The WTR 1000 focuses exclusively on trademark practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise.
Gold - Firms: prosecution and strategy
Growth has been the prevailing narrative at Kilburn & Strode, with strategic lateral hires, the addition of talented trainees and a nearly 300% increase in UK filings. The firm has an impressive global footprint through its offices in London, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, as well as a strong network of US attorneys. Its innovative, direct and pragmatic approach has proved popular with top brands including Instagram, which entrusts the firm with conducting clearance searches on its behalf. The team also manages the global clearance strategy for Gilead Life Sciences. Iain Stewart is a key contact on this brief – he splits his time between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. One associate enthuses: “Iain is my go-to attorney in the UK and EU for both contentious and non-contentious matters. I can say with confidence that he is my most consistently effective foreign associate worldwide. Iain is pragmatic, creative and a joy to work with on difficult problems. He is a cut above the rest.” Supporting him on the Gilead Life Sciences work is consultant Jeffrey Parker, who brings over 45 years of experience to the table. Patrons appreciate his personal, solution-driven approach to matters. Also highly rated are Carrollanne Lindley and Ryan Pixton. The pair work closely together supporting easyGroup and recently were successful in defending a number of revocation actions for non-use. “Carrollanne is insightful, experienced, well connected and is a client magnet. She is always on point and is great to work with.” “Ryan does a great job of managing UK and EU portfolios. He is a true professional and a pleasure to work with.” Having joined the practice in 2021, Rowena Tolley has proved to be an excellent addition to the group: “Rowena is an amazing attorney. She is commercial, practical, thorough, knowledgeable and is a pleasure to work with. Rowena also has excellent client care and people skills, coupled with extensive expertise in trademarks. She is the best of the best.”
Recognised by WTR as “among Europe’s’ elite trademark attorney outfits”, Kilburn & Strode is well known for its client service and straight-talking advice. Its outstanding client base continues to grow. The firm’s exceptional attorneys have a strong commercial focus and expertise in global trademark portfolio management – their presence in the IP community is strengthened by regular involvement in numerous committees and contributions to high-profile publications.
With a deep European reach, the team has its headquarters in London and an office in Hilversum, near Amsterdam. Having a presence in the Netherlands ensures that the firm’s attorneys can provide a seamless European service to clients, both within the region and worldwide. Their domestic and international clients look to them as their strategic European advisers and has offices based in Rotterdam, The Hague and Munich. The liaison office in San Francisco is set up to service clients in California, with European attorneys on the ground doing European work – the first European patent and trademark attorney firm with attorneys registered to practise European patent law in California, making Kilburn & Strode the only firm of its kind to permanently deliver European IP services to clients in California in their time zone.
Key partners and an all-around excellent team
The firm’s partners consistently receive outstanding recognition as highly competent experts in their respective fields. The team is recognised for having excellent people from top to bottom.
WTR 1000 noted that “virtually no other trademark professional gets as much – or as positive – feedback as Iain Stewart”. It went on to praise Mr Stewart’s “to-the-point, business-focused advice”, which is informed by “strong written and verbal communication skills” and “exceptional knowledge of all issues relating to European and UK trademark practice”.
Partner Carrollanne Lindley is praised for her commercially sound and strategic advice. Regularly nominated as a leading woman in intellectual property, such praise is attributable to the breadth of Ms Lindley’s experience as a trademark attorney, as well as her previous in-house roles as counsel to global luxury brands. In a recent edition of WTR 1000, a brand owner stated that “[Ms Lindley’s] work ethic is astonishing and she goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure you get the best service”.
Partner Ryan Pixton is noted for his growth and ascent in the profession – he was referred to as a “client magnet” in a recent edition of WTR 1000. Mr Pixton handles some of the team’s most active clients and is well known for his understanding of clients’ needs and ability to go above and beyond on time-sensitive matters.
Headed by Claudia Festen, who brings deep experience from two major trademark and design firms in the Netherlands, the team in Hilversum continues to grow.
In 2021 Rowena Tolley joined the partnership. The hire of such a recognised leader in IP builds on the momentum of the joining of “trademark rock star” and “go-to EU resource” Jeffrey Parker. The team includes some of the leading attorneys in the profession.
Clients and sectors
The team has a global reach and an extensive client base – operating in approximately 200 jurisdictions and managing tens of thousands of trademark registrations. Their client base is drawn from a number of sectors, with strengths in publishing, entertainment, telecoms, fast-moving consumer goods, fashion, medical devices, finance and electronics.
Oppositions and cancellations
The team has enjoyed considerable success before the UK Intellectual Property Office, the Appointed Person, the EUIPO and the EUIPO Board of Appeal. Their creative approach to such proceedings and their commercial and pragmatic advice are appreciated by clients. This means that they have been able to achieve amicable resolution of various proceedings, including where parties’ positions have been entrenched.
Committed to continued development
Kilburn & Strode is rightly recognised as a leading trademark team in Europe. The firm continues to employ new trainees and attorneys to support and bolster its expertise in different practice areas. The firm has also made considerable strides in recent years to offer new and easy-to-use client portals. Going forward it will continue to invest in operational excellence to ensure the best client experience.
Jurisdiction