2026
"Brandsmiths’ litigation offering is first‑rate. Andy Lee and his team, together with Michael Forster’s team, provide clear, strategic and commercially attuned advice, with frank and realistic assessments of risk and likely outcomes. They are highly responsive on time‑sensitive matters, their drafting and advocacy are consistently strong, and they run cases with a calm assurance that inspires confidence. On a personal level they are a pleasure to deal with: sensible, pragmatic and down‑to‑earth, which makes even high‑pressure disputes far easier to manage."
"Brandsmiths’ filing, prosecution and portfolio administration work has been consistently excellent. Stephen Lowry and his team, with senior associate Priya Gandham as our main day‑to‑day contact, are meticulous and well organised, with deadlines managed reliably and formalities handled accurately the first time. Communication from Lowry and Gandham on status, options and cost is clear and practical, and they are proactive in flagging issues or opportunities rather than simply processing instructions. The team is approachable and straightforward in manner, which makes ongoing portfolio work efficient and low‑friction."
"Brandsmiths’ IP advisory work is a real strength. Lee, Lowry, Gandham and Forster give technically robust advice that is firmly grounded in commercial reality and calibrated to our risk appetite. They take the time to understand our business, brands and longer‑term objectives, and their guidance is concise, pragmatic and genuinely solution‑oriented rather than abstract black‑letter analysis. They are also very open, thoughtful and collaborative, which makes it easy to explore issues at an early stage and shape strategy together."
"Andy Lee has assembled an effective, efficient and aggressive team of experienced litigators."
"They are highly competent and pragmatic, and they resolve issues in a client-friendly and efficient manner."
"Brandsmiths’ litigation team is commercially minded, responsive, and pragmatic. They provide clear assessments of prospects and risk, propose sensible strategy options early, and keep the process tightly managed. Their written work is well-structured and persuasive, and they are effective at translating complex issues into actionable recommendations for decision-makers. Overall, they balance robustness with proportionality and remain focused on outcomes."
"They feel like relatable people, never corporate or detached. They understand the limitations of small businesses and work flexibly to provide services within those limitations. They are prompt, patient and cooperative. They are aggressive and don't faff around with too many back-and-forths which end up costing clients a lot more."
"The filing/prosecution function is efficient and well organised. Communication is clear and timely, deadlines are managed reliably, and the team is proactive in flagging issues (including priority decisions and jurisdiction-specific nuances) before they become problems. Their guidance is practical and business-oriented, and they maintain strong oversight across portfolios with minimal need for follow-up or escalation."
"Their advisory support is solution-driven and easy to work with. They provide concise, actionable advice that is aligned with commercial objectives and risk appetite, and they are particularly strong at offering options (with pros and cons) rather than purely theoretical analysis. They are also responsive on short timelines and communicate clearly with both legal and non-legal stakeholders."
"I have worked with the firm in an enforcement context, including negotiations relating to trademark use, and appreciate their pragmatic and commercially focused approach. The team at Brandsmiths provides clear, straightforward advice regardless of the complexity of the matter."
"Stephen Lowry and Michael Forrester teams are incredibly skilled, responsive and pragmatic. They provide excellent work to our clients in the UK both in terms of prosecution and litigation."
"I like the fact that they provide our clients with pragmatic responses, with a great concern about our clients needs and budgets."
Andrew Lee
"Andrew Lee is an outstanding contentious IP lawyer who combines deep technical expertise with highly commercial judgement. He is particularly strong on complex trade mark and copyright disputes, where he is able to cut through the detail and give clear, confident recommendations rather than heavily caveated options. Lee runs cases with calm authority, anticipating the other side’s approach and steering the wider team effectively, while remaining very approachable, pragmatic and responsive in his dealings with us. Working with him genuinely feels like working with an extension of our internal legal team rather than an external adviser."
"Andy has strong leadership qualities and is excellent at building a team for a particular case. He is always up to date with the law and deploys new case law in ingenious and innovative ways. He knows when to turn on the aggression."
Stephen Lowry
"He is highly competent and has a strong ability to identify solutions that benefit the client."
"Stephen is an exceptional lawyer. He is highly responsive, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented, with strong commercial judgment. He explains complex issues clearly, provides actionable advice, and is consistently reliable under time pressure. His work product is thorough and well-structured, and he manages matters efficiently while keeping stakeholders aligned on strategy and risk."
"Stephen is highly responsive and very competent within his areas of practice. I appreciate his commercial mindset and the direct way in which he provides advice, which is always strategic and practical."
Matthew Siddaway
"Matthew is friendly, approachable and understanding of client's limitations and offers creative solutions to work within those limitations."
2025
"They are excellent at what they do. Their advice is pragmatic, and their costs are never a surprise."
"What I appreciate most about Brandsmiths' IP service and team is their ability to go beyond traditional legal advice. They take a proactive approach, crafting tailored strategies that align seamlessly with our business objectives.
"It feels as though they are an integral part of our organisation, acting as in-house IP specialists who deeply understand our goals and challenges. Their insight, strategic thinking, and hands-on collaboration have consistently added tangible value to our projects. They are not just advisors; they are true partners in protecting and leveraging our intellectual property."
"Hugely experienced litigators, inventive and aggressive when appropriate."
"[They are] experts in the field, congenial and easy to work with."
"I've been consistently impressed by Brandsmiths' ability to provide strategic, cost-effective solutions. Their deep understanding of intellectual property law and their commitment to client satisfaction make them a valuable advisor."
"Very user-focused, very commercially minded."
"They are good at marshalling extensive resources when necessary."
"[They provide] pragmatic, knowledgeable advice."
"Friendly, efficient, effective, and ingenious."
"[We like] the people and the quality of work."
"They [are] nice human beings; just the perfect colleagues to team up with."
