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Gemma Kirkland

Partner, Trade Mark Attorney Southampton
Profile of Gemma Kirkland

Helping clients develop their brands is incredibly rewarding. As a trade mark and design attorney with experience of acting both before the EUIPO and the UKIPO, it’s really satisfying to see a new brand arrive on the market, knowing I played a part in getting it there.

Before joining the firm in 2007, I gained invaluable professional experience working in-house for BP plc’s Group Trade Marks Department. I act for a variety of clients, from start-ups and sole traders, through to multi-national corporations. My clients’ portfolios are highly varied and as such, my practice spans diverse sectors ranging from beauty and personal care products, household products, luxury consumer products, fashion, and consumer electronics, through to financial services, music and entertainment services, automobile services as well as travel and tourism services.

I became a partner at D Young & Co in 2016 and have a particular focus on trade marks, handling the full spectrum of IP matters concerning such rights, including clearance, prosecution, oppositions, invalidity and revocation actions, enforcement issues, and company and domain names. I enjoy the challenge of coming up with new, creative solutions, whatever I’m working on.

Awards

  • Legal 500 UK Leading Partner 2025.
  • WIPR Leader 2024.
  • Featured in the Leaders League UK Best Law Firms & IP Agencies for Trade Mark Prosecution - 2024.
  • IPSTAR 2024.
  • Ranked as a "silver" expert for trade mark prosecution and strategy in the World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000) 2023.

Qualifications

  • BA (Hons) Legal Studies, University of Greenwich, London.
  • Chartered Trade Mark Attorney 2009.
  • Trade Mark Attorney Litigator 2013.

Memberships

  • Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA).
  • International Trade Mark Association (INTA).
Gemma Kirkland is praised by clients for her expert support and guidance in relation to brand protection work.
Legal 500
Gemma provides high-quality, commercially minded advice in a clear and unambiguous manner.
World Trademark Review 1000
The "excellent" Gemma Kirkland is skilled in advising on trade mark filing strategies and cancellation actions.
Legal 500
Recommended by Legal 500 2020
Legal 500
Delivering an exceptional prosecution, Richard Burton, Gemma Kirkland and Jackie Johnson earn rave reviews from the market.
World Trademark Review 1000
Trade Mark Expert 2018.
Expert Guides
Gemma is responsive, a great communicator and an expert in trademark law. She is an excellent team player and provides quick and insightful strategic advice.
World Trademark Review 1000
Kirkland brings hand-on experience from her time in-house at BP and receives [...] illustrious reviews: "I have enormous confidence and trust in Gemma’s professionalism and ability to faithfully protect our brands and trademarks throughout the world. She is a huge asset to her firm and her clients.
World Trademark Review 1000
Gemma is creative in advantageously negotiating resolutions and gives an outstanding and reasonably priced service.
World Trademark Review 1000
Highly skilled in all areas of trademark practice, Gemma Kirkland is one of the best when it comes to oppositions.
World Trademark Review
Gemma Kirkland is noted for her strengths in global portfolio management and matters in the UKIPO.
Legal 500
She sees things through her clients’ eyes having gained in-house experience at BP.
World Trademark Review
Perhaps as a result of her in-house experience, she has “a great sense of her clients’ risk tolerance” and a knack for “coming up with creative, practical solutions that achieve clients’ goals without a huge bill coming at the end”.
World Trademark Review 1000
Gemma is incredibly supportive and just extremely helpful all round. Her advice is well-considered and balanced, reflecting her deep expertise and experience.
World Trademark Review
Gemma is particularly helpful when moving matters forward and provides quick feedback on strategy.
World Trademark Review 1000
Gemma Kirkland’s experience encompasses global portfolio management, alongside contentious opposition and cancellation actions before the UKIPO.
Legal 500
Highly recommended 2018.
Legal 500
For trade mark protection, clients have experienced trade mark attorneys such as Gemma Kirkland and Richard Burton.
IP Stars (Managing IP)
Time spent in-house at BP has given her practice a granular, commercial edge.
World Trademark Review 1000
Gemma Kirkland provides 'practical', 'impartial' and 'sensible' advice.
Legal 500
Gemma Kirkland is an excellent, proactive, pragmatic and highly responsive practitioner.
Legal 500
Gemma Kirkland and Tamsin Holman have great attention to detail and give pragmatic advice. They understand the client's business and the pressures that in-house counsel face.
Legal 500
Gemma is a very experienced trade mark practitioner who demonstrates clear and pragmatic thinking, a high degree of organisation, and excellent communication skills.
World Trademark Review 1000
Trademark attorney Gemma Kirkland is “proactive, responsive, concise and practical, and understands UK law extremely well”.
World Trademark Review 1000