How I can help your business

• Advise on, co-ordinate and manage global trade mark, copyright and design protection strategies.
• Handle contentious trade mark, copyright and design matters, including disputes and enforcement.
• Manage complex intellectual property transactional matters, including transfers and assignments.

Overview & Expertise

Mike is a Partner and Chartered Trade Mark Attorney (UK) based in the Manchester office, where he leads the trade mark team and the firm’s design and copyright practice group. He has extensive experience across all aspects of trade mark, copyright and design law.

His work includes the filing and prosecution of UK, overseas and international trade mark and registered design applications, as well as advising on availability and potential conflicts. He provides clear, practical guidance to help clients secure and maintain protection for their intellectual property rights across multiple jurisdictions.

Mike’s practice has a strong focus on contentious matters, including trade mark oppositions, cancellation actions, and infringement disputes. He is also experienced in handling complaints before the Advertising Standards Authority.

He has particular expertise advising clients in the financial services, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and creative industries sectors. His experience also extends to the transfer and assignment of intellectual property rights, supporting clients in managing and commercialising their IP assets effectively.

Mike graduated in Law from Liverpool University before obtaining a distinction in the Legal Practice Course from the College of Law, Chester. He joined Marks & Clerk in 1996 and qualified as a UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, becoming a Partner in 2002. He won the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys’ John Parker Memorial Award, and lectures frequently in relation to trade mark, copyright and design matters.

Client Work & Case Experience

• Financial services — Managing the trade mark portfolio of a leading UK high street bank, including clearance, protection, monitoring and enforcement, and providing strategic portfolio advice.
• Creative industries — Advising an international television production company on the availability of programme titles and straplines, and challenging conflicting third party rights.
• Healthcare — Managing the trade mark portfolio for an international medical devices company, including clearance, protection, enforcement and broader portfolio strategy.
• Designs — Advising on and securing international registered design protection across sectors including healthcare, electronic devices, product packaging and graphical user interfaces.