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Bristows has a long established portfolio management practice, fully integrated with the firm’s leading IP litigation practice, in order to provide a “one-stop shop” on all aspects of brand development, protection, exploitation and enforcement.

We have a wealth of experience in handling and managing worldwide IP portfolios, conducting clearance programmes, advising in relation to contentious registry proceedings and conducting settlement discussions to resolve disputes.

We handle brands throughout their entire lifecycle, from the point of inception to protection, enforcement, monitoring, ownership changes, renewal and maintenance.

We have represented clients in all forums, ranging from opposition proceedings before the UK Intellectual Property Office and the European Intellectual Property Office, through to litigation in the higher courts (up to and including the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg).

Multi-jurisdictional brand management

Our brands group manages worldwide trade mark and design portfolios, together with its international network of leading brands lawyers.

Our dedicated brands management team handles all aspects of trade marks and design portfolio management including clearance searches, prosecution and registration, opposition proceedings and general portfolio management. We manage UK, EU and global trade mark and design portfolios for a wide range of clients. We provide comprehensive, market relevant advice on the management of IP rights and provide strategic advice to maximise and protect our clients’ IP rights.

As well as managing entire portfolios, we also assist many of our clients who have their own dedicated in-house IP teams during times of peak demand, with advice on freedom to operate and complex contentious matters. We also routinely provide second opinions on a range of trade mark and design issues – this is particularly the case when matters become contentious. Further, in the event of litigation, we have unparalleled skills and reputation to represent clients in any litigation forum from the High Court to the CJEU.

Our clients range from multinational household names to small start-ups and they seek our advice and assistance on protecting and extracting value from their most valuable assets – their brands, their reputation, their inventions, ideas and designs.

Key contacts

Meet the team

Latest insights

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Publications

Review of UK & European Trade Mark Cases

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Designs & Copyright Review of the Year

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Experience

We manage the worldwide trade mark portfolio of the Financial Times, conducting clearance searches for new brands, filing applications to expand the protection of the iconic FT and FINANCIAL TIMES brands around the world and to assist in the protection of new brands and products.

We manage the worldwide trade mark portfolio of Rocco Forte, registering the core brands such as the ROCCO FORTE name and the RF logo around the world, but also assisting in the protection of individual hotel names. We also represent the client in trade mark disputes including trade mark opposition proceedings.

Inquisitive Minds: Trademark, & design portfolio management insights

What others say

“They have an excellent depth of knowledge and experience in both the law and the MedTech industry. They are always responsive and attentive.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2026

“The team’s unique strength lies not only in its collective expertise across the media space but also in the collaborative spirit that ensures clients benefit from the full breadth of the firm’s knowledge and resources.”

Legal 500 2026

“Bristows’ film and TV practice distinguishes itself through a blend of deep sector knowledge, a truly client-centric approach, and a reputation for consistently delivering innovative solutions to complex legal issues.”

Legal 500 2026

“Bristows has a talented group of lawyers who clearly know their stuff. All advice is very commercial and practical. It is a particularly friendly team that are easy to work with – this really stands out from other firms I’ve worked with.”

Legal 500 2026

“They provide such an outstanding service that we send all our clients’ EU/UK TM work to them. They have a great network of EU advisers which, where necessary, they are able to refer us to.”

Legal 500 2026

“The team are well-versed in UK/EU trade mark which ensures they are able to provide clear, strategic advice on difficult issues we instruct them to consider as well as timely and accurate day-to-day trade mark prosecution services.”

Legal 500 2026

“Bristows are extremely responsive, professional, and thorough while also being pragmatic in how they advise a small organisation with limited capacity and capability. Their advice is always clear and specific to the problem we’re tackling.”

Legal 500 2026

“They are extremely knowledgeable about the nuances of the changing media and technology landscape.”

Legal 500 2026

“Paul Jordan, Jeremy Blum and Nellie Jackson are all excellent – bright, creative and good on the details. We trust them with our most delicate matters.”

Legal 500 2026

“Has an excellent reputation as one of the leading IP firms in the UK. Excellent across the board knowledge and experience. Can marshal a large team quickly.”

Legal 500 2026

Recent rankings and awards

Intellectual Property – Band 1 (UK)

Intellectual Property - Band 1

Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation - Band 1

Intellectual Property: Law Firms with Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys (Spotlight)

PATMA: Trade Mark Attorneys - Tier 2

Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design - Tier 1

Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation (UK) - Band 1

Intellectual Property: Law Firms With Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys - Spotlight

Outstanding

Gold - Enforcement and litigation

Gold - Prosecution and strategy

Commended for Intellectual Property

Trade Mark Disputes - Tier 1

Trade Mark Prosecution - Tier 1

Copyright - Tier 1

Key contacts

Nellie Jackson headshot
Nellie Jackson
Partner – Trade mark, designs & copyright
Jeremy Blum
Jeremy Blum
Partner, Co-Head of IP Litigation
Simon Clark's headshot
Simon Clark
Partner – Trade mark, designs & copyright
Ian Gruselle headshot
Ian Gruselle
Partner – Trade mark, designs & copyright
Paul Jordan
Paul Jordan
Partner – Trade mark, designs & copyright