Michael is a Partner in our intellectual property team, and is based in our Bristol office. Michael joined Birketts in 2026 having served as a Partner in a leading IP boutique firm since 2018.
Michael is a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney (qualified 2010) and has extensive experience of managing global trade mark portfolios and advising clients from SMEs to multinationals on brand clearance, protection and strategy. He has particular expertise in handling contentious proceedings before the UKIPO, and on appeal to the Appointed Person, where he regularly advocates orally for clients, and has a strong track record of running successful appeals from the UKIPO into the High Court.
Michael also has a substantial designs practice and regularly advises clients on registered and unregistered design matters. He is particularly experienced in devising strategies to clear 2D and 3D designs for use, as well as in developing effective protection strategies, whether for consumer products, technical products or graphical user interfaces.
Michael has a diverse international client base and is a regular speaker at global IP events on subjects relating to both trade marks and designs.
Recent work highlights
Negotiated a complex settlement agreement of long running trade mark dispute in the clothing retail sector, involving multi-jurisdictional registry proceedings and threats of infringement.
Successful defence of a trade mark opposition against leading electric car manufacturer based on rights in an identical mark for folding mobility scooters (subject to appeal).
Successful appeal to the High Court of trade mark opposition decision involving claims of descriptiveness and lack of distinctiveness of a trade mark.
Experience & education
2026 Joined Birketts
2018 Partner at Haseltine Lake Kempner LLP
2012 Postgraduate Diploma in Copyright Law (King’s College London)
2010 Qualified as a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney
2006 MA in German & Spanish, Cambridge University
Areas of Expertise
Accreditations
World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000 2025
Recommended Individual
International Federation of IP Attorneys (FICPI)
Deputy chair of Designs Committee (CET-2) and member of UK Council
Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA)
Member
International Trademark Association (INTA)
Member