ANDREW LEE

Partner & Head of IP Litigation

Andy Lee is a Partner and Head of Intellectual Property Litigation at Brandsmiths. He is recognised as one of the UK's leading intellectual property litigators, advising businesses ranging from innovative start-ups to global brand owners on complex, high-value and strategically significant disputes.

Since qualifying in 2008, Andy has built a market-leading practice spanning trade marks, copyright, passing off and related commercial disputes. He regularly acts before the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and UK Supreme Court, and has appeared in numerous precedent-setting cases which have helped shape the development of UK intellectual property law.

Andy is frequently instructed on matters involving novel legal issues, reputationally sensitive disputes and cross-border enforcement strategies. His practice increasingly has an international dimension, coordinating litigation across multiple jurisdictions and advising on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights worldwide. Clients value his ability to combine technical excellence with clear commercial judgement, developing litigation strategies that are both legally robust and aligned with wider business objectives.

Andy has led many of the firm's most significant matters, including disputes concerning global consumer brands, luxury goods, online marketplaces, technology businesses and emerging AI issues. He has particular expertise in cases requiring creative legal thinking, complex strategic decision-making and the coordination of large multi-disciplinary teams.

Andy is consistently recognised by the leading legal directories as one of the UK's leading intellectual property litigators. Chambers & Partners describes him as "a leader in IP in the UK", adding that his "technical knowledge is second to none" and that his "client skills are equally impressive". World Trademark Review describes him as "a master of all things trademark and the man to go to for creative and unexpected solutions", while Legal 500 has referred to Andy as a "true star" and praised him as "super-intelligent", "ingenious" and "very tactically astute". Andy is also a two-time winner of the Managing IP EMEA Awards' UK Soft IP Practitioner of the Year (2023 and 2025).

Alongside his litigation practice, Andy works closely with clients as a trusted strategic adviser, helping businesses navigate disputes in a way that protects not only their legal rights but also their commercial objectives and long-term brand value. He is known for his collaborative approach, pragmatic advice and ability to find innovative solutions to complex legal problems.

andy@brandsmiths.co.uk
0203 709 9001