WORKING POSITIVELY WITH ACID ACCREDITED LAW FIRMS – ACID LEGAL HOTLINE SERVICE
One of the main benefits of ACID membership is access, through its specialist legal hotline 0845 230 5742, to initial free advice on contentious and non contentious intellectual property issues. ACID members may take this free advice and use their own solicitor or take advantage of specially negotiated hourly rates in the order of a reduction on the fees which non-members would pay. If an ACID member decides to instruct an ACID Accredited Law Firm (ALF), they then become a client of the law firm and will enter into a signed confidential agreement, laying out terms on which the relationship will be based. We have put together some guidelines so that there is a complete understanding of how this benefit works and to minimise the likelihood of misunderstandings between an ACID member and their legal advisor. From the outset it is important that the level of expectation within a client relationship is understood by both parties.
The original appointment of ACID Accredited law firms was through a specific tender and McDaniel & Co. and DMH Stallard were two of the ACID Accredited law firms selected out of 31 interested parties. One of the key criteria was to provide access to a friendly, experienced team of IP specialists with a proven track record with both micro enterprises and major brands.
Independent Endorsement
DMH STALLARD
At DMH Stallard, The Intellectual Property team, led by Tim Ashdown, has a proven track record in offering a high-quality service without the expensive price tag of many London firms. The 2007 edition of Chambers highlights “City-quality lawyers at provincial prices”. Several members of their team have worked in-house and within industry, including on recent secondments. This means they understand that clients want commercial, pragmatic advice – rather than options – as in their experience this helps clients make the best business decisions.
Chambers and Partners Guide makes the following comments;
“The marvellously knowledgeable Tim Ashdown tops the bill in DMH Stallards technology and IP department. His clients keep returning for his commercial and concise advice and unerring accuracy when it comes to predicting likely outcomes. He is at the top of his game.”
Chambers and Partners Guide to the Legal Profession 2009
“The group is praised for its deep knowledge of clients’ industries and its ability to “marry rapid responses to advice you can have real confidence in.”….Peers say DMH Stallard is “building up a really serious reputation.””
Chambers and Partners 2010
“Clients value the ‘huge amount of expertise on offer’ at DMH Stallard and commend the group for providing ‘simple, direct answers to whatever questions we ask.’”
Visit the DMH Stallard Website
MCDANIEL & CO
McDaniel & Co. believe that Intellectual Property is a key commercial driver. It allows businesses to maintain their market and ensure that it can maintain a premium image and price. Almost all businesses will have some form of intellectual property rights; however, you need to know what assets you have and how you can exploit those assets to the best advantage. McDaniel & Co know what you need and how to ensure you make the most of it.
McDaniel & Co. has been recognised as one of the leading firms in the North East for Intellectual Property.
“Chambers & Partners”, which is well known amongst clients as being a trusted and reliable source of reference for their search of the very best of lawyers in their particular field, has placed McDaniel & Co. at the top of the league table for Intellectual Property in the North East.
McDaniel & Co. is committed to further expansion within the Intellectual Property market place and will build upon the good work and recognition it has already achieved.
Chambers & Partners said this of McDaniel & Co.;
“This team handles a wide range of patent, copyright, trade mark and design litigation as well as commercial work. Said by sources to be “definitely on the up,” the firm has recently acted for Firecraft in litigation against Focal Point Fires and advised Monitor Coatings on patent licensing. It also has a strong trade mark prosecution practice, acting for Drive Assist, J Barbour & Sons and B-Tech International”
And more specifically of Niall Head-Rapson, “(Niall) is considered to be a major local player and is a respected litigator.” With sources saying “He has great experience which he applies in an incredibly commercial way.”
Visit the McDaniel & Co Website
ACID members can contact the ACID Accredited Law Firms for initial, free advice on contentious and non-contentious matters by first calling the ACID Members Only Legal Hotline on +44 (0)845 2305742