Sweet success as Lovells secures IP portfolio from Clifford Chance

Mars has handed its high-profile trademark work to Lovells as previous adviser Clifford Chance moves to restructure its intellectual property (IP) practice.

Lovells will now advise Mars on trademark, copyright, design and brand protection matters across a portfolio of products ranging from chocolate brands Galaxy and Snickers to pet food brands Pedigree and Whiskas and food product brands like Uncle Ben's.

The mandate covers work across Europe, Russia and the CIS. It expands on an existing relationship Lovells has with Mars for commercial and regulatory work through corporate head Andrew Skipper.

London-based IP partner David Latham and Alicante IP partner Verena von Bomhard will lead the relationship for trademark and associated work.

Mars is one of CC's largest IP clients. The firm, however, is in the process of restructuring the group, which includes trademark partners Vanessa Marsland and Peter Taylor, so that it sits within CC's communications, media and technology group in the corporate practice. Historically it has been a sub-sector of the litigation practice.

Commenting on Lovells' appointment, Evie Kyriakides, Mars' regional trademark counsel for Europe, Russia and the CIS, said: "We have appointed Lovells based on the firm's track record providing good client service aligned to our commercial needs and its clear commitment to its international IP practice."

CC denied, however, that the firm is moving away from trademark work or downsizing its IP practice.

Marsland said: "Clearly a firm like CC needs IP and trademark capability – the changes being made are as to how the teams providing those services are best organised."

Lovells on the Legal Week Wiki