Elaine O’Hare

Partner
Elaine works with domestic and international clients to protect their brands and resolve IP disputes.
Elaine works with domestic and international clients to protect their brands and resolve IP disputes.

About

Elaine is Head of Brand Protection, Luxury and Fashion. She is recognised as one of the UK’s leading brand protection lawyers and works with clients from around the world to build, protect and enforce their IP rights.

Since joining S&B in 2007 Elaine has brought and defended scores of claims for trade mark, design right and copyright infringement on behalf of clients ranging from listed entities to start-ups.

Elaine collaborates with clients to secure trade mark protection and navigate opposition and cancellation actions around the world. She has particular expertise in the fashion and luxury sector and provides seamless online enforcement solutions, tailored to clients’ needs.

Elaine has a diverse international network and is an active member of the IBA Fashion and Luxury group, MARQUES and AIPPI.

Expertise
Intellectual property Fashion and luxury

Experience

  • Recent work
    • Acting for luxury footwear brand Naked Wolfe in a series of registered and unregistered design right claims before the Patents Court and IPEC.
    • Representing a major French retailer in UK design right infringement proceedings involving a range of furniture.
    • Advising a global insurance company on its worldwide rebrand, and coordinating the corresponding trade mark filings in multiple jurisdictions.
    • Advising fashion brands, including Mae Cassidy London and Merah Vodianova on trade mark and brand protection issues.
    • Managing ongoing brand protection programmes for numerous clients, including a multi-national pharmaceutical company, Premier League football team and an international watch company.
    • Advising fashion brand Rick Owens on parallel trade issues arising from Brexit.
  • Qualifications and recognition
    • University of Oxford Post-Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice.
    • Elaine was shortlisted for “Partner of the Year” at The Luxury Law Awards 2026
    • Elaine was shortlisted for the “Rising Stars – Private Practice” award at the British Legal Awards 2020.
    • She is recognised as a “Rising Star” in The Legal 500 and IP Stars as well as being individually ranked for trade mark prosecution and strategy by World Trademark Review.
  • Acting for luxury footwear brand Naked Wolfe in a series of registered and unregistered design right claims before the Patents Court and IPEC.
  • Representing a major French retailer in UK design right infringement proceedings involving a range of furniture.
  • Advising a global insurance company on its worldwide rebrand, and coordinating the corresponding trade mark filings in multiple jurisdictions.
  • Advising fashion brands, including Mae Cassidy London and Merah Vodianova on trade mark and brand protection issues.
  • Managing ongoing brand protection programmes for numerous clients, including a multi-national pharmaceutical company, Premier League football team and an international watch company.
  • Advising fashion brand Rick Owens on parallel trade issues arising from Brexit.
  • University of Oxford Post-Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice.
  • Elaine was shortlisted for “Partner of the Year” at The Luxury Law Awards 2026
  • Elaine was shortlisted for the “Rising Stars – Private Practice” award at the British Legal Awards 2020.
  • She is recognised as a “Rising Star” in The Legal 500 and IP Stars as well as being individually ranked for trade mark prosecution and strategy by World Trademark Review.
…her advice is always superb. She is clear, concise, practical and accurate.
WTR 1000 2023
…in my view, a particular star to watch.
THE LEGAL 500

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