Herbert Smith Freehills' global Trade Marks Practice lauded a 'formidable force' in WTR 1000 rankings

Now in its ninth year, the WTR 1000 highlights firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in this area of practice.

Herbert Smith Freehills has been showcased in the research directory as being 'a formidable force within the trademark sphere' and a 'prestigious commercial outfit', after it was highlighted for having particularly strong trademark experience globally in WTR 1000. The firm's practices in the UK, Australia, France and Italy were all highly ranked in the directory.

The publication singles out the firm for being "packed to the rafters with world-class talent that consistently exceeds the expectations of clients".

WTR cites the "hands-on leadership"  of Joel Smith, UK Head of IP as crucial to the side’s recent growth and success and goes on to highlight Joel as "a brilliant strategic thinker" flagging his work for major brands alongside much-praised Paris Partner Alexandra Neri on cross-border trade mark disputes.

Global Head of IP Mark Shillito is lauded as an "exquisite complex problem solver and litigator" and Laura Orlando has also been showcased, after she helped set up our growing Milan office in late 2017. She is flagged for her, "super pragmatic and business oriented" approach, which makes her one of the "best IP lawyers in Italy".

Celia Davies, who heads Herbert Smith Freehills’ Trademarks prosecution group in Australia, is "a true leader in the trademark market". Melbourne Partner Shaun McVicar has also been held up as possessing a "commercial and strategic outlook on litigation" which means that brands are in "good hands when he is on a case.” Partner Sue Gilchrist is also singled out as being a "top-flight litigator" and Kristin Stammer as an "eminent adviser with terrific technical trademark knowledge".

In its write-up of the firm's trade mark practice, WTR comments, "Herbert Smith Freehills isn’t about being the biggest in trademarks; it focuses, instead, on quality and adding strategic value for blue-chip international rights holders – and routinely surpasses expectations in both regards."

As with previous editions, to arrive at the 2019 rankings, WTR undertook an exhaustive qualitative research project to identify the firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in this critical area of practice. The publication says that when identifying the leading firms, factors such as depth of expertise, market presence and the level of work on which they are typically instructed were all taken into account, alongside positive peer and client feedback.

To view the full write-up, please visit: https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/directories/wtr1000