AWA Asia
Firm Overview:
The ‘East-meets-West’ approach of IP consultancy AWA provides an alternative for brands entering the Chinese market. Named after Swedish founder Anders Wilhelm Anderson, AWA Asia is part of a 20+ office Europe and Asia ‘twin offering’ to international clients and referral firms navigating an unfamiliar territory. AWA Asia’s trademark practice focuses on maximising and maintaining brand value for clients of all sizes, in sectors including food and beverage, technology, automotive and luxury companies. The Beijing office is a licensed trademark agency meaning AWA’s capabilities extend to filing and enforcement of trademarks directly before the China Trademark Office.
Team Overview:
Beijing based Ai-Leen Lim, CEO and principal counsel of AWA Asia, has “put together a phenomenal team of people who share her ethos of being very responsive and very knowledgeable”. The former Bird & Bird partner has formed deep relationships with lawyers and clients outside of China, using her “super creative problem solving” to assist on global portfolios. Lim’s international approach receives positive feedback, as one US lawyer says, “to this day she has had more wins than any Chinese counsel I’ve ever known. I can’t say enough good things”. AWA’s team includes partner Ashley Zhao, who “makes the magic happen” on both contentious and non-contentious matters for clients in food and beverage, entertainment and IT.
