Harper James boosts IP team with new hire

Published September 26, 2024

Harper James, the full-service business law firm purpose-built to enable entrepreneurial businesses to thrive, has hired Cardiff-based intellectual property expert Gosia Evans, a Senior Contentious Intellectual Property Solicitor.

Evans brings over 14 years experience in advising clients on all aspects of intellectual property law and commercial dispute resolution. She has expertise in developing intellectual property rights protection strategies and dispute resolution with respect of the full spectrum of rights, including trademarks, copyrights, design rights, patents, database rights, trade secrets, and domain names.

Prior to joining Harper James, Evans led established national firm Geldards LLP’s contentious intellectual property department, advising a range of private and public sector clients and charities.

Evans’s appointment continues a period of significant growth for the firm’s intellectual property team, following the arrival of Head of Trade Marks, Ben Evans; Head of Intellectual Property, Jill Bainbridge; Trade Mark Solicitor, Corinne Day; Intellectual Property Solicitor, Nichola O’Driscoll and Contentious Intellectual Property Solicitor, Elizabeth Hickman, meaning the team has more than doubled in size within the last 12 months. Evans’ addition to the team also aligns with the firm’s ambitious growth targets to double its revenue within the next three years.

With the opening of a Cardiff office and Evans’ appointment, Harper James has also further enhanced its presence in South Wales. The firm operates on a fully remote basis to provide expert legal advice at an accessible cost to growing businesses, but clients who value local advisers can also benefit from an increasing number of Wales-based lawyers across a range of practice areas, including commercial law, property litigation, employee share schemes, and more.

Commenting on her appointment to the firm’s intellectual property team, Evans notes: “I am excited to join Harper James – a modern, dynamic firm, during the period of its significant growth. It has been clear to me from very early on that clients are at the heart of what we do and that the firm provides all clients, regardless of the stage of their business life cycle, with excellent quality advice from experienced lawyers. This aligns with my values and vision for growth.

“Early strategic advice in respect of Intellectual Property Rights to growing businesses, but also to medium and large companies and established entrepreneurs is vital. There are many fantastic businesses in Wales who will be able to truly benefit from it thanks to our full-service IP offering and very reasonable and flexible pricing structures that reflect local market needs.”

On Evans’ appointment, Partner and Head of Intellectual Property, Jill Bainbridge, says: “We are delighted that Gosia has chosen to join our growing intellectual property team. She is a highly experienced IP specialist, and with her expertise, she is well-placed to support the firm’s plans to expand our service offering and our footprint in South Wales. Gosia is very commercially minded, and her pragmatic approach is valued by clients.”