Kate Swaine is a partner and Co-head of Intellectual Property, Global. She is an experienced litigator and works with her clients on both domestic and international intellectual property (IP) portfolios. Kate is an expert in managing global enforcement programs and co-ordinates work in over 50 countries. Kate was recognised in Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers 2021 and was named among the top female intellectual property (IP) lawyers in the world in Managing Intellectual Property's 2021 global list of the "Top 250 Women in IP".
An expert in all aspects of brands and designs, Kate works alongside her clients to ensure they use their intellectual property effectively and commercially to add to the value and reputation of their businesses - whether that's through the clearance of new products and concepts, training design and marketing teams, developing an intellectual property exploitation strategy, or successfully enforcing rights against infringers around the world. She ensures her clients have what they need to achieve the maximum benefit to their business.
Kate is listed as a Leading Lawyer by Legal 500 and recognised in Expert Guides: Women in Business Law and in World Trademark Review 2021. Kate is also recognised as a "trade mark star" in Managing IP's IP Stars Guide 2022.
"First-rate. A true expert in IP with a commercial edge. She is pragmatic and deals with issues quickly and efficiently. She offers the innovative, solution-focussed thinking that I value as an in-house lawyer.
Managing Intellectual Property
"A leader in high-end IP work who knows what the emerging issues are. Kate's responses are always swift and helpful."
Chambers 2021
"Very hands-on, pragmatic and down to earth people. Ahead of developments. I love Kate Swaine!"
Legal 500 2021
Experience
- Leading a global team advising Dyson on IP issues.
- Operating a global hub for Dyson Technology, managing the enforcement of its IP rights in the Dyson Bladeless fan range in over 40 countries.
- Working with Baker Tilly International on global brand and licensing work.
- Advising Kingspan on IP enforcement and clearance, including trademark infringement proceedings, advertising clearance and a comparative advertising and malicious falsehood claim which Kingspan won at trial (Kingspan Group Plc (1) Kingspan Holdings (IRL) Limited v. Rockwool Limited [2011] EWHC 250 (Ch)).
- Leading a team supporting Aston Martin Lagonda on the enforcement of its intellectual property.
- Advising Weetabix on all aspects of its global trademark portfolio protection and enforcement.
- Leading A Nelson & Co's global enforcement program for its homeopathic brand range.
- Working with Baylis & Harding Plc on the enforcement and protection of its brand portfolio.
- Acting for Major League Baseball in the enforcement of its UK trade marks.
- Advising Pandora on IP protection and enforcement.
- Leading the brand protection and enforcement team advising the Organising Committee for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.
Kate has also worked on a number of significant Government projects including advising on branding guidelines and strategy, on the use and ownership of IP by Government bodies and on rebranding projects for public services
Year Joined Firm: 1994
Education/Alumni: Bristol University, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Law School, University of York
Network Memberships: CITMA, INTA, MARQUES
