John Coldham
Partner
John Coldham is Gowling WLG's UK Head of Brands and Designs, and co-heads the global practice. John also jointly heads the firm's Retail and Leisure Sector.
John's team is MIP Designs Firm of the Year 2022, having also won the award in 2019, 2020 and 2021. It is the only firm ever to win the award four years in a row. John and his team have acted on many reported designs cases, including for G-Star Raw, Dyson, Freddy, Neptune Kitchens and Shnuggle baby baths. This experience means that John has first hand experience of what works well and what does not in the world of design protection.
John is a recognised expert in all types of intellectual property strategy and litigation. He won the Client Choice Award for Designs in both 2019 and 2021, and has been recognised as a 'star lawyer' by the Acritas Stars (now Thomson Reuters Stand Out Lawyers) database each year since 2017. John also has MIP's 'IP Star' status in both trade marks and designs (one of only two lawyers in the UK to hold the latter title).
Clients and industry colleagues alike speak highly of John's experience and expertise, with WTR1000 describing John as "astute, commercial and knowledgeable". Legal 500 describes John as "highly praised for his excellent track record in design cases" and being "well versed in balancing legal questions against business needs and PR aspects". The directory says that John attracts "praise for his 'practical, commercial perspective, innovative solutions to problems, and straightforward advice'", as well as being a "great negotiator" and an "expert in the design field and a go-to person for design disputes". Ranked in the silver tier of the prestigious WTR1000 listing, it says that "John's in-depth knowledge in trademarks, designs and copyright is near-unrivalled, and results in clear advice which takes all factors into account. On a personal level, he is approachable, responsive and can explain complex legal concepts in a simple way.". WTR1000 has also described John as achieving "excellent outcomes around trademark and design infringement issues and does so in a way that minimises the costs involved. He is highly practical and does not sit on the fence - he gives you a good steer".
John's team is MIP Designs Firm of the Year 2022, having also won the award in 2019, 2020 and 2021. It is the only firm ever to win the award four years in a row. John and his team have acted on many reported designs cases, including for G-Star Raw, Dyson, Freddy, Neptune Kitchens and Shnuggle baby baths. This experience means that John has first hand experience of what works well and what does not in the world of design protection.
John is a recognised expert in all types of intellectual property strategy and litigation. He won the Client Choice Award for Designs in both 2019 and 2021, and has been recognised as a 'star lawyer' by the Acritas Stars (now Thomson Reuters Stand Out Lawyers) database each year since 2017. John also has MIP's 'IP Star' status in both trade marks and designs (one of only two lawyers in the UK to hold the latter title).
Clients and industry colleagues alike speak highly of John's experience and expertise, with WTR1000 describing John as "astute, commercial and knowledgeable". Legal 500 describes John as "highly praised for his excellent track record in design cases" and being "well versed in balancing legal questions against business needs and PR aspects". The directory says that John attracts "praise for his 'practical, commercial perspective, innovative solutions to problems, and straightforward advice'", as well as being a "great negotiator" and an "expert in the design field and a go-to person for design disputes". Ranked in the silver tier of the prestigious WTR1000 listing, it says that "John's in-depth knowledge in trademarks, designs and copyright is near-unrivalled, and results in clear advice which takes all factors into account. On a personal level, he is approachable, responsive and can explain complex legal concepts in a simple way.". WTR1000 has also described John as achieving "excellent outcomes around trademark and design infringement issues and does so in a way that minimises the costs involved. He is highly practical and does not sit on the fence - he gives you a good steer".