CMS

Firm overview:

Global full-service firm CMS, active in China since the mid-1990s with offices in Beijing and Shanghai, holds its place in the rankings this year.

Across the trademark group, CMS employs more than 450 specialist lawyers, patent and trademark attorneys, and scientists in 47 jurisdictions. Trademark specialists at CMS take an industry-specific approach, working with some of the best-known brands, from banks to tech companies, pharmaceuticals and FMCG companies.

Team overview:

Nick Beckett, former managing partner of the Beijing and Hong Kong Offices and global co-head of the firm’s Life Sciences & Healthcare Group, left CMS in April 2024 after almost 28 years. However, he remains managing partner, Hong Kong office, at Lau, Horton & Wise, which operates in association with CMS Hasche Sigle (a member of CMS which employs China experts based in Germany). Ranked as an individual in the 2023 rankings, the impact of Beckett’s departure will be significant.

Jonathan Chu, partner and head of the Beijing office, is a WIPR Insights’ Leader 2024. A Hong Kong-qualified lawyer, Chu has advised clients in several industries as a go-to legal counsel on regional IP rights in both contentious and non-contentious legal matters.

Individuals:

• Jonathan Chu, Recommended (Contentious); Notable (Non-Contentious)