The promotion of Sean Ibbetson, effective 1 May 2026, is a reflection of Bristows’ continued commitment to strengthening its market-leading litigation practice across all IP-rich sectors.

Sean Ibbetson

Sean is an IP litigator, with particular expertise advising clients involved in disputes relating to trade marks, copyright and designs.

He trained at Bristows and for more than a decade he has been part of the teams involved in the firm’s highest-profile cases to be heard by the English courts. He acts for clients across a range of sectors, including for many of Bristows’ technology and life sciences clients, household names in the consumer and luxury goods sectors, as well as financial services providers. He has experience in the UKIPO, IPEC, High Court and Court of Appeal, both in liability trials, interim hearings, and in quantum proceedings.

Sean also has extensive experience managing enforcement programmes for clients with some of the most valuable IP in the world, particularly in relation to luxury goods and household brands. He advises clients on combatting IP infringements in the digital and physical world, and helps online platforms and marketplaces to navigate their own potential liability as intermediaries.

In addition to his IP disputes practice, Sean is also an advertising and marketing law expert. He advises big brands, ad agencies and publishers on the UK’s advertising regulations and the consumer protection regime established by the DMCC Act. He advises clients aiming to ensure their marketing is compliant, and he also helps to resolve disputes and navigate investigations commenced by the ASA and CMA.

Stephen Smith, Joint Managing Partner: “We are delighted to be welcoming Sean to the partnership, he brings a wealth of experience and deep knowledge of IP and advertising law. His track record and client service will only strengthen the firm’s reputation as a litigation powerhouse.”

Jeremy Blum, Partner: “Sean is an exceptional IP litigator, and is an invaluable asset to both our litigation and advertising practices. He has market leading IP litigation expertise having acted in many large-scale disputes, as well as advising on novel advertising issues. We are delighted he is joining the partnership, and he will continue to contribute to the success of our clients and the firm’s renowned IP disputes practice.”