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Huge news from Brandsmiths HQ – we’ve had our biggest ever success in the Legal 500 2026 rankings, making significant moves up the tables and securing a number of individual recognitions. Our new trade marks, copyright and designs team has also been recognised within the PATMA: Trade mark attorneys category, despite only being established in Summer 2024.

These results confirm what clients and the market is saying: Brandsmiths is the IP firm to watch, and we’re rapidly becoming the UK’s leading IP law firm.

Major moves in the tables 

This year saw some of the most important jumps in our firm’s history:

• Intellectual Property: Trade Marks, Copyright & Design Litigation – moved up to Tier 3 in London and maintained our position at Tier 2 in the North West, placing us firmly among the top firms in the country for complex disputes. 
• Sports – promoted to Tier 5 in London and maintained our position at Tier 2 in the North West, reflecting our central role in some of the highest-profile matters in the industry. 
• Commercial litigation – a brand new ranking for us in the North West, at Tier 6. It’s great to see our incredible litigation team recognised for its stand-out results, depth of expertise and trusted client relationships. 
• PATMA: Trade Mark Attorneys – named a Firm to Watch just one year after launching the practice. This is a huge milestone and proof of how quickly Brandsmiths can build market-leading capability. 

• Leading Individuals: 
  • Michael Forrester – Intellectual Property (North West) 
• Next Generation Partners: 
  • Andy Lee – Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design (London) 
  • David Seligman – Sport (North West) 
  • Tom Keane (NEW FOR 2026) – Sport (North West)