OUR TEAM:

 

Mary Afandi

Mary Afandi is senior partner at ETE Law Group, resident in the firm’s London office.

Mary’s professional interest focuses on protection of unregistered trademarks under EU law, the relevant aspects of passing off common law tort and advice regarding issues of trademark law related to unregistered trademarks and tradenames, in which she is currently pursuing a doctoral degree.

She has a significant experience representing corporate clients in cross-border commercial transactions, particularly in healthcare, life sciences and food sectors. She is frequently sought after for her experience in handling trademark portfolios of major private and public sector clients in the most difficult jurisdictions worldwide in terms of peculiarities of local legal regime and inconsistency of local practices. Building on her extensive knowledge of the global landscape, she is able to maximise local particularities for the benefit of our clients to offer holistic strategic advice and to ensure smooth and uninterrupted implementation across multiple jurisdictions.

Mary’s legal practice encompasses UK and worldwide intellectual property counseling, including trademark prosecution, oppositions, trademarks, trade secrets, IP due diligence, agreements and related transactions.

Mary always seeks first to appreciate a client’s current and long-term business vision and to align IP strategy accordingly. Client’s business strategy can change over the time, and it is crucial to regularly reassess and adjust IP strategy accordingly. “At ETE Group, we strive to ensure that each client’s needs are met in the most efficient way possible. Mary’s extensive professional background as a commercial litigator allows her to understand not only the needs and complexities of clients’ businesses, but also their competitors, to develop a strategy at the highest level. Clients highly value this aspect of Mary’s work and appreciate unique tailored approach that they receive at ETE group.

Kamilla Wells

Tamilla is a managing partner at ETE Group’s Trademark and Copyright Department, resident in the firm’s London office. She is focusing on trademark litigation, trademark prosecution, and brand management. Tamilla has a wealth of expertise in advising brand owners in developing, protecting and exploiting their brands.

She has extensive experience advising on all types of arrangement for the exploitation of IP, including licensing, taking security over IP and is recognised as top notch transactional lawyer. She also advises clients on rebranding strategies, infringement proceedings, enforcement, as well as IP aspects of M&A and private equity transactions. Tamilla provides advise on the full range of transactions including IP due diligence, trademark portfolio transactions and IP-related commercial agreements.

Tamilla is also a passionate intellectual property litigator, specialising in trademark law. She enjoys to delve into legal and technical details of each client’s case, while always keeping in mind a client’s bigger picture commercial goals, which results in getting outcomes that align with client’s long term business strategy.    

Tamilla currently leads the group’s AI desk aiming to embed AI into ETE Group’s daily legal work. ETE Group’s AI desk undertakes currently major changes across the firm’s different departments to ensure further support AI driven legal services. While appreciating benefits that AI may bring to the work of law firm, ETE’s AI desk strives to ensure that AI tools operate under strict supervision to ensure the quality of legal advice provided to clients.

James Taylor

Associate

James’s practice includes trademark clearance searches, the filing and prosecution of applications, oppositions and cancellation actions, and advising on licences and assignments. He manages complex global patent portfolios directed to commercial products. James has substantial experience of filing and managing worldwide applications via the Madrid Protocol.  James specializing in trademark protection across all EU member states, including direct filing with EUIPO.

Ian Wellburn

Associate

Ian’ practice includes preparing and filing PBR applications:, prosecuting PBR applications, advising on infringement and licensing, international protection. Ian can advise on and file national listing applications, if required, for marketing of your new variety in the UK.

Ian also advises on all aspects of patents and utility models including; filing strategies, drafting of property-right applications, handling opposition and nullity proceedings, searches for workaround solutions and freedom-to-operate analysis.  He has litigated cases involving a diverse array of products and technologies, including jet turbine engines, surgical instruments, and alarm systems.

Daniel Smith

Associate

Daniel’ practice focuses on intellectual property disputes, with an emphasis on trade secret and patent-related matters. He has considerable experience in opposition and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office with a high success rate.

Daniel has been a core member of trial and litigation teams that have successfully represented major pharmaceutical and tech companies in high-stakes cases

Jessica Bennett

Trademark Administrator

Jessica is involved in all aspects of trade mark protection and portfolio management including trade mark selection, prosecution and enforcement. She monitoring deadlines for trademark applications, renewals, and oppositions, and managing filings with IP offices.

Jessica works across a variety of sectors, and has particular experience within automotive, IT, insurance, food & drink and publishing.

Jonathan Stones

Trademark Administrator

Jonathan responsible for managing the trademark docket (specialized software) to track strict legal deadlines, including filing renewals, statements of use, and responding to office actions. He managing trademark portfolios, assisting with the filing and prosecution of trademark applications, maintaining records, and ensuring compliance with intellectual property (IP) laws. 

Jonathan also conducting preliminary trademark searches to determine the availability of marks.

Robert Watts

Trademark Administrator

Robert supports intellectual property attorneys by managing trademark portfolios, preparing registration documents, filing applications, and handling docketing. Monitoring renewal deadlines for national, European (EUIPO), and international (Madrid System) trademarks.