Legal Team

Legal & Compliance Coordinator (Intellectual Property)

Sophie supports the Legal & Compliance function across the group, with a primary focus on trade mark protection, brand enforcement, and intellectual property portfolio management.

Her work centres on assisting with trade mark applications, renewals, and portfolio administration, helping to ensure brand assets are properly protected across the UK and international markets. Sophie works closely with internal stakeholders and external advisers to support brand strategy, filing decisions, and ongoing rights management.

In addition to trade mark portfolio work, Sophie has experience supporting matters involving intellectual property infringement, including the preparation of evidence and documentation relating to trade mark oppositions, copyright misuse, and brand impersonation. She regularly assists with correspondence and case coordination involving the UK Intellectual Property Office and external legal advisers.

Sophie also supports the management of online and digital infringement issues, including copycat websites, unauthorised use of branding, and misuse of intellectual property across social media and e-commerce platforms.

Her role bridges operational, commercial, and intellectual property considerations, enabling a practical and proportionate approach to brand protection and compliance across the business.

In-House Counsel, Northwest Registered Agent, LLC

Daren Harris is a U.S.-qualified attorney with extensive experience advising businesses on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and commercial risk management. As Managing Attorney at Law on Call, LLC, Daren provides practical, business-focused legal guidance to companies operating across multiple jurisdictions, with a particular emphasis on entity formation, ongoing compliance, and operational legal support.

In his role as In-House Counsel at Northwest Registered Agent, LLC, Daren advises on matters relating to U.S. corporate structuring, statutory compliance, and governance best practices, supporting thousands of domestic and international businesses establishing and maintaining a presence in the United States. His work involves close collaboration with founders, directors, and executive teams to ensure businesses remain compliant while scaling efficiently.

Daren is known for his commercially pragmatic approach, translating complex legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance for business owners. His experience spans working with international founders, UK-based companies expanding into the U.S., and high-growth brands navigating multi-state operations.

Harper James Solicitiors, Associate Solicitor - Intellectual Property

Gemma advises primarily on trade mark protection and trade mark portfolio management, and she is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys. She is currently training to become a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney.

Gemma has particular experience in trade mark applications and portfolio management and is able to draw on both her corporate and intellectual property backgrounds to provide tailored advice on trade mark filings and brand strategy, including portfolio management. 

In addition to her strengths on the corporate IP side, Gemma has been involved in numerous cases involving intellectual property infringement, including litigating cases in the IPEC and the High Court.  She is experienced in undertaking trade mark opposition proceedings and has acted in a number of decided cases before the UK IPO. She also has experience in managing copyright infringement claims, particularly those involving software/online infringement and copycat websites.