Our People Kate O'Rourke

Kate is the Head of Trade Marks and a member of our Management Board. She handles all aspects of trade mark work including searching, filing, prosecution, opposition, invalidity and cancellation proceedings and advice on enforcement of trade marks. Kate also provides strategic advice on selection, adoption, protection and enforcement of brands internationally.

She is a Past President of the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, where she continues to be an active Executive Committee member. She also leads the CITMA taskforce on the impact of Brexit on trade marks and the UK trade mark profession. Kate is also a member of the Leadership Committee of INTA and helped establish the UK IP pro bono service.

Areas of Expertise

• Trade mark searching
• International filing and enforcement strategies
• Opposition and cancellation proceedings
• Brexit
• Pro bono

Clients

Kate works with a range of clients, particularly those in the restaurant and music industries.

Background

Kate has degrees in Arts and Law from the University of N.S.W, Australia. She started her career in a specialist IP firm in Sydney before relocating to the UK and becoming cross qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales and as a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney. Kate joined Mewburn Ellis in 2019 as a partner.

She is a Member of the Law Society of England and Wales and is admitted on the Roll of Solicitors in Ireland. Kate has been awarded an MBE for services to education and has previously been the President of CITMA. She is often asked to speak at conferences, most recently the FICPI meeting 2019, the INTA 2019 Leadership meeting, the CITMA 2019 Annual Conference and the 2018 INTA TMAP conference.

Recommendations

Kate is recognised in Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars 2018-2023 as a “Trade mark star” and recognised in IP Stars 2023 Top 250 women in IP. She was also featured in WIPR’s Influential Women in IP 2019 as being in the top 80 most prominent lawyers in the industry. Kate has been listed as a "Recommended Lawyer" in the 2022 edition of The Legal 500, and as a "Key Lawyer" in the 2023 edition of The Legal 500. She is also listed as a "Notable Practitioner" and ranked Band 1 in Chambers & Partners 2023.

Kate is also ranked in WTR Global Leaders: Private Practice and WTR 1000 2022 and 2023 for United Kingdom: England and as a leading IP lawyer in WIPR Leaders UK 2022.

"Heading up the trademark team is Kate O’Rourke, who is an expert in providing global strategic advice for patrons in the retail and leisure sectors. O’Rourke is a well-renowned figure in the industry, playing a pivotal role in many key IP associations and leading the discussions on several emerging topics." - WTR (World Trademark Review) 1000, 2023

"Kate O'Rourke is absolutely brilliant. She is very clever and personable." - Chambers & Partners 2023

"Kate combines a personable approach with being very switched on. She is hardworking, pragmatic and prominent within the profession; plus, she gives a lot back to the trademark community." - WTR (World Trademark Review) 1000, 2022

“Kate is simply the best that money can buy. Her extensive global trademark knowledge is second to none; as are her pragmatic and commercial solutions. Thorough, strategic and smart, she always comes through with results and reliable advice that you cannot ignore.” - WTR (World Trademark Review) 1000, 2021

Focus on Inclusivity

Kate has personally signed up to the IP Inclusive Senior Leader’s Pledge and feels passionately about ensuring the firm is committed to equality of opportunity for all and an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered, and where diversity of background, experience, approach and perspective are welcomed and encouraged. Kate has been an engaged supporter of IP Inclusive since its inception and regularly participates in its activities and events, particularly relating to leadership of women in the IP profession.