Clare Turnbull and Alex Brown co-lead the ‘extremely professional, organised and knowledgeable’ team at Venner Shipley LLP, which operates for notable names in the realm of trade marks and boasts considerable experience in the registered design and copyright space. Brown excels in the mechanical and design area, while Turnbull’s strengths include a diverse spectrum of trade mark mandates. Following the merger with legacy firm AA Thornton, the team has been bolstered by a number of new additions. Key names to note include Geoff Hussey, who is well-versed in representing a range of clients in the High Court and Court of Appeal on issues such as IP ownership and design rights among others, and Sarah Darby, who is entrusted by household names across the technology, luxury goods and pharmaceutical sectors. Daniel Byrne, who sits as a deputy district judge in the IPEC and demonstrates particular proficiencies in handling brand disputes. James Tumbridge and Robert Peake  departed to Keystone Law in May 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The first thing to say about Venner Shipley's people is that they are a joy to work with; this what makes them really unique. They're better at this than other UK attorneys. On top of that, they're super-experienced, knowledgeable and they have great clients.’

  • ‘The staff I worked with has always responded quickly and with great precision.’

  • 'Clare Turnbull has built a team where the strengths and key capabilities revolve around efficiency and stability.'

  • ‘They are keen to take into account both business considerations and legal considerations. They do not provide a 'one size fits all' service.'

  • ‘The team is extremely professional, organised and knowledgeable. They disseminate complex technical concepts into plain English.'

  • 'The team was particularly good at keeping me informed and staying ahead of a rather long regulatory process.'
  • ‘We have a very positive impression of the firm. One thing I have appreciated with Venner Shipley from my recent experience has been that they have known to ask questions of us relating to our clients’ matters that we may not think to ask them ourselves, which allows us to provide the most efficient and effective intellectual property services to our clients in return.'

  • 'Venner Shipley has always provided clear contact points that allow for a better working relationship as we know all of the individuals we are working with at the firm.’

Key clients

  • Atkins Limited
  • The Norwex Group
  • Capcom Co. Ltd
  • Aspen Pumps
  • TalkTalk
  • Aviva Plc
  • The AA
  • Norfolk Dinosaur Park
  • Head Technology GmbH
  • Sanofi

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Clare Turnbull, Alex Brown

Other key lawyers

Geoff Hussey, Sarah Darby, Daniel Byrne