Building on the success of the first two editions of the WTR 1000, World Trademark Review (WTR) magazine has again undertaken extensive research to compile exhaustive listings of the leading law firms, attorney firms and individual practitioners offering high-level advice on issues relating to trademarks. As businesses race to enhance their global competitiveness in a tough economic environment, a strong brand is a vital prerequisite for success. Lawyers and trademark attorneys in private practice play a significant role in developing and implementing brand strategies for clients in both global and local markets, as well as acting to protect their clients’ trademark rights in the event of infringement. This third edition of WTR 1000 shines a spotlight on the firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in this critical area of practice.

The WTR 1000 remains the only standalone publication to recommend individual practitioners and their firms exclusively in the area of trademarks, and identifies the leading players in over 60 key jurisdictions globally. In those markets in which practitioners have narrowed the focus of their work, we have presented tables highlighting the leaders in the respective areas of prosecution and strategy, enforcement and litigation and anti-counterfeiting. Where appropriate, we have also recognised the particular strengths of firms, similarly listing them in prosecution and strategy and enforcement and litigation tables for the first time. Where the work of trademark attorneys is clearly distinct from that of attorneys at law, and where attorney firms received particularly strong feedback for the quality of their services, we have recognised those practices on separate tables alongside those listing law firms.

Barristers have also been recommended for the first time in the WTR 1000 2013, in those countries with significant trademark expertise found at an independent bar – Australia, England, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Scotland and South Africa. Finally, for Brazil, Russia, India and China (the rapidly developing ‘BRIC’ economies), we have provided additional lists of firms that we believe play important roles in the market, or will do in the coming years, but for which our research has not yet yielded sufficient information on for us to recommend alongside those firms that are well known to us. This may be because the firm in question is new, is located in an emerging business centre or caters exclusively to a domestic client base. We feel that these firms nonetheless deserve recognition and we expect to hear much more about them in the near future.

To research the market, we conducted telephone interviews and exchanged correspondence over a four-month period with hundreds of lawyers, attorneys and their clients involved with trademarks; we also gathered written submissions from firms detailing their recent activity in the field. Individuals qualify for inclusion in the WTR 1000 upon receiving sufficient positive feedback from market sources with knowledge of their practice and the market within which they operate. We have also identified the leading law firms and attorney firms in the market, as the depth of expertise that a firm can offer beyond – and in support of – its star partners is an important factor for potential clients. Firms qualify for a listing on the basis of their depth of expertise, market presence and the level of work on which they are typically instructed. Barristers are subject to the same criteria.

Complementing the main tables and editorial, we have also included listings of the top trademark filers in many jurisdictions, as provided by CT Corsearch (for a full explanation of how the filer rankings were compiled, please see here). The guide is truly comprehensive, and we believe that it will continue to be a valuable tool for brand owners to use in considering their choice of external counsel and for law firms entering markets where they do not have trademark practitioners on the ground.

Our aim is to ensure that the WTR 1000 is as accurate as possible. We have strived to produce the most comprehensive and definitive list of the world’s leading private practice trademark experts on the basis of subjective feedback received from those operating in the market. If you disagree with the opinions we have presented, we would very much like to hear from you. We guarantee to research your input further so as to improve the list in the future.

Note: as a general rule, individuals listed are based in their country’s main business centre. In jurisdictions where practitioners are to be found in several cities, their locations are specified; where a handful of exceptions practise outside the main business centre, their locations are likewise noted.

All names and individual positions at firms are correct to the best of our knowledge as of November 12 2012. In instances where a firm has subsequently dissolved or individuals have moved, these market changes will be reflected in the next edition of the WTR 1000.

If you would like to participate in the research process for next year’s edition of the WTR 1000, please get in touch via info@theipmediagroup.com

Nicholas Richardson
Head of research, WTR 1000