + Chair North America, Financial Studio, Gemma Ellis, Here We Flo, Honeypot Dating, IVG Compliance, Kin AI, Luminance Technologies, Revive Collagen, Rising Ballers, Skin Cupid , Vapestop