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Luxury brands lawyers
Protecting and enhancing the value of your brand is one of the most critically important aspects of a successful company. Aspiring to convey quality, credibility and experience in an increasingly globalized and hyper competitive environment is what makes you unique and sets you apart from the rest.
Whether you are starting, growing or maturing, the importance you place on your brand will always be the same. This belief manifests itself in everything we do. Enhancing our own brand with offices internationally, recruiting and retaining expertise in our clients sectors, using our knowledge to help our clients achieve their goals.Looking after the most successful brands
We understand success. Advising some of the world’s best known global luxury and consumer brands in sectors including fashion, hotels & hospitality, sport and entertainment, and charity across Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific and the US gives us the insight and expertise to help take you to the next level.A brand transcends borders, and the very best brands ensure their recognition and ethos are translated globally. With organizations having to comply with varying regulations between countries and continents, our international network ensures we understand the differences and what you require when considering advertising, licensing and sponsorship.
Unique insight
Our expertise doesn’t just lie in the legal services we provide. Our experience of working with the most successful brands provides us with a unique insight into how different sectors operate, and what is required to achieve your goals. Providing specialist consultancy advice from those with experience in your sector. We act as a natural extension to your brand providing commercially focused advice complementary to our legal services.Vogue Business Founders' Forum
Innovation, sustainability, embracing technology and AI, focusing on intentional stable growth, and investing in customer oriented retail were all important themes at the Vogue Business Founders' Forum in Los Angeles.
We were thrilled to partner with Vogue Business for this exciting and insightful event, featuring a number of our founder clients and contacts.
Photographed by Carsten Schertzer for David Jon Photography.
How we can help
Our lawyers have wide industry knowledge and experience, allowing them to advise on how to best protect mission-critical intellectual property and data.
Commercial agreementsProperly structured agreements will protect and advance your interests. With knowledge across sectors such as luxury brands, sport and the arts, we draft contracts that work for the long term.
Brand protectionWith experience advising some of the world’s best-known brands, we can help you to devise brand guidelines, protect your brand identity and monitor your portfolio – enforcing your rights as needed.
TaxWith a team of more than 150 specialist tax lawyers, who are qualified in jurisdictions around the world, we are perfectly placed to handle even the most complex, cross-border tax issues.
Our team has acted in the full range of transactions, getting the deal done quickly, within regulations and with minimal fuss.
Fashion TechArtificial intelligence, 3D printing and virtual reality are transforming fashion. We help our clients stay at the forefront of innovation thanks to our in-depth fashion and tech experience.
Employment contractsOur lawyers will make sure your employment contract puts you in a strong position – whether in regard to benefits or post-termination restrictions.
Commercial real estateOur standout commercial property practice helps well-known businesses to grow around the world. We also work with clients from charities to developers to ensure that their deals go smoothly.
The publication of private or inaccurate information can seriously damage reputations. Should the worst happen, our media law team will quickly advise on how to mitigate any potential impact.
Technology and digital commerceDigital and technology-focused businesses come to Withers for decisive advice. We help you to keep pace with global regulatory frameworks, and have deep knowledge of transactions such as licensing.
Commercial litigationOur highly skilled commercial litigators assist with complex, multi-jurisdictional cases of all kinds, whether acting for an investor, business or brand.
SponsorshipSponsorship deals can be highly beneficial to both parties. Our global team has supported some of the world’s top campaigns and can assist with everything from contracts to negotiating deals.
Clients include
Track record
Italian luxury brand
Represented an Italian luxury brand on the review of an e-commerce solutions agreement relating to the development, launch and management of their Chinese online channels, including their brand site and WeChat platform, through Chinese solutions provider D1M.
Luxury British perfume house
Representing a luxury British perfume house and its subsidiaries in Asia in a wide range of corporate transactions and commercial matters, and the restructuring of its group of companies in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Singapore, and implementation strategy on tax policy in all subsidiaries companies in Asia.
Acquisition of a majority stake in the Hong Kong subsidiary of an independent British brand
We represented a brand consultancy group in the acquisition of a majority stake in the Hong Kong subsidiary of an independent British brand and customer experience design consultancy agency.
British perfume house's expansion in Asia-Pacific
We acted for a famous British perfume house in relation to its expansion in Asia-Pacific, including retail lease agreements in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan; commercial matters; and restructuring of the group companies.
French fashion house
We assisted the Italian subsidiary of a renowned French fashion house in relation to the management of their brand under new Patent Box regulations
LG Electronics Inc
Our Singapore team successfully acted for LG Electronics Inc. in a trade mark opposition filed by headphones manufacturer Beats Electronics, LLC against the registration of the mark 'QuadBeat' before the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, securing a favourable decision.
Soho House joint venture
We advised on the reorganisation of Soho House's casual dining business - brands, Pizza East, Chicken Shop, Dirty Burger - worth about £40 million - into a joint venture in order to facilitate financed roll out of outlets internationally at an ambitious rate.
Renault on the acquisition of Lotus F1
We advised Renault on its €1.5 billion investment in motorsport and technology. This was a multi-jurisdictional and multi-party project involving Mr Bernie Ecclestone, CVC, FIA, key sponsors of Lotus, incoming and outgoing drivers of Lotus F1 as well as outgoing minority shareholders.
