HLK is proud to be consistently recognised as one of the leading firms in our industry.

Each year, our commitment to our clients and the care we take in delivering exceptional IP services is recognised by prestigious industry bodies and publications. We receive numerous accolades for excellence in IP, and it’s especially rewarding for us whenever these involve recommendations by our clients or peers.

In some of these awards, our people are named as leading professionals in IP. These individuals feel honoured to be celebrated by peers and clients alike and we’re proud that their outstanding expertise, client service and contributions to the field have been recognised.

Our latest accolades – 2025

Explore our awards and accolades to see why we are considered to be trusted leaders in intellectual property.

HLK highly recommended in WIPR UK Trademark Rankings 2025

We are delighted that HLK has been highly recommended in the WIPR UK Trademark Rankings 2025 in both the Contentious and Non-Contentious categories!

HLK shortlisted in Managing IP EMEA Awards 2025

We are delighted that HLK has been shortlisted in the Managing IP EMEA Awards 2025 in two categories: UK Trademark Disputes Firm of the Year and Chris Morris has been shortlisted for UK Trademark Attorney of the Year.

Read the article.

HLK ranked Silver in WTR 1000 2025

We are thrilled that HLK has been listed as a Silver firm for UK enforcement and litigation, and also for UK prosecution and strategy, by the World Trademark Review in their recently published WTR 1000 2025 guide.

We have also ranked as a Bronze firm for the European Union Intellectual Property Office, and six of our people were named as ‘recommended individuals’ in the guide.

Read the article.

2024 Outstanding International IP Service Team

We are delighted that HLK has been named one of China IP’s Outstanding International IP Service Teams for 2024.

This accolade is awarded to IP firms from around the world that have deep expertise and extensive experience in managing complex IP matters for Chinese clients.

Read more.

HLK ranked by The Legal 500

It’s been another successful year for HLK in The Legal 500 rankings. We are delighted to have been featured in several Intellectual Property categories in the 2025 edition, and a number of our attorneys have also been individually recognised.

Read the article.

HLK ranked in Chambers UK Legal Guide 2025

We are delighted to be ranked by Chambers in their 2025 guide in two categories, with some of our specialists in IP law individually recognised and awarded their own ranking as well.

Read the article.

Accolades through the years

A summary of our awards and accolades over the last few years.

2024

The IAM Patent 1000 shines a spotlight on the firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in the pivotal area of patent law.

IAM | European Patent Office | Gold

IAM | Prosecution UK (England and Wales) | Silver

IAM | Litigation UK (England and Wales) | Silver

IAM | Prosecution and nullity (Germany) | Bronze

Read more.

The WTR 1000, published by World Trademark Review, identifies the leading firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding at obtaining, protecting, managing, enforcing and monetising trademarks.

WTR | UK prosecution and strategy | Silver

WTR | UK prosecution and litigation | Silver

WTR | European Union Intellectual Property office | Bronze

Read more about our trade marks practice.

IP STARS is one of the leading specialist guides that assesses and ranks experienced legal practitioners that deal with contentious and non-contentious intellectual property issues. Over a period of a few months and published by Managing IP, the guide releases different rankings of law firms and practitioners around the world in different IP practice areas.

IP STARS | Patent prosecution | Tier 1

IP STARS | Trade mark disputes | Tier 1

IP STARS | Trade mark prosecution | Tier 2

IP STARS | Patent disputes | Tier 3

Read more about our IP STARS rankings.

Featuring in the Financial Times Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2024 special report is a fantastic accolade as only the most highly recommended firms in Europe are included.

Financial Times | Leading patent law firm in Europe

Financial Times | IT and software | Silver

Financial Times | Chemistry and pharmacy | Silver

Financial Times | Electrical engineering and physics | Silver

Financial Times | Materials and nano technology | Silver

Financial Times | Mechanical engineering | Silver

Financial Times | Biotechnology, food and healthcare | Bronze

Read more about our recommendations.

The Managing IP EMEA Awards recognise awards the in-house teams, firms, individuals and corporations behind the most innovative and challenging intellectual property work of the past year.

Managing IP | UK Trademark Disputes Firm of the Year | Shortlisted

Managing IP | UK Trademark Prosecution Firm of the Year | Shortlisted

Managing IP | UK Trademark Attorney of the Year – Chris Morris | Shortlisted

Managing IP | UK Rising Star of the Year – Laura Robyn | Shortlisted

Read our press release.

The WIPR Insights feature traditional full-service law firms, boutique IP specialists and attorney firms at the forefront of our industry, navigating the impact of technological innovation on trademarks practice, the challenges of domestic and international protection, and the ever-demanding contest of representing clients in the courtroom.

WIPR | Contentious | Highly recommended

WIPR | Non-contentious | Highly recommended

The JUVE Patent rankings depicts the most important UK patent firms according to their reputation in the eight most important fields of technology in patent filing. 

JUVE | Digital communication and computer technology | Recommended

JUVE | Electronics | Recommended

Read more.

The Lawyers Awards 2024 honoured the very best of the legal industry over the past year from amongst firms, chambers and in-house teams, and are noted for ‘celebrating legal excellence’.

The Lawyer Awards | Finalist | Specialist firm of the Year

Read more.

2023

IAM Patent 1000

IAM | EPO | Gold

IAM | UK prosecution | Silver

IAM | UK litigation | Bronze

WTR 1000

WTR | UK prosecution and strategy | Silver

WTR | UK prosecution and litigation | Silver

IP STARS

IP STARS | Patent prosecution | Tier 2

IP STARS | Trade mark disputes | Tier 2

IP STARS | Trade mark prosecution | Tier 2

IP STARS | Patent disputes | Tier 3

IP STARS | Rising stars | Greg Sharp and Michael Ford

The Legal 500

Legal 500 | Yorkshire intellectual property | Tier 1

Legal 500 | London trade mark attorneys | Tier 2

Legal 500 | London patent attorneys | Tier 2

2022

IAM Patent 1000

IAM | EPO | Silver

IAM | UK prosecution | Silver

IAM | UK litigation | Bronze

WTR 1000

WTR | UK prosecution and litigation | Silver

WTR | UK prosecution and strategy | Bronze

IP STARS

IP STARS | Patent prosecution | Tier 2

IP STARS | Trade mark disputes | Tier 2

IP STARS | Trade mark prosecution | Tier 2

IP STARS | Patent disputes | Other notable firms

IP STARS | Rising stars | Greg Sharp and Michael Ford

Legal 500 

Legal 500 | Yorkshire intellectual property | Tier 1

Legal 500 | London trade mark attorneys | Tier 2

Legal 500 | London patent attorneys | Tier 2