Ranking tables
Intellectual Property | Global
UK
Rankings overview for Departments
Bird & Bird 15 Years Ranked- Bristows LLP
A&O Shearman 15 Years Ranked
CMS 15 Years Ranked
Hogan Lovells 15 Years Ranked
Taylor Wessing LLP 15 Years Ranked- Mishcon de Reya LLP
- Osborne Clarke LLP
Baker McKenzie 15 Years Ranked
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP 15 Years Ranked
Linklaters 15 Years Ranked
Pinsent Masons 15 Years Ranked
Simmons & Simmons LLP 15 Years Ranked- Fieldfisher
- Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
- Powell Gilbert LLP
- Wiggin LLP
Charles Russell Speechlys 10 Years Ranked
Jones Day 3 Years Ranked
Norton Rose Fulbright 4 Years Ranked
Slaughter and May 12 Years Ranked- Hansel Henson
- Harbottle & Lewis LLP
- Waterfront Solicitors LLP
Dentons 5 Years Ranked- Briffa
- Browne Jacobson LLP
- Fox Williams LLP
- Keystone Law
- Wedlake Bell LLP
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Bird & BirdIntellectual Property2026 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedBird & Bird is known for its highly skilled practitioners who handle a wide range of patent litigation for market-leading innovators, with additional capabilities in copyright and data rights. The team is recommended for licence agreements of all kinds, and trade mark and designs prosecution. In addition, the team is noted for deep reserves of hi-tech and life sciences expertise, and its offering of a bespoke in-house patent valuation tool.
Band 2
2 A&O ShearmanIntellectual Property2026 | Band 2 | 15 Years RankedOn 1 May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman. The firm has a powerful patent litigation arm and deep resources for IP-heavy corporate deals. The firm is recommended for licensing transactions in high technology and life sciences, and for trade mark, copyright and designs litigation.
2 CMSIntellectual Property2026 | Band 2 | 15 Years RankedCMS provides a comprehensive IP service capable of handling any dispute, transaction or prosecution strategy. The team is celebrated for hi-tech and digital expertise, with important resources devoted to life sciences clients. CMS is also one of very few firms with in-house patent attorneys.2 Hogan LovellsIntellectual Property2026 | Band 2 | 15 Years RankedHogan Lovells is recognised for its full-service offering capable of marshalling resources in every conceivable area of IP law and scientific discipline. The team is capable of coordinating the most complex international disputes, licensing strategies and IP-rich corporate transactions, and has become a leading destination for heavyweight telecommunications and life sciences patent litigation. Members of the IP team also advise household-name brands on all aspects of trade mark law.2 Taylor Wessing LLPIntellectual Property2026 | Band 2 | 15 Years RankedTaylor Wessing is renowned for its powerful electronics and life sciences patent litigation offering, alongside high-quality commercial, contentious and corporate support work involving all core IP rights. The team also has a heavyweight brand protection offering for major fashion and retail clients, and is noted for the quality of its trade mark and patent prosecution service.
Band 3
3 Baker McKenzieIntellectual Property2026 | Band 3 | 15 Years RankedBaker McKenzie stands out for its international presence and management of global trade mark portfolios. Its team is often called on to handle complex IP-driven joint ventures, acquisitions and disposals, and is highly experienced with regard to licensing agreements. The team is noted for expertise on AI and issues at the bleeding edge of digital technology.
3 Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLPIntellectual Property2026 | Band 3 | 15 Years RankedHerbert Smith Freehills Kramer has a high-quality life sciences and TMT patent litigation practice. The firm is highly regarded for its assured handling of complex licensing and IP-rich corporate transactions, and is also recommended for trade mark, copyright and database rights litigation on behalf of media and fast-moving consumer goods companies. Members of the team are known to be highly adept at advising on pan-European dispute strategy.
