Carl Steele

Partner
T: +44 (0)1392 333997
F: +44 (0)1392 336997
c.steele@ashfords.co.uk

Carl is a Partner in Ashfords' Intellectual Property and Information Technology Team. He specialises in advising clients on all aspects of Intellectual Property law, and deals with both contentious and non-contentious matters. His qualifications and experience enable him to advise on a wide variety of Intellectual Property issues. He has particular expertise in trade mark law and is Head of Trade Marks at Ashfords.

Carl also advises clients on the law of privacy and confidential information, data protection issues, e-commerce, website and IT law and advertising, merchandising and sponsorship issues. His knowledge of sports law also provides additional resource to the growing Sports Law Team at Ashfords, headed by Rory MacNeice.

As part of Carl's practice he also drafts and advises on a wide range of commercial contracts (e.g. supply and manufacturing contracts, franchise, sales and distribution contracts). He also conducts some general commercial litigation (e.g. breach of contract claims; breach of directors duties; restitutionary claims).

Clients include pharmaceutical and medical companies; manufacturers; sports organisations, individuals and clubs; sponsorship and event management agencies; publishers (music, art and literature), IT and software developers; and fashion, footwear and clothing manufacturers and retailers.

Between 1995 and 2004, Carl worked for city law firm Taylor Wessing as an Intellectual Property specialist. In 2000, he was seconded for 12 months to work for Blake Dawson, a major Australian law firm, where he was involved in legal work relating to the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Carl joined Ashfords in January 2005 as an Associate Solicitor and was made a Partner in May 2007.

Carl is an Associate Member of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys. He has appeared on television (BBC World, CNN) and radio (Radio 4 and 5) to discuss topical Intellectual Property issues and has been quoted in the regional and national press and media. Carl also presents a series of training seminars across the country on the subject of Intellectual Property litigation for Central Law Training and is a lecturer at the University of Exeter on trade mark law to undergraduates as part of their law degree.

Recent projects he has recently been involved in include:

• advising clients on all aspects of trade mark law and protection, including filing, prosecution and disputes;
• advising clients on designs and copyright law, including disputes;
• advising clients on the law of confidential information, privacy and data protection;
• advising clients on IT disputes;
• advising clients on breach of contract disputes; and
  
• drafting general commercial contracts for clients.

Carl Steele is 'recommended' in respect of conducting IP litigation and forms part of Ashfords' 'incredibly professional' IP and IT team.
Legal 500, 2009 Edition