With 41 lawyers, Wragge & Co's Intellectual Property (IP) team is one of Europe's leading dedicated IP practices. Managing Intellectual Property agrees – this year it named Wragge & Co its European High-Tech Law Firm of the Year.

With dedicated IP practices in Germany, China and the UK, this ten-partner team can be found advising some of the world's biggest companies - British Airways, Dyson, Birds Eye, Microsoft and Kingspan - on clearance, exploitation and enforcement of their IP rights. Specialist sub-teams in advertising and marketing, brands (including franchising), high-tech and life sciences combine legal expertise with experience in specific commercial sectors. Technical backgrounds in biochemistry, physics, engineering and microbiology equip the team with practical insight into clients' needs.

David Barron, described as "seasoned, ethical, even-keeled with great judgement", leads the High-Tech team, which is active in some of the biggest cases ever to be heard in the UK Patents Court. The Brands team, led by Cerryg Jones, has earned plaudits for its ground-breaking work in trade mark, copyright and designs enforcement, while Michael Luckman provides a brand audit service to ensure clients' IP portfolios are commercially relevant to their businesses and effectively protected.

Patrick Duxbury heads a team of talented life sciences lawyers acting for clients at the cutting edge of this technical sector. Gordon Harris is a World Intellectual Property Organisation disputes panellist and is on the recommended panel of mediators for the UK Patents County Court.

When it comes to fighting IP disputes in Europe, Germany is an attractive European jurisdiction, based on costs and procedure. Dr. Michael Schneider and Dr. Alexander Bayer are experts in patent and utility model infringement and invalidity, brands, licensing, data protection, freedom to operate opinions, copyright, designs, unfair competition and domain name disputes. They help clients achieve fast, cost-effective results from their base in Munich and, together with the UK team, advise on European cross-border enforcement and strategies.

The team's expertise is not confined to Europe. Dr Jian Xu heads the team's China office in Guangzhou, providing advice on all aspects of IP enforcement and exploitation in a region that is increasingly a priority to clients' business expansion and development.

Sector specialisation, technical expertise and commercial pragmatism are fundamental to the team and its clients. Legal 500 2009 agrees: "Wragge & Co shines on the IP side under the leadership of Gordon Harris, and clients place it 'streets ahead of other firms'".

A regular supply of analysis and practical tips on the big issues affecting IP keeps the team's contacts up to date with developments ahead of their competition. Articles, seminars, industry membership and speaking engagements in the UK, Germany, China, Singapore, California, Boston, Chicago, The Netherlands, Prague, Paris, Rome and Copenhagen ensure an international reputation for thought leadership.

For more about IP, contact Gordon Harris (gordon_harris@wragge.com).