3 LinklatersIntellectual Property2026 | Band 3 | 15 Years RankedLinklaters is acclaimed for advising on complex IP-driven corporate and commercial transactions. The team demonstrates extensive experience in cross-border patent litigation as well as copyright and trade mark disputes. It has also been called upon to act for market leaders in life sciences, telecommunications and financial services.3 Pinsent MasonsIntellectual Property2026 | Band 3 | 15 Years RankedPinsent Masons' IP team is a full-service IP practice with a powerful patent litigation offering, and is particularly noted for generic pharmaceutical cases. The team is recommended for commercial and contentious matters concerning copyright, trade marks, database rights and designs. Further, Pinsent Masons has the resources and know-how to handle the weightiest IP-led corporate transactions.3 Simmons & Simmons LLPIntellectual Property2026 | Band 3 | 15 Years RankedSimmons & Simmons is highly regarded for its excellent patent litigation practice acting for leading life sciences and technology companies. The team also has comprehensive commercial IP, prosecution and rights strategy offerings, and is also noted for trade mark disputes. Members of the team are regularly instructed to assist with the IP aspects of corporate transactions.
Band 4
4 BrandsmithsIntellectual Property2026 | Band 4 | 2 Years RankedBrandsmiths is recognised for its expertise in trade mark and copyright litigation concerning infringement, domain name disputes and counterfeit goods. The team is regularly instructed by household-name brands in media, technology, sports, fashion and leisure sectors.
4 DLA Piper LLPIntellectual Property2026 | Band 4 | 15 Years RankedDLA Piper offers a comprehensive IP service at the centre of a truly global platform. The IP team is acclaimed for its excellent handling of litigation concerned with all core rights, as well as licensing and IP-rich corporate transactions. The team also advises clients on the protection and commercialisation of their proprietary data and on questions of third-party data use. Members of the team also assist with international trade mark registration efforts.
4 FreshfieldsIntellectual Property2026 | Band 4 | 15 Years RankedFreshfields is a magic circle firm with the corporate and commercial power to lead on the weightiest, most sophisticated IP-rich transactions. Its clients include global giants in the fields of finance, life sciences, telecommunications, media and hi-tech. The team has additional strength in patent litigation, particularly disputes concerning medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
4 Reed Smith LLPIntellectual Property2026 | Band 4 | 15 Years RankedReed Smith has deep sector knowledge of media, technology and luxury brands. The team is strong on copyright and trade mark disputes and also technology licensing. The IP practice is also recommended for anti-counterfeiting campaigns and litigation involving digital platforms and internet service providers, with additional expertise in patent litigation.
4 Stephenson Harwood LLPIntellectual Property2026 | Band 4 | 11 Years RankedStephenson Harwood acts for market-leading brands in financial services, energy, fashion, life sciences and luxury goods. The practice is rated for its powerful trade mark litigation offering and recommended for licence agreements involving all core rights. The team is regularly instructed to assist with the coordination of IP disputes with parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions and is acclaimed as a leading destination for anti-counterfeiting and passing-off disputes.
Band 5
5 Charles Russell SpeechlysIntellectual Property2026 | Band 5 | 10 Years RankedCharles Russell Speechlys is highly regarded for trade mark prosecution and IP-led transactions such as licence agreements and joint venture formations. The team also assists with the treatment of IP assets in M&A deals. The team is also well known for misuse of confidential information disputes and particularly litigation concerning non-traditional trade marks.
5 Jones DayIntellectual Property2026 | Band 5 | 3 Years RankedJones Day is valued for its global network with capabilities across all rights in contentious, commercial and corporate IP matters. The IP team is noted for its expertise in branding matters and trade mark disputes. Its distinguished client roster is drawn from sectors such as technology, aviation, entertainment and healthcare.5 Norton Rose FulbrightIntellectual Property2026 | Band 5 | 4 Years RankedNorton Rose Fulbright is acclaimed for its full-service commercial and contentious brands practice, which is particularly recommended for trade mark, copyright, database and designs-related disputes and transactions. The team also advises well-known brands on IP portfolio management, and has additional expertise in technology licensing and electronics, chemical and pharmaceutical patent litigation.5 Slaughter and MayIntellectual Property2026 | Band 5 | 12 Years RankedSlaughter and May advises on the treatment of IP rights in complex corporate transactions, licence agreements and sponsorship deals. The firm has a strong track record in trade mark litigation and represents household names in the life sciences, retail, sports and media sectors. It also offers a programme advising innovators on the protection and exploitation of fintech rights.
Band 6
6 DentonsIntellectual Property2026 | Band 6 | 5 Years RankedDentons is a full-service IP law practice handling commercial and contentious matters involving all core rights, including patent litigation. The firm is praised for its deep expertise advising technology, FMCG and life science sector clients. The firm also offers patent and trade mark prosecution services.