Kerry Lee Joins Squire Patton Boggs

(MANCHESTER/LONDON – December, 2017) – Squire Patton Boggs welcomes Kerry Lee, the former Head of Group Intellectual Property of Walgreens Boots Alliance, as a partner in the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice in the Manchester and London offices. He has extensive experience in contentious and non-contentious IP enforcement and e-commerce matters in relation to trademark, design, patent, copyright, domain name and other IP matters across Europe, South East Asia and North America.

For over 12 years, Mr. Lee led the IP department of one of the world’s largest health and beauty companies, managing the company’s portfolio of more than 2,000 trademarks, including Walgreens®, Boots®, Clearasil® and Nurofen®. Mr. Lee managed the Walgreens Boots Alliance’s worldwide IP infringement actions, grievances and disputes, including successfully leading the defense teams in both a highly publicized trademark infringement action and in a patent infringement case against a global consumer goods company.

Mr. Lee conducted due diligence during mergers and acquisitions, including on the £1.9 billion sale of Boots Healthcare International to Reckitt Benckiser. He also advised on all legal aspects of e-commerce and was responsible for the management and acquisition of the group’s domain name portfolio, which included negotiating with third-party owners and taking action against cyber squatters.

Before joining Walgreens Boots, Mr. Lee was Senior Solicitor in the Trade Marks & Brand Protection Group at Field Fisher Waterhouse. He filed and prosecuted trademark applications, and carried out cancellation, invalidation and opposition actions for trademarks and related rights against third parties across Europe on behalf of a wide variety of clients, including for a well-known fashion retail brand. Previously, he practiced for five years in Hong Kong at national and international firms.

“I am delighted to be rejoining private practice at Squire Patton Boggs,” said Kerry Lee. “The firm has an outstanding global client base that complements my experience in the retail and wholesale sectors. The global platform and outlook of Squire Patton Boggs was a big draw for me. My in-house experience has given me a deep understanding of the challenges that IP counsel face and I look forward to putting those insights to use for clients around the world.”

David Elkins, global head of the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice, added: “Kerry’s private practice and public company experience in Europe and Asia, together with his triple qualification in England and Wales, Ireland and Hong Kong, further differentiates the Squire Patton Boggs IP practice and reflects our global capabilities. Given the uncertainties surrounding Brexit and global challenges to brand management, Kerry’s skills and creativity will help to maintain our commitment to the highest level of client service. We are very pleased to welcome him to the team.”

Mr. Lee obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Manchester and a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, as well as a Chinese Language Diploma from Beijing Language and Culture University. He is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales, Ireland and Hong Kong.

Over the last year, the Intellectual Property & Technology team has expanded in the UK with the addition of Simon Jones in Leeds, in the US with the addition of Fernando & Partners LLP and Thomas Anderton in Silicon Valley, and in Europe with a trio of brand management partners along with a five-person-strong team in Frankfurt. This is in addition to an ever-growing Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice, which includes four new partners this year in Brussels and Washington DC, as well as the recent addition of Tony Scott, the former US federal government’s Chief Information Officer.

About Squire Patton Boggs

Squire Patton Boggs is recognized as one of the world’s strongest integrated legal practices, providing insight at the point where law, business and government meet. With more than 1,500 lawyers across 46 offices in 20 countries, the firm delivers commercially focused legal services and invaluable connections on the ground to a diverse mix of clients across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Share

Warning & Disclaimer: The pages, articles and comments on IPWatchdog.com do not constitute legal advice, nor do they create any attorney-client relationship. The articles published express the personal opinion and views of the author as of the time of publication and should not be attributed to the author’s employer, clients or the sponsors of IPWatchdog.com.

Join the Discussion

No comments yet.