Kate Swaine

Kate Swaine is a partner and Co-head of Intellectual Property, Global. She is also a member of the firm's China Management Team that oversees the operations of its China offices as well as a member of the firm's International Board. Kate is an experienced litigator and works with her clients on both domestic and international intellectual property (IP) portfolios. Kate is an expert in managing global enforcement programs and co-ordinates work in over 50 countries.

An expert in all aspects of brands and designs, Kate works alongside her clients to ensure they use their intellectual property effectively and commercially to add to the value and reputation of their businesses - whether that's through the clearance of new products and concepts, training design and marketing teams, developing an intellectual property exploitation strategy, or successfully enforcing rights against infringers around the world. She ensures her clients have what they need to achieve the maximum benefit to their business.

Kate is listed in the Hall of Fame by Legal 500 2026 and recognised in Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers 2025. Kate is also recognised as a "trade mark star" in Managing IP's IP Stars Guide 2025 and is recognised as one of the world's leading trade mark professionals in WTR 1000 2025.

"'Kate Swaine is very attentive to her matters and to the individuals connected therewith. She brings in her long-standing experience and her super-nice personality to achieve pragmatic yet flawless results." Legal 500 2026

"Kate is an exceptional lawyer and superb team leader." Chambers 2025

"Kate Swaine is a great partner to work with, very available, very smart and a good person." Legal 500 2026

"First-rate. A true expert in IP with a commercial edge. She is pragmatic and deals with issues quickly and efficiently. She offers the innovative, solution-focussed thinking that I value as an in-house lawyer."IP STARS, Managing Intellectual Property

"Kate is such an approachable and knowledgeable lawyer with a super international outlook. She is also a fabulous person within a very reputable team." WTR1000

Professional memberships

Kate is an active member of CITMA and a member of INTA's Copyright Committee. She is also a member of Marques, the European Brand Owners organisation, and its IP Emerging Issues Team.