Recognising this, the WTR 1000 is designed to cut through the confusion and identify the firms and individuals that are setting the industry benchmark for trademark legal services. To achieve this, WTR embarked on an exhaustive qualitative research project, conducted over a three-month period. Our team of highly qualified, full-time analysts conducted hundreds of interviews with trademark specialists, both private practice and in-house, in more than 50 key jurisdictions. Their aim was simple: to identify and rank the firms and individuals to turn to for unparalleled trademark services when seeking local and international legal partners.

All of the individuals identified in this publication have been included because we received substantial positive feedback about them. In addition, when identifying the leading firms, factors such as depth of expertise, market presence and the level of work they are typically instructed on were taken into account. A full methodology detailing how the research was conducted, as well as the subsequent decision-making process about whom to include, can be found here.

Armed with these findings, we wanted to ensure that the results were as accessible as possible. To achieve this, the publication focuses on more than 50 key jurisdictions, analysing the local markets and identifying the leading practitioners and firms in both contentious and non-contentious work. Each chapter also features comprehensive rankings tables. In this way, the publication serves as a userfriendly, one-stop source of reference for anyone seeking trademark legal services across the globe.

Alongside the editorial on each jurisdiction, you will find profiles of some of the firms and individuals featured in the WTR 1000 rankings. All of those who were selected for listing in the WTR 1000 were offered the opportunity to publish a profile for a fee – some decided that they wished to do so, while others declined. It is important to stress that inclusion in the editorial is not linked to this – the research was conducted entirely independently of any commercial considerations.

The WTR 1000 is the first and only standalone ranking publication to focus exclusively on trademark practices and practitioners, but the work doesn’t stop here. Any feedback on the research findings will be gratefully received, helping to inform the planning and research of future editions.

The legal services market will continue to evolve. The WTR 1000 will be tracking it every step of the way.

Trevor Little
Managing editor