Thor Equities and Invesco
Via della Spiga 26 is a beautiful building in the 'golden triangle' of Milan, housing Dolce & Gabbana's flagship store as well as the offices of Tiffany & Co. We helped Thor Equities and Invesco to acquire the site, negotiating with a family who had held the property for generations and were initially locked in dispute between themselves. Our clients and the vendors were grateful for our help in brokering what had seemed an impossible deal.
Italian fashion designer Max Mara
Max Mara is a renowned luxury Italian fashion house with stores around the globe, including across the United States. The group approached Withers for help with its employment needs, advising on the implementation of employee policies and risk management strategies. We were also pleased to suggest and develop store manager training sessions, and we successfully assisted in defending the company against wrongful termination claims.
Acquisition of a majority stake in the Hong Kong subsidiary of an independent British brand
We represented a brand consultancy group in the acquisition of a majority stake in the Hong Kong subsidiary of an independent British brand and customer experience design consultancy agency.
British perfume house's expansion in Asia-Pacific
We acted for a famous British perfume house in relation to its expansion in Asia-Pacific, including retail lease agreements in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan; commercial matters; and restructuring of the group companies.
LG Electronics Inc
Our Singapore team successfully acted for LG Electronics Inc. in a trade mark opposition filed by headphones manufacturer Beats Electronics, LLC against the registration of the mark 'QuadBeat' before the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, securing a favourable decision.
French fashion house
We assisted the Italian subsidiary of a renowned French fashion house in relation to the management of their brand under new Patent Box regulations
Soho House joint venture
We advised on the reorganisation of Soho House's casual dining business - brands, Pizza East, Chicken Shop, Dirty Burger - worth about £40 million - into a joint venture in order to facilitate financed roll out of outlets internationally at an ambitious rate.
Renault on the acquisition of Lotus F1
We advised Renault on its €1.5 billion investment in motorsport and technology. This was a multi-jurisdictional and multi-party project involving Mr Bernie Ecclestone, CVC, FIA, key sponsors of Lotus, incoming and outgoing drivers of Lotus F1 as well as outgoing minority shareholders.
Thor Equities and Invesco
Via della Spiga 26 is a beautiful building in the 'golden triangle' of Milan, housing Dolce & Gabbana's flagship store as well as the offices of Tiffany & Co. We helped Thor Equities and Invesco to acquire the site, negotiating with a family who had held the property for generations and were initially locked in dispute between themselves. Our clients and the vendors were grateful for our help in brokering what had seemed an impossible deal.
Italian fashion designer Max Mara
Max Mara is a renowned luxury Italian fashion house with stores around the globe, including across the United States. The group approached Withers for help with its employment needs, advising on the implementation of employee policies and risk management strategies. We were also pleased to suggest and develop store manager training sessions, and we successfully assisted in defending the company against wrongful termination claims.
Jürgen Klopp
Withers has a strong track record in representing high-profile and high-net-worth figures in the world of sport. When leading football manager Jürgen Klopp was approached by Liverpool Football Club to become its manager, we represented him in the negotiations for his move and the extension to his contract.
DieselReboot by Diesel
Withers is proud to have represented global Italian retailer Diesel during the launch of their reinventive new brand DieselReboot. During the launch, Withers worked alongside Diesel's newly appointed artistic director Nicola Formichetti and advised on the brand's new aims to 'rediscover and reactive the DNA of Diesel'.
Jigsaw
Jigsaw is a leading name in the UK's retail market, offering high-quality, elegant clothing. John Robinson, the founder, and Robinson Webster (Holdings) Ltd, contacted Withers when a former finance director claimed sexual discrimination, unfair constructive dismissal, pregnancy and maternity discrimination as well as less favorable treatment as a part-time worker. We successfully argued at an employment tribunal that she had been treated fairly and the claims were dismissed.
Max Mara - Jennifer Garner campaign
Italian fashion house Max Mara has a long history of designing luxury couture clothing and has a strong reputation as one of the world's top fashion brands. When their latest campaign involved offering American screen actress Jennifer Garner the opportunity to be the face of their new sunglasses range, Withers was there to assist and provide advice for the agreement.
Italian fashion designer Max Mara
Max Mara is a renowned luxury Italian fashion house with stores around the globe, including across the United States. The group approached Withers for help with its employment needs, advising on the implementation of employee policies and risk management strategies. We were also pleased to suggest and develop store manager training sessions, and we successfully assisted in defending the company against wrongful termination claims.
Max Mara - Jennifer Garner campaign
Italian fashion house Max Mara has a long history of designing luxury couture clothing and has a strong reputation as one of the world's top fashion brands. When their latest campaign involved offering American screen actress Jennifer Garner the opportunity to be the face of their new sunglasses range, Withers was there to assist and provide advice for the agreement.
Recognition
Our team
Graham Webster
Partner | London
Sharon Whitehouse
Partner | London
Gina Bibby
Partner | Los Angeles
Carlo Alberto Demichelis
Partner | Milan
Jacopo Liguori
Partner | Milan
Polly Chu
Partner | Hong Kong
Mabel Lui
Head of Greater China Commercial | Hong Kong
Insight
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Typical clients and industries include
Fashion
Having worked with some of the biggest names in fashion, our lawyers strive to match the ambition and creativity of our clients by helping them build their brand and grow their business. Find Out MoreFashion Tech
Artificial intelligence, 3D printing and virtual reality are transforming fashion. We help our clients stay at the forefront of innovation thanks to our in-depth fashion and tech experience. Find Out MoreGet in touch
Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.