Intellectual property law firm opens first European office

INTELLECTUAL property law firm HGF has opened their first office in continental Europe.

Leeds-headquartered Harrison Goddard Foote will be based at The Hague in The Netherlands, its eleventh office in the firm’s growing portfolio.

The office will be led by Dr Achim Krebs, who joins the firm as a partner from Haseltine Lake, for which he also opened a Netherlands office.

HGF Limited is a firm of patent and trademark attorneys, and the sister-firm of HGF Law. It was founded in 1995 with two solicitors. Now the firm has offices in Sheffield, York, Manchester, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham.

The Netherlands base is close to the expanding European Patent Office, which houses 40% of its staff in The Hague.

Paul Sanderson, chief executive of HGF said: “Our European business has been growing over the last 3 years and we recognise a need to service our existing business connections in the region. The new office will also allow us to bring in new clients to the firm. Achim’s experience and knowledge will be a great asset to the firm.”

“The new office reflects our commitment to provide the highest quality client care and IP solutions to our clients both now and in the future”.

Office lead Dr Krebs said: “HGF has really impressed me with their clear strategic position in the market and their commitment to clients. I am very happy to be joining such a robust firm with a clear vision for Europe”.

HGF Ltd is currently the fourth largest specialist IP firm in Europe and creates and manages IP portfolios for global companies and research institutes.