Sheffield intellectual property team named best in Yorkshire at annual awards

Shakespeare Martineau’s intellectual property team has been named the best in Yorkshire at one of the region’s most respected legal award ceremonies.

The firm was one of three shortlisted in the intellectual property category at the prestigious Yorkshire Legal Awards, which was launched in 2000 and brings together the region’s legal community to recognise and celebrate its many achievements.

The win comes just 12 months after Shakespeare Martineau expanded its intellectual property offering in Sheffield with the appointment of commercial partner Carys Thompson, and legal director Kerry Russell’s move to the Sheffield hub, in Cemetery Road, following increased demand from clients.

Nicholas Briggs, head of intellectual property at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We have continued investing in the Yorkshire market so we are truly thrilled to have been named the best intellectual property firm in the region. This win is testament to the hard work the team has been delivering in South Yorkshire over the past year.”

As well as acting for numerous leading brands and providing expertise to start-ups, entrepreneurs and fast-growth business owners, the team hosts a number of free, regular legal advice clinics for businesses in Sheffield, including pro bono drop-in sessions for entrepreneurs at the Sheffield Technology Park and monthly drop-in clinics at the BIPC within Sheffield Central Library.

The team also hosts virtual one-to-one sessions in partnership with Business Sheffield, which are designed to help both start-up and established businesses to thrive and grow.

Judges said Shakespeare Martineau is doing “impressive litigation work, while engaging in lots of pro bono activity for clients” and cited the firm as a “fantastic example of the strength of intellectual property expertise and experience in Yorkshire”.

Kerry Russell, intellectual property legal director at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Yorkshire is a great market for an IP lawyer. The region hosts many well-established businesses looking to grow by harnessing the power of technology. On top of this, there are lots of amazingly talented entrepreneurs, supported by fantastic Yorkshire-based universities and support networks. We’re glad to be a part of it all.”