The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research programme revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market. The rankings are based on a series of criteria, but simply put, they highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel.<\/p>\n
HGF has been ranked\u00a0Tier 2 in PATMA: Patent Attorneys, PATMA: Trade Mark Attorneys, North West, West Midlands, Yorkshire & The Humber and Tier 5 in London: Patents Contentious and Non-Contentious.<\/strong><\/p>\n HGF Limited\u00a0stands out for its wide office network, totalling 12 offices in the UK and ten offices elsewhere in Europe. The group’s electronics, engineering, chemistry and life sciences teams work together to handle prosecution work, including oppositions, and litigation in cooperation with the firm’s own solicitors. The caseload often includes cross-border matters, particularly for clients in the US and South Korea. Clients include major corporations, SMEs, and universities and other public sector bodies. CEO\u00a0Paul Sanderson\u00a0and chairman\u00a0Jason Lumber\u00a0are based in Leeds; senior partner and head of electronics\u00a0Harry Hutchinson\u00a0and head of medical devices\u00a0Vanessa Stainthorpe\u00a0in Sheffield; head of engineering\u00a0Lucy Johnson, who splits her time between Newcastle and York; head of life sciences\u00a0Kate Taylor\u00a0in York; head of chemistry\u00a0Andrew Wells\u00a0in Manchester; head of oppositions and appeals\u00a0Chris Moore\u00a0in Birmingham; and head of energy\u00a0Craig Watson\u00a0in Aberdeen.\u00a0Alastair Da Costa\u00a0joined the firm as strategic development director in August 2019, while\u00a0Gareth Probert\u00a0left for\u00a0EIP\u00a0in February 2020.<\/p>\n Testimonials<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018The team are highly responsive and thorough in all of their dealings with us.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Very agile and attuned to the changing world in which we live. They listen to clients and understand their needs very clearly. Not at all stuffy, yet completely on top of their game from both a legal and commercial perspective.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Andrew Wells is a standout partners in the chemical and industrial field. He has in-depth knowledge of the industry, and is very commercially aware, completely on top of his game legally, and engages proactively and attentively with clients with tact, precision and promptness.<\/p>\n HGF Limited\u00a0fields one of the busiest trade mark filing caseloads in the UK market, and is particularly active in EU trade mark applications. The well-rounded team also has notable strength in contentious work, especially in opposition and appeal proceedings and disputes. The practice is primarily active for clients from the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany, but also handles a substantial number of instructions for US and South Korean clients, particularly major companies, followed by medium-sized growth companies, universities and other public sector clients. The Leeds-based trio at the helm of the practice consists of CEO\u00a0Paul Sanderson, chairman\u00a0Jason Lumber\u00a0and\u00a0David Potter\u00a0as the head of the trade marks practice.\u00a0Alastair Da Costa, also based in Leeds and an experienced manager, joined the firm as strategic development director and executive board member.\u00a0Rigel Moss McGrath\u00a0joined the Manchester office from\u00a0W P Thompson & Co.<\/p>\n Testimonials<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018Client-focused advice for reasonable costs.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Tuned in to our priorities and preferred ways of working.\u2019<\/p>\n HGF Limited\u2019s patent litigators have strength in the life sciences sector, as evidenced by\u00a0Rachel Fetches\u2019 representation of multinational generic pharmaceuticals companies in patent infringement defence and oppositions. Recent litigation highlights have involved the coordination of pan-European proceedings.\u00a0Martyn Fish\u00a0is currently involved in patent infringement litigation in the engineering sector, and also provides strategic advisory support regarding FRAND licensing to electronics and telecoms clients.<\/p>\n Testimonials<\/strong><\/p>\n Good technical knowledge and common sense advice<\/p>\n Specialist IP firm\u00a0HGF Law\u00a0is home to a \u2018friendly, efficient and knowledgeable team\u2019. The team handles the full range of contentious and transactional IP matters, with a particular focus on the life sciences, retail, fashion, education and advanced engineering sectors. Examples of work handled include licensing, dossier and associated brand acquisition, commercialisation, design clearance for new products\u00a0Janet Knowles\u00a0is a \u2018go-to lawyer\u2019 while\u00a0Antony Gold\u00a0is \u2018efficient and knowledgeable\u2019; both head the practice. Advice relating to compliance with the Advertising Standards Authority and other regulatory bodies is also a core strength.<\/p>\nPATMA: Patent Attorneys<\/h5>\n
PATMA: Trade Mark Attorneys<\/h5>\n
London: Patents Contentious and Non-Contentious<\/h5>\n
North West<\/h5>\n