Hogan Lovells Beijing partner Helen Xia named among Financial Times Innovative Practitioners for second year in succession
Hong Kong, Beijing, 12 August, 2020 – Hogan Lovells partner Helen Xia, a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property, Media and Technology Practice, has been named among the Financial Times Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers for 2020, the second year in succession that she has received this rare distinction.
This year, Xia was nominated for her innovative thinking and creative strategies in representing chocolatier Wawi Xiamen in a precedent-