When I founded the firm in 2015 there were very few specialist firms of trade mark and patent attorneys offering litigation services: there were even fewer attorneys offering the advocacy services which barristers typically offer.
Whilst specialist trade mark firms in the UK are typically very organised and disciplined practices, it is a repetitive practice and one which was vulnerable to online providers, lower-cost firms outside the UK and unqualified service providers. It also meant clients felt a gap in service when disputes arose - and they always do eventually.
Whilst there are a wealth of Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys offering trade mark and design registration services in the UK, there is a significant gap in dispute resolution in the field. It is a fast-developing field and alternative dispute resolution is becoming more and more important - and firms without that specialism risk falling ever further behind.
For some firms, focusing on delivery of the "core" registration services is their strategy and developing capability in disputes is tough and risky against a more certain practice in registration work - and I seamlessly offer them the capability at a high level for so long as they need it.
Alongside my own "direct" clients, I have helped specialist IP firms in the UK and beyond as well as non-specialist law firms in the UK, both as a consultant as as clients to those consultancies.
Some come to me initially because I am able to appear in court, taking out one of the layers of cost. Some trade mark firms use me because I understand the processes in firms and how the work gets done, not just what is needed formally.
Most come back repeatedly - hopefully because I am good at what I do, am clear in my views and constructive in making positions better for all my clients. Whilst I am not always easy for the other side in a dispute, I am generally seen as calm and easy to work with for those I represent.
Wood IP