A director in the Intellectual Property team, I specialise in patent and brands and provide contentious and non-contentious IP advice.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 0349
Email: james_rowlands@wragge.com

Services: Intellectual Property

Best brains in ...

Delivering straight-up commercial advice so that clients understand the risks and drivers of any piece of litigation from the outset. It's amazing how many clients have had previous experiences of realising far too late in the process that getting embroiled in litigation is an emotionally time-consuming process. It's vital to be in it for the right reasons and with all available knowledge from the start, wherever possible!

On the transactional side, my experience of secondments (I've been on four of them over the years) means that I understand the key commercial issues that are worth fighting for without preventing the deal getting done.

Highlight of your career so far?

There have been a few! One that was particularly memorable involved a piece of brands litigation in which I was acting for a defendant who was up-and-coming in the financial services sector. It was a hard-fought battle but we managed to put forward a counterclaim that took the other side completely by surprise. The result? A fantastic settlement for my client, on the steps of court. I had one very happy (and wealthier) client!

Most challenging job you've ever done?

It is often the smaller matters that are the hardest. For one small licensing deal for a client in the health sector, the budget was tight, the deal complex and other side was difficult. A lethal combination. However, I managed to deliver a result to budget and came out with my sanity in tact.

What about outside UK?

Many of my clients are based outside the UK – reflecting the international nature of IP work. And it's one of the reasons why I love it. I've got experience in co-ordinating cross-jurisdictional litigation and regularly speak with clients in Switzerland, Germany, Japan and the US.

What's your definition of going the extra mile... And when have you done it?

Providing some important and complex brands advice to a new client while I was on honeymoon. The client was very impressed...my wife wasn't!

How do you get under the skin of a client business?

By regularly speaking to my clients to find out what really makes their business tick. I'm a great believer that a phone call is better (or a face-to-face meeting better still) than an email as you never know what nugget of information you may learn that may help you to provide a better commercial service to your client.

What's your single greatest contribution to Wragge & Co's corporate responsibility?

Learning (pathetically slowly) to always make sure I turn off my computer and all lights around me when I leave the office - however late (or early in the morning!) it is...oh, and I never use a lift in the office!

What's been written or said about you that you're most proud of?

A client that I have worked with for many years said in a client review that they saw me as a "seamless extension to their in-house team – not only providing a great legal service but fun to have a drink or two with as well!"