Bio
Jon Parker is one of the most prominent trademark specialists operating in the Middle East today.
Jon is a UK Registered Trademark and Design Attorney in Gowling WLG's Dubai office and leads the firm's Middle East IP practice. He has been practising in the Middle East since 2006 managing IP portfolios around the region and further afield for clients.
Jon has over 35 years of experience in trademark-related matters, including 10 years at the UK Intellectual Property Office, before moving into private practice in 2001.
He provides expert advice to clients on a wide range of intellectual property matters, including brand creation, filing and protection strategies and their implementation, including the use of the Madrid Protocol. He has extensive experience in managing global IP portfolios for clients, as well as the strategic management of regional and international portfolios, and the enforcement of these rights. His practice also covers the management of IP litigation matters in the UAE and elsewhere for clients. He also oversees the firm's patent offering and commercial IP work, assisting clients in the protection and commercialisation of rights, through appropriate agreements, with related training.
His practice extends to all aspects of trademark, design and copyright clearance, strategy, prosecution, opposition, enforcement and litigation matters. He represents clients in all industry segments, with particular expertise in real estate, technology, FMCG, F&B services, consumer products, retail and leisure, hospitality, pharmaceuticals and luxury goods. Most recently, Jon's practice has developed to assist clients in emerging technologies such as AI, NFTs, the Metaverse and other virtual assets.
Jon is the co-head of Gowling WLG's global Brand Protection team.
Jon is a member of the UK's Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA), and an active member of the International Trademark Association (INTA).
Jon is a frequent speaker on trademark issues in local and international conferences. He also plays an active role in offering training as well as educational and awareness sessions to companies, individuals and business groups in relation to intellectual property rights.
World Trademark Review has recognised Jon in each edition of its prestigious annual guide, WTR 1000 since the inaugural WTR 1000 in 2011. Gowling WLG's UAE IP team has also achieved "Gold" status in the UAE in the WTR 1000 rankings since 2018. Jon has been ranked as an IP STAR by Managing Intellectual Property magazine since it introduced this award in 2013 and his team were named "Middle East Firm to watch" by the publication in 2019. He was named the Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026 'UAE Practitioner of the Year'. Jon is recognised as a Band 1 practitioner for Intellectual Property in Chambers Global. He has also been listed in IAM's Global Leaders since 2020. Jon is also ranked as 'Highly Recommended' in the Copyright 1000 2026.
