Steven James

Steven practices in intellectual property, technology and commercial law, with a focus on emerging technologies and innovation. His experience includes advising clients on both contentious and transactional intellectual property and commercial matters, predominantly in the technology, financial services, life sciences, retail and luxury goods, food & beverage, and media sectors. He advises on the full spectrum of IP rights, including trademarks, passing off, copyright, designs, patents and confidential information. Steven counsels clients on the development of IP and branding strategies and formulates strategic approaches for the licensing and enforcement of intellectual property rights. He also has experience of advising on commercial disputes, defamation and data protection matters.

Steven has received consistent recognition for his excellence in practice, having been recommended for Intellectual Property law and Technology, Media & Telecommunications Law multiple times over many years in the Legal 500 UK. He is described by clients as “an efficient, effective and an excellent, timely communicator … always on hand to provide confident and practical advice. His deep and technical knowledge of IP is unparalleled”. Steven has also been recognized in the 2025 edition of World Trademark Review’s 1000 guide, named a Trade Mark Star by Managing Intellectual Property and as a recommended individual by IAM Patent 1000.

The Lawyer named Steven in its prestigious “Hot 100” list for 2025, recognizing his commitment to utilizing technology and emerging company expertise to drive innovation and foster connections across the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The publication praised his “can-do approach to making deals and connections in the sector happen.”

He has been awarded a Distinction in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Oxford. Steven has conducted matters before the U.K. Intellectual Property Office, the EU Intellectual Property Office, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, the High Court and Court of Appeal, and the Court of Justice of the European Union. Steven is a Solicitor-Advocate with rights of audience in all civil proceedings in the higher courts of England and Wales.

• Acting for an electrical wholesaler in relation to a passing off claim against a nationwide chain.
• Acting for a software development company on a High Court Technology & Construction Court dispute with a global retail bank.
• Acting for the acquirers of the iconic Crombie coat brand, and advising on its global IP portfolio.
• Acting for an electrical wholesaler on a passing off action against a listed building merchants’ business.
• Acting for an online fashion retail platform in respect of parallel trademark infringement proceedings in the U.K. and United States.
• Interflora Inc v Marks & Spencer plc (Case C-323/09): Acting for Interflora on a high profile trademark infringement case relating to the use of keywords on Google’s AdWords program, which was referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
• Orion Publishing Group Ltd v Novel Entertainment Ltd [2012] EWHC 1951 (Ch): Acting for a major commercial publisher in relation to a dispute over a royalty verification clause in a publishing agreement.

• Ranked in the United Kingdom for Litigation, IAM Patent 1000.
• Recommended in the United Kingdom for Transactions, IAM Patent 1000.
• Named a “Trade Mark Star,” IP Stars UK.
• Recommended in the United Kingdom for Trademark, World Trademark Review 1000.