ACID is delighted to announce that Stevens & Bolton has joined its team of IP specialist Legal Affiliates, pledging support to the ACID design and creative community by providing IP advice and guidance. Our legal affiliates play a key role in education, leading webinars on all things IP. This work is vital in sharing practical guidance and raising awareness of IP issues such as the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

Joining ACID from Stevens & Bolton, are:

Tom Lingard, Partner

Tom is Head of Intellectual Property and works with clients to commercialise innovation, enforce their IP rights and protect their reputations. He helps them to build and protect value in their IP and brands, and to navigate and resolve disputes in the UK and internationally. Tom has represented clients from across the world to bring and defend claims in the UK for design right, copyright, trade mark and patent infringement; breach of confidence; and defamation.

Elaine O’Hare, Partner

Elaine is Head of Brand Protection, Luxury and Fashion. She works with brands to build, protect and enforce their IP rights, focusing on proactive brand strategy, designing global protection, licensing and commercialisation programmes tailored to their needs. Elaine has brought and defended scores of claims for design right, copyright and trade mark infringement on behalf of clients ranging from listed entities to start-ups.

Kate Hamson-Maguire, Senior Associate

Kate helps clients protect, commercialise and enforce their valuable IP rights. She provides strategic advice on protection, enforcement and exploitation – helping businesses balance commercial and legal considerations to build successful brands and accelerate innovation. Kate’s expertise includes brand management, infringement disputes, licensing and acquisitions.

Jessica Gregson, Associate

Jess supports clients in realising and protecting the value of their IP, advising on portfolio management and licensing, brand protection, infringements and dispute resolution. She has a particular interest in protecting the creative works and designs that define the fashion and luxury industries.

ACID Legal Affiliates are an integral benefit of ACID membership and campaigning work, with their invaluable legal expertise. Stevens & Bolton will amplify and enhance the excellent service provided by ACID’s existing Legal Affiliates and we look forward to working together.

Elaine O’Hare, Stevens & Bolton, said,  “For many businesses, intellectual property is among their most valuable assets. We are delighted to join ACID’s Legal Affiliate Team and look forward to helping members identify, protect and realise the commercial value of their IP rights.”

Nick Kounoupias, ACID Chief Counsel, said, “I have known Tom and Elaine’s team for many years and their experience in Design IP issues will be an invaluable benefit to our members”

Laura Newbold Breen, ACID CEO, said,  “I am very much looking forward to working with the Stevens & Bolton team, who I’m sure will be an asset to both the ACID team and our members”.

Download the full press release here!