5 October, 2016
Andrew is a skilled litigation solicitor with nearly twenty years’ experience in brand protection. He has led many successful investigations and enforcement actions against the manufacture, distribution and in-market retail of counterfeit and other illicit products throughout Asia Pacific including China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, and is therefore very familiar with all the local regulations surrounding enforcement. In addition, he works closely with relevant stakeholders to develop market intelligence, encourage industry cooperation and develop coordinated and effective strategies to combat illicit trade. Andrew has particular experience in managing investigations, working with law enforcement on criminal enforcement actions and in conducting follow-up civil litigation against infringers.
Andrew comes with broad and varied commercial litigation experience. He has acted for banks, companies and high-net-worth individuals in banking disputes, liquidations, receiverships, personal bankruptcies, contractual disputes, and intellectual property cases. He also advises on compliance and legislative policy.
Prior to joining Bird & Bird, Andrew worked for a Fortune 100 company as the Global head of Brand Integrity and was a former litigation partner of a leading international law firm.
Matthew Laight, Head of Bird & Bird's IP group in Asia Pacific remarked: "We are delighted to welcome Andrew to our Asia Pacific team. With his joining, the firm's IP offering, specifically in brand protection will be enhanced significantly, thus placing us amongst the strongest teams in Asia Pacific. Andrew will co-ordinate our anti-counterfeiting practice in the region so to provide high level anti-counterfeiting strategies, advice and as necessary, follow up litigation services to clients. Andrew will work closely with other partners in China and across our offices worldwide to further grow the firm's IP practice and will also provide anti-corruption enforcement, compliance and integrity programmes in conjunction with our Corporate and Employment practices.
Currently, we have over 80 IP professionals located across Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. Our team is one of the largest IP teams of any international law firm in China and in the Asia Pacific region. We are committed to our clients and our long-standing background in technology and IP, combined with our sector-focus, gives us a unique insight into the issues clients are facing, and we will continue to strengthen our practice to meet the challenges posed and ever evolving needs of our clients."
