Simmons & Simmons

Firm overview:

Simmons & Simmons is an international law firm recognised for its innovations in AI. The brands group of lawyers and trademark attorneys assists with all forms of trademark needs. With eight locations worldwide, the group has the capabilities to advise on global portfolios and multi-jurisdictional issues, including those arising from Brexit. 

Simmons & Simmons’ non-contentious practice has solid reach for its long-standing clients, with trademark applications filed in the UK, Europe and Asia. Peers recognise the firm as “good on the litigation side”, as the team advises on registry disputes and before English courts. Its stellar list of well-known brands includes fashion retailers ranging from high-street to luxury, such as TK Maxx, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hermes and Hugo Boss.

In addition to its legal practice, Simmons & Simmons launched Rocketeer in 2021, billed as “the world’s first AI trademark lawyer”. Using a dataset of 13,000+ trademarks, the programme predicts the outcome of disputes before the UK and EU Intellectual Property Offices (IPOs), with a reported 92% accuracy at the EUIPO.

Team overview:

Darren Meale, brand portfolio manager and litigator, is a key industry player and thought leader. Meale is a deputy district judge at the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, and hosts the Retromark conference series in association with The IPKat. Notably, he developed the firm’s impressive AI tool, Rocketeer, recognised by peers for its innovation. 

Joining the team in 2022 from Withers & Rogers and bringing key clients, Marisa Broughton is a trademark attorney specialising in the medical devices, fashion and food sectors. Broughton, based in the Bristol office, is focused on portfolio management and prosecution.

Key matters:

• Simmons & Simmons is the sole UK trademark counsel for US winery E&J Gallo for its contentious and non-contentious matters. Key work by the firm includes numerous opposition proceedings before the UKIPO, and success against third parties infringing on the client’s well-known Barefoot wines. Recently, Darren Meale and associate George Mattey (now at J A Kemp) advised E&J Gallo on clearance and protection for new product launches and on new portfolio brands gained through recent acquisitions.
• Meale and supervising associate Matthew Siddaway represent pet insurer Petsure in a trademark infringement and passing off matter brought by rival Vetsure before the UK High Court. Vetsure alleges Petsure copied its brand with Simmons arguing Petsure is a spin-off from insurance company Staysure. The matter is of high risk for the client, as Petsure has won industry awards in its launch year and Vetsure seeks an injunction that could require a rebrand. The matter is expected to conclude in summer 2024.

Clients:

Abercrombie & Fitch, Bank of London and the Middle East, E&J Gallo, Etsy, Hermes, Hugo Boss, Major League Baseball, Paw Patrol, Petsure, TK Maxx