INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & TRADE MARKS
I started my career in intellectual property after obtaining an MBA in 2004. Having joined a boutique specialist IP law firm as a temporary PA, I initially carried out paralegal roles for all forms of IP and latterly specialised in trade marks. This grew to establishing a trade mark department distinct from the patent department of an historically mixed practice. From qualification in August 2015 as a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, I assumed full responsibility for the trade mark department, including all renewals and winning prominent new clients and instructions from multinational companies through our exemplary client service and quality of advice.
I joined one of the largest specialist IP law firms as part of an acquisition of this boutique, small specialist IP law firm and was promoted to Director, Trade Marks within a year. With a continued growth in my client base including management of the non-US global portfolio of one of largest family owned businesses in the US and all subsidiaries, based on performance, I was made responsible for US business development liaison for trade mark department including developing the network with in-house counsel.
As a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney I enjoy combining my knowledge and experience as a serial entrepreneur with the legal, strategic, marketing and commercial requirements of advising on, prosecuting and defending trade mark rights for my clients. Having been entered onto the Register of Trade Mark Attorneys in 2015, I have extensive experience of prosecuting, defending and advising on trade mark applications and registrations for clients in a variety of fields ranging from small charities to multi-national corporations, and acting before the UKIPO, EUIPO and WIPO. I work closely with business owners, charities, founders as well as the marketing managers and legal counsels of multi-national corporations. I also advise on filing strategies and the development of trade mark portfolios.
My reputation and the number of mentions awarded in The Legal 500 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019), led me to work closely with foreign attorneys and agents in the filing of UK and European trade mark applications, and in addition help my clients secure foreign trade mark registrations. The Legal 500 (2017) noted that ‘Trade mark specialist Rebecca Dobson has significant experience in working with foreign attorneys in UK, European and foreign trade mark filing applications for multinationals’. The Legal 500 (2016) ‘Rebecca is experienced in prosecuting and advising on trade mark applications for clients from start-ups to multinationals, including recently settling an infringement action against client BM Polyco. The Legal 500 (2015) ‘Rebecca Dobson acted for BM Polyco in negotiating multiple settlements of infringement actions against its trade mark portfolio, and developed domestic and foreign trade mark portfolio strategies with a new start-up business, Chuckling Goat’.
Whilst working as a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, with my husband, I set up and ran a new dry hire events venue including appearances on Channel 4’s Country House Rescue, winning Wedding Venue of the year for London and the South East at the Wedding Industry Awards and being fully booked from second year of trading. The business expanded to incorporate accommodation in the third year of trading and remained fully booked for both the events and accommodation elements for six years. I have also been involved as a committee member of a national charity assisting in the running and management of privately owned historic houses; a volunteer role through invitation to participate in which we represented c.300 independently owned historic buildings with advice, lobbying to government, marketing assistance and support through a Friends Scheme of c.50,000 members in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
Through business knowledge and experience as a client for business-related services, I have a strong belief in providing genuine client and business centric advice. Not only can this be achieved through a true understanding of the business, its objectives and goals, but also through the adaptation of the legal services provided to truly reflect the requirement of the business and client. Intellectual Property is one of, if not the most, valuable assets that an individual or business can have and I’m proud to be able help clients obtain, protect and monetise this in line with their individual objectives.
Aside from intellectual property, I can be found with my young family enjoying the Hampshire and Somerset countryside accompanied by dogs and/or horses, followed by a good party with friends!