AWA and AWA Asia excel in latest WTR 1000 rankings
The 2021 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals has been published.
AWA in Denmark and Sweden as well as AWA Asia in China have all been listed as recommended firms with several attorneys also receiving recommended individual rankings across prosecution and strategy as well as enforcement and litigation categories.
The WTR 1000 research directory, which focuses exclusively on trademark practices and practitioners, has established itself as one of the go-to resources in the market for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise. World Trademark Review undertook an exhaustive qualitative research project to identify the firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in this critical area of practice.
Below is a summary of the rankings by jurisdiction for AWA and AWA Asia:
China
Recommended firm for China – foreign firms.
Ai-Leen Lim listed as a recommended individual in the gold banding and Ashley Zhao listed in the bronze banding.
In the write-up for China foreign firms, WTR commented the following on AWA Asia’s practice:
“AWA Asia’s China trademark practice continues to grow from strength to strength. Fifteen professionals stationed in China and Hong Kong provide ‘personal and timely services of the highest quality’ to a primarily European clientele across a range of sectors while being ‘flexible on cost to accommodate clients’ budgets.’ Brand owners seeking assistance on all kinds of IP issues in China value the ‘depth of expertise, speedy turnaround and ability to translate local legal concepts into relatable terms’.
“Much of the firm’s success in Asia can be attributed to the ‘brilliant legal strategist and admirable leader’ Ai-Leen Lim. Managing the Hong Kong headquarters and the Chinese IP consultancy in Beijing, she ‘not only meets expectations, but far surpasses them’. Her personal qualities and ‘thoughtful and kind nature’ have allowed her to build a loyal client base where she ‘treats clients like friends’. Not only do they benefit from ‘clear and concise guidance that won’t break the bank’, they ‘love working with Ai-Leen’. Foreign associates are just as enthusiastic: ‘Ai-Leen excels because she always adds value and treats every matter with care.’ ‘She has a keen understanding of the law in China and Hong Kong. Above all, she is pragmatic and assertive when facing challenges. I love that she is able to look at complex issues from every angle and seems to automatically know the perfect and most expedited solution.’
“Ashley Zhao is another member of the ‘diligent, practical and business-oriented’ team, providing ‘clear guidance on challenging aspects of trademark law in China’”.
Denmark
Recommended firm for Denmark in the silver banding.
Anette Rasmussen listed as a recommended individual for prosecution and strategy in the gold banding and for enforcement and litigation in the silver banding. Claus Marcussen is listed as a recommended individual for prosecution and strategy in the silver banding.
In the write-up for Denmark, WTR commented the following on AWA’s practice:
Few can rival the strength in depth, geographical reach and international presence of AWA. Resolutely committed to intellectual property, the powerhouse has 19 outposts around the world, including in Beijing and Hong Kong, and also recently set up shop in Norway. It is thus ideally placed to assist budding entrepreneurs and multinational conglomerates looking to establish and protect their rights worldwide. ‘A safe pair of hands for any trademark matter, Anette Rasmussen stands at the forefront of legal developments both at home and abroad;’ as testament to this, she was appointed president of the European Communities Trademark Association in 2020. The charismatic lawyer is a repository of trust for clients such as Pandora, Starbucks and The Glenmorangie Company. Well versed in the art of prosecution, Claus Marcussen has spent more than two decades working with Danish and EU marks as well as Madrid Protocol Registrations.
Sweden
Recommended firm for prosecution and strategy in the gold banding and for enforcement and litigation in the silver banding.
Kristian Martinsson, Gustav Melander, Ted Hagman and Lars Pettersson all listed as recommended individuals for prosecution and strategy with Lars also listed in the silver banding for enforcement and litigation.
In the write-up for Sweden, WTR commented the following on AWA’s practice:
“A major player on the global IP landscape, AWA possesses incredible strength in depth and enviable geographical reach: the titan maintains a presence in every corner of the world through 19 offices and has recently opened a branch in Norway to further cement its foothold in the Nordic market. Its all-star trademark line-up comprises Gustav Melander, Kristian Martinsson, Lars Pettersson and Ted Hagman, who can cover every stage of trademark protection between them. AWA strengthened its prosecution offering when it signed on Melander: this former senior legal adviser at the Designs and Trademarks Department of the Swedish Patent Office knows how to lay down the foundations of a strong brand. Companies keen to supercharge their portfolios or freshen up their image are in safe hands with Martinsson; while Pettersson has all the tools needed to tenaciously defend and enforce their rights. ‘He is easy to work with and solves problems effectively’ – qualities also shared by WTR 1000 newcomer Hagman, who attracts vocal praise this year. ‘His ability to collaborate and engage with evolving business goals enables him to work well with in-house legal teams – so much so that he becomes part of the group. Ted also makes sure that communication lines are open and keeps clients looped in at every stage, while remaining transparent on costs’”.