Esther Kirwan has been promoted to head Clarion’s growing intellectual property (IP) practice.
Kirwan, who has been with Clarion for six years, spending the last three years as a partner, has over 17 years’ IP experience. Specialising in contentious and non-contentious IP, she has expertise in all IP matters relating to patents, designs, trademarks, passing off, copyright, databases and confidential information. Her experience includes litigation and dispute resolution (ranging from Court of Appeal patent disputes to trade mark oppositions), as well as advising on registered IP protection, IP agreements and exploitation.
Clarion’s IP team, which the firm says is the largest in a full service firm in Leeds, has an impressive portfolio of blue chip clients including global brands such as Hard Rock Café and Arla, as well as representing numerous technology, chemical, pharmaceutical and biotech companies and leading Yorkshire SMEs and entrepreneurs.
“Our IP practice has successfully established itself as one of the most renowned in the region, working with an impressive range of leading companies locally, nationally and internationally,” said Richard Moran, senior partner at Clarion.
“From 2015 to 2016, we have seen revenue in our IP practice grow by almost 38% based on the high quality of our work and Esther has played a key role in our success. During her six years with Clarion, she has been instrumental in strengthening relationships with existing clients as well as attracting many new ones.
“Esther has established a reputation as a leading name in this specialist area and has been particularly effective in supporting our growing portfolio of overseas work. This latest promotion is well deserved and I’m sure that the practice will continue to grow and flourish in her capable hands.”
Kirwan said that the promotion was a great opportunity to lead a well-established, reputable team and to build on the practice’s success.
“With more and more global companies seeking to protect their intellectual property wherever they trade, we have great opportunities to consistently deliver high levels of service and expert advice to a diverse range of clients from SMEs to multinationals,” she said.
Kirwan will be supported by legal director Sue Streatfield in the six-strong team. Clarion’s IP practice encompasses all aspects of intellectual property law, including the identification, protection and commercial exploitation of intellectual property, as well as litigation and the resolution of intellectual property disputes.
