Knowledge Hub
HGF ranked band 1 in Chambers and Partners UK 2024
November 2023
Chambers and Partners UK 2024 guide is now live. HGF is proud to be highly ranked as a firm and to have five Partners ranked as individuals.
HGF is ranked band 1 for:
- UK-wide: Intellectual Property: Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys
- North West: Intellectual Property
Band 2 for:
- Yorkshire: Intellectual Property
Band 3 for:
- Midlands: Intellectual Property
HGF individuals ranked:
- Yorkshire: Intellectual Property – Martyn Fish – Eminent Practitioner
- Midlands: Intellectual Property – Marie McMorrow – Band 1
- North West: Intellectual Property – Anthony Gold and Janet Knowles Band 1 and Michelle Davies – Band 3
Intellectual Property: Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys – Band 1
What the team is known for
HGF Law is one of the UK’s largest patent and trade mark firms and has the resources to handle complex and international mandates, including litigation support. The firm has an impressive client base in numerous sectors including hi-tech, life sciences and universities. The attorneys advise on the IP implications of technology-driven corporate deals as well as licensing and R&D agreements. It also has offices in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany.
Strengths
“HGF Law’s approach to complicated issues is reliable, client-oriented and creative. We prefer to work with HGF on complex or challenging items. We get an exceptional level of service and the value for money is fantastic, to the point that we recommend them to our colleagues and partners outside of our organisation.” “The firm has been managing our large portfolio efficiently. They proactively train us and advise us on contentious IP. We get very commercial and pragmatic advice from the attorneys.” “The team at HGF Law work really closely with us as our partners. They understand our brand and culture, and have a good understanding of where
we are likely to approach issues from. They have solid attorneys doing high-quality work who are very responsive. We have a portfolio of international trade marks and they manage all of that work.”
Work highlights
HGF Law represented Tommy Hilfiger in respect of UK trade mark matters, including prosecution, renewals and contentious matters.
Notable Practitioners
Head of trade marks David Potter is a key contact.
North West: Intellectual Property – Band 1
What the team is known for
HGF Law in Manchester is sought after for its expertise in commercialisation and enforcement matters involving all core IP rights. Clients are drawn from a wide range of sectors including retail, life sciences, higher education and technology, and it enjoys strong links with its sister patent and trade mark attorney firm. The team is frequently instructed on matters of multi-jurisdictional scope.
Strengths
“The team’s knowledge and insight into the technology sector is always really helpful.” “The team thinks of things from every angle.”
Work highlights
HGF Law represented Daresbury Proteins in an agreement to supply its proprietary antigen and licence under Daresbury Proteins’ patents in connection with producing COVID assays with heightened sensitivity
Notable Practitioners
Antony Gold is a consultant at HGF Law in Manchester. He is well regarded for his depth and experience in contentious intellectual property law, acting in trade mark and patent disputes across a range of sectors.
“Antony is technical, commercial and pragmatic.”
Janet Knowles is sought out for her expert handling of non-contentious IP matters. She has extensive experience in patent applications and licensing, and is frequently instructed by clients in the pharmaceutical industry.
Michelle Davies is noted for her strength in non-contentious IP matters, including licensing agreements and portfolio management. She has particular expertise in the life sciences sector.
“Michelle is really thorough and her drafting is spot-on.”
Yorkshire: Intellectual Property – Band 2
What the team is known for
HGF Law in Leeds offers an excellent service geared towards sophisticated contentious and non-contentious IP matters in a range of sectors, notably consumer products, engineering, manufacturing and life sciences. The firm is particularly skilled at patent and trade mark infringement disputes, and a go-to for design right matters of all kinds. It is able to coordinate comprehensive patent prosecution and trade mark filing with its sister patent and trade mark attorney firm, HGF.
Notable Practitioners
Martyn Fish is a partner and the CEO of HGF Law. He is an IP litigator accomplished in cases involving all core rights. He also advises brand and technology-based businesses on all manner of licence agreements.
“Martyn is a perfectly good, sensible and seasoned IP practitioner.”
Midlands: Intellectual property – Band 3
What is the team known for
HGF Law in Birmingham is a full-service IP practice which works closely with its sister patent and trade mark attorney firm. It counsels clients on patent, design and trade mark registration. The firm has a deep well of experience in IP litigation, including before the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and High Court.
Strengths
“HGF Law provides us with no-nonsense, straightforward and commercial advice. The advice is usually linked to risk management and delivered in an
easy to understand manner. We get excellent support from all members of the team.”
Work highlights
HGF Law successfully defended Edinburgh Weavers against allegations of copyright infringement in a fabric design in its design portfolio, brought by a competitor design house.
Notable Practitioners
Marie McMorrow is the head of department at HGF Law in Birmingham. She is highly sought after for her experience in trade mark, copyright and patent disputes. She is frequently instructed on complex cross-border IP matters and regularly appears before the High Court and IPEC.
“Marie McMorrow always ensures that we are on the right side of arguments.”
About Chambers UK Guide 2024
The Chambers UK guide’s legal market coverage and analysis for 2024 covers 86 broad areas of UK law, such as tax, banking and finance, employment, personal injury and family/matrimonial. It is grouped by regions, such as South West, Midlands and London, so you can easily compare firms across a geographic area to find the best talent for your needs, wherever it exists.
They also cover specialist areas of law on a UK-wide basis, such as asset finance, energy and natural resources, media and entertainment, and shipping.