The branding and trade mark team at Bates Wells has a notable roster of impact economy clients, including charities, non-profit organisations, and commercial companies. It is well equipped to handle a broad range of mandates, including trade mark clearance, registration, and portfolio management, transactional work, and contentious matters. The group is also increasingly active in critical campaigning and the related IP issues. ‘Go-to trade mark expert’ Mathew Healey heads up the team with cross-border expertise and significant experience in trade mark licensing matters. The ’excellent’ Catharina Waller is another key member of the team who is active in rebranding and protection programmes.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I cannot fault the team, the advice or the communication. Discussions are easy but also make us think 'why' do it that way, our concerns are listened to, we are advised of any potential pitfalls before proceeding and kept up to date with progress. It makes the whole process of brand protection run smoothly and efficiently.’
‘Bates Wells are a good firm of lawyers who listen attentively and provide good commercial advice.'
‘The team takes time to understand our needs and to explain the processes, setting out the timetable clearly and providing all the guidance necessary to ensure that we have the best possible chance of success in our trade mark applications.'
‘We value the proactive approach and experience that all the team are able to provide in a clear, methodical and approachable manner.'
‘Mathew Healey is responsive, considered, personable and advises proportionately, while understanding the realities clients face when balancing trade mark concerns among other risks. Realistic and pragmatic approach to trade mark advice.’
‘Mathew Healey is our go-to trade mark expert. Matthew is good at providing a range of options in response to any business trademark challenges, which are business focused and practical.’
‘Catharina Waller combines legal expertise and active guidance with astute observations on corporate strategy, negotiation and communication. She's got an eye for detail and can see round corners - both extremely useful qualities in this area of practice. She takes a broad, strategic view on specific issues, seeing the bigger picture on areas like risk, reputation and return on investment.'
‘Catharina Waller is an excellent lawyer who ensures that advice is not only given in a way which is easy for the reader to digest, especially given the often technically-complex subject matter, but that all advice given is done so with an understanding of our business and the wider context.’
Key clients
- City Bridge Foundation
- Fashion Retail Academy
- Christian Aid
- Alan Turing Institute
- Cruelty Free International
- Freud Communications
- Shelter
- Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales
- FM Conway
- Charlie Mackesy
- Vorboss
- Trinity College London
- Earth Cubs
- Me We Foundation
- Fashion Retail Academy
- RNID
- Enforcement Conduct Board
- Cats Protection
- The National Gallery
- Sightsavers
Work highlights
- Advised the Enforcement Conduct Board on the IP and licensing aspects of its new headline-making scheme for regulating the Enforcement Agency (bailiff) industry.
- Assisted Earth Cubs with its IP protection, dispute, and licensing work.
- Assisted the City Corporation as trustee of Bridge House Estates, following a major re-branding exercise to adopt a single working name, ‘City Bridge Foundation’, with all the charity’s activities.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Mathew Healey