The World Trademark Review (WTR) has recognized Gowling WLG among the world's top trademark firms in the 2017 edition of its annual guide, WTR 1000.

In its commentary, WTR praised the firm's superior trademark abilities around the world: "The dust has now settled on Gowlings' 2016 [combination] with Wragge Lawrence Graham, revealing a firm that has impressive strength across the trademark spectrum and extensive geographical reach."

In addition to being recognized as one of only 19 firms with leading international trademark practices, Gowling WLG was also identified among the leading domestic practices in Canada, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as being among the leading foreign firms in China. Most notably, the firm earned top-tier status ("Gold") in Russia (Enforcement and Litigation; Prosecution and Strategy) and in Canada (Trademark Firms).

WTR's praise for Gowling WLG also included the following:

Canada

The classy trademark practice at Gowling WLG is stacked full of premier professionals. Far from simply providing support services to the rest of the firm, the IP group is a shining light at this global commercial enterprise, with a reputation for "doing it all, and doing it all well."

China

Marrying granular legal expertise with a refined cultural understanding, the Chinese arm of Gowling WLG provides soup-to-nuts brand protection services to high-flying multinational brands.

Russia

Firmly rooted in the Russian market, Gowling WLG is "a fine choice for complicated matters." "The team there is very strong … the innovative attorneys know what to do. They can get the job done."

United Kingdom

Wragge Lawrence Graham's merger with Gowlings brings a new international IP titan to the U.K. market … Because it does no trademark filing in Europe, its 'fantastic' crack contentious squad is free to throw its full weight into must-win litigation in the region.

United Arab Emirates

Wragge Lawrence Graham has had boots on the ground in Dubai for some time, though it lacked a Middle East IP practice; the merger with Gowlings and the recent hire of Jon Parker have changed all that, however … It can already field virtually any contentious or non-contentious trademark request and looks set to become a force to be reckoned with on the UAE landscape.

In addition, the guide recognized 26 Gowling WLG trademark professionals worldwide who have collectively earned a total of 34 listings, as outlined below:

Canada

Anti-counterfeiting

Monique M. Couture
Tania D'Souza-Culora
Christopher J. Pibus

Enforcement and litigation

Paul D. Blanchard
James H. Buchan
Monique M. Couture
Tania D'Souza-Culora
Kelly Gill
Robert A. MacDonald
Christopher J. Pibus
Kevin Sartorio
Jane B.H. Steinberg

Prosecution and strategy

Stuart C. Ash
Paul D. Blanchard
Shelagh Carnegie
Monique M. Couture
Margaret A. Fitzpatrick
John G. Leckie
Robert A. MacDonald
Jennifer L. Morton
Frank Mulock
Jane B.H. Steinberg

China (Foreign Firms)

Jamie Rowlands
Jian Xu

Russia

Enforcement and litigation

Alexander Christophoroff
Marina I. Drel
Julianna Tabastajewa

Prosecution and strategy

David Aylen
Anastassia Sinitsyna

United Arab Emirates

Jon Parker

United Kingdom

Enforcement and litigation

Alexandra Brodie
Gordon Harris
Kate Swaine

Prosecution and strategy

Kate Swaine

WTR 1000 is regarded internationally as one of the foremost legal guides, identifying the top trademark professionals practising throughout the world. The results are based on a comprehensive vetting process that includes feedback from professionals, clients and in-house counsel.

With unmatched expertise in patents, trademarks, brands and designs, advertising, IP litigation and more, Gowling WLG's global IP team has been winning cases for clients around the world for more than125 years. With one of the largest and most highly regarded IP practices in Canada, leading practices in the U.K. and Russia, expert teams in Germany, China and Dubai and a global network of IP associates, Gowling WLG's international IP practice can help your business succeed in jurisdictions across every continent.