Joel Smith

Practice Areas

Joel works with clients to protect, commercialize and enforce rights in innovation, whether through their brands, creative works or technology. He focuses his practice upon IP litigation and also IP in the context of global transactions and commercial IP arrangements, with over 25 years of experience across both contentious and non-contentious IP, including heavyweight trial, deal and counselling roles.

As a seasoned IP litigator, he has acted in IP disputes in the IPEC, High Court, Court of Appeal and Privy Council, particularly concerning trade marks, GIs, copyright, designs, database rights, trade secrets and confidential information. He advises clients strategically, with a view to achieving a mutually satisfactory commercial resolution, often without the need for litigation. He focuses upon key industry sectors, particularly FMCG, media, technology, life sciences, agribusiness, financial services, automotive and energy. He also advises upon advertising and allied regulatory issues.

Joel is a leader upon M&A transactions, projects and other major commercial IP arrangements in which IP plays a pivotal role, particularly complex collaborations, research partnerships, licensing and technology transfer. He has significant experience in agri and plant biotech involving plant breeders’ rights, patents, royalty-collection schemes and GMOs.

Joel joins from heading the UK IP team in another global law firm, with experience spent in Hong Kong, Milan and Sydney.

Described by World Trademark Law Review as "an IP expert at the top his game," Chambers recognizes him as a "thoughtful and strategic litigator," while Legal 500 says he has "an encyclopaedic knowledge of IP and whilst ruthless in litigation matters, is extremely calm, considered and reassuring."