Stephenson Harwood

Firm overview:

Home to a “decent team” and “tremendous clients”, Stephenson Harwood is a full-service law firm with locations in four continents. Its non-contentious IP practice includes trademark portfolio management and strategy advice, and it has previously found success for GlaxoSmithKline registering a 3D trademark for its distinctly shaped asthma inhalers. The firm is also primary counsel for top brands, advising Gap on its European portfolio, handling trademark prosecution and related opposition and infringement matters. On the contentious side, the firm handles litigation in the UK and in cross-border disputes, with experience in instructing foreign counsel on multi-jurisdictional proceedings. Its trademark practice extends to domain name issues, advising on brand launches and anti-counterfeiting issues, taking on copycats in criminal and civil proceedings for luxury brands including Moet Hennessy and Richemont.

Team overview:

Partner Rob Jacob is “fantastic”, say peers. Jacob specialises in contentious and non-contentious IP and has been a part of multiple trademark cases for the firm’s key clients, including his involvement in GlaxoSmithKline’s registration for a 3D trademark. The case was heard before the Board of Appeal of the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM), part of the EU Intellectual Property Office. As well as its London-based UK team, Stephenson Harwood’s IP team has personnel in France and China.

Clients:

Gap, GlaxoSmithKline, Moet Hennesy, Richemont