Leeds IP specialist merger creates 200-strong firm

Leeds-based IP law firm Kempner & Partners has announced it is to merge with Haseltine Lake, a Bristol-based trademark specialist.

With effect from today (1 May) the companies will combine to create an “IP powerhouse”. The merged firm is to be called Haseltine Lake Kempner.

It employs nearly 200 people across seven locations, including London, Munich, Bristol, Leeds, Glasgow, as well as a site in the Netherlands and at Guangzhou in China.

For the past two years the firms have been working together on a combined offering.

Richard Kempner, senior partner of Kempner & Partners said: “Even though this year has been our best yet, with more clients and more success than we’ve ever had, the merger is a tremendously exciting move for us.

“It represents the next stage in our growth, development and ability to service our clients’ needs.
“Others have sought to do this by bolting on individuals, but we believe that the better way is to combine two highly successful practices in a genuine merger, so that we can together build a new, joined up, fully integrated practice”.

Rolf Stein, CEO of Haseltine Lake (pictured) said: “We see this as a real coup for our clients who have been telling us for some time that they would like us to be able to offer the full spectrum of IP services including litigation and IP transactional support.

“We are delighted that HL’s global success has attracted one of the UK’s leading IP litigation firms. We very much have a shared ethos and are driven by a common desire to be truly outstanding for our clients. Over the next few months we will be showcasing how we are different and how this will benefit our clients and the wider IP community”.

Kempner & Partners was founded in 2009 and its attorneys focus entirely on IP litigation, trade mark portfolio and non-contentious IP transactional work. IIt comprises four partners, including two of its founding and senior partners, Richard Kempner and Jason Dainty.

Mr Kempner started his career at Linklaters before moving to Addleshaw Goddard where he became a senior partner and board member before breaking away to start his own firm.

Clients include Tesco, Jet2.com, JD Sports, Regus, Gianni Versace, Farrow & Ball, Birds Eye, Findus and Wren Kitchens.

Haseltine Lake focuses mainly on technology areas, namely chemistry and life sciences, electronics and communications, and energy, environment and engineering.