England - South West • TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Ashfords LLP
With a sizeable team and a ‘solid contentious and non-contentious understanding’, Ashfords LLP administers global trade mark portfolios for a host of high-profile clients. The practice is a popular choice for companies looking to register and maintain IP rights as well as engage in prosecution and invalidity proceedings. Working closely with the firm’s corporate and private equity teams, the practice also counts transactional IP work among its areas of strength. Carl Steele is the practice head and has particular experience in the retail goods and services, and consumer brand sectors. Brand protection, portfolio management and enforcement actions are part of Clare Jackman’s advisory portfolio. Mark Lomas retired in 2022, while Andrew Braithwaite left for an in-house position in the same year.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We've found Carl and his team to be highly knowledgeable, very responsive and commercial IP specialists. They take the time to give well-rounded advice tailored to the interests of our business.’
‘Ashfords LLP covers a wide range of IP issues for our clients, particularly on the enforcement side of the practice. They have a team approach so that nothing is left to the last minute with instructions.’
‘Clare Jackman is extremely thoughtful in her approach to infringement. She works with an excellent team so we are never concerned as our files are in good hands.’
‘Clare Jackman is a seasoned trade mark lawyer. Her advice is always timely and on point.’
‘Daniel Cahill is extremely responsive and gives straight forward commercially minded legal advice. He presents the overall legal picture clearly, has good judgement and is not scared to offer his view on the best way forward.’
‘Clare Jackman has extensive experience plus a Big Law background. Clare is a practical and responsive attorney who is willing to take a pragmatic, business minded approach to a legal matter.’
‘Solid contentious and non-contentious understanding - across registrations/renewals and disputes.'
‘Clare Jackman and Daniel Cahill are trusted advisers - they are on top of the detail, so we don't have to worry as in-house counsel. They also have a good understanding of our business and how we want the trade mark portfolio to operate.’
Key clients
- CMO Group PLC
- Shazam Productions Limited
- The Roald Dahl Story Company
- Jack Daniels
- Majestic Wine
- J W Anderson
- BlackRock
- Post Office
- The Brand Architekts PLC
- Aardman Animations
- Facegym
- Fontaine
- What3words Limited
- Pancho Music Inc.
- Pro-Direct
- IOP Publishing Limited
- London Grid for Learning
- The Collecting Group Limited
- Gaia Fertility
- Young Spirits Limited
- People Group Services Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for Shazam Productions Limited in respect of successful court proceedings for copyright infringement and passing-off against unlicensed third parties that produced and performed an unlicensed "Only Fools & Horses".
- Advised Fontaine Limited regarding an anti-counterfeiting strategy and approach.
- Acted for Jack Daniel’s Properties Inc to urgently clear for use in trade 17 slogans and advertising strap lines for its Christmas advertising campaign.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Carl Steele