International law firm Simmons & Simmons has strengthened its Asia intellectual property offering with the hire of leading trade mark lawyer Patsy Lau in Hong Kong, who joins as a partner in the firm's Dispute Resolution practice, effective 8 April 2026.
Bringing over twenty years' experience, Patsy is widely recognised for advising on the strategy, protection, structuring, and enforcement of intricate, trans-jurisdictional trade mark portfolios. Her practice spans the full lifecycle of brand management, from clearance, prosecution, and portfolio strategy to contentious proceedings, including opposition, invalidation, rectification, and appeals before the High Court, alongside transactional support in M&A and IPOs.
Patsy also brings her strength in managing cross-border brand issues, having regularly coordinated international portfolios across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East across sectors, including financial services, life sciences, media and technology, luxury, and FMCG, while advising clients on disputes and negotiations involving multiple jurisdictions.
She joins from Deacons and is dual‑qualified in Hong Kong and California. Patsy is a former President of the Hong Kong Institute of Trade Mark Practitioners, and has held long-standing leadership roles within the International Trademark Association, where she currently serves on its Brands and Sustainability Committee. She is consistently recognised by leading legal directories for her work in trade marks and brand strategy.
Commenting on the hire, Gary Yin, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution Practice in Asia, said: "Patsy is a leading trade mark practitioner in the Hong Kong market, with extensive experience in strategic advisory and brand protection. Her expertise in managing complex, multinational brand matters, particularly across Asia and in both inbound and outbound portfolio work, aligns closely with our clients' evolving needs. Her arrival strengthens our ability to support clients across the full spectrum of brand protection, from strategy to commercialisation."
Speaking on her appointment, Patsy Lau said: "Simmons & Simmons offers a compelling platform for intellectual property work, underpinned by its strong sector focus and international reach. As brands encounter increasingly complex cross-border challenges, there is a clear opportunity to deliver integrated, multi-jurisdictional advice. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the network to support clients in protecting and maximising the value of their brands, and to further strengthen the firm's IP offering in Asia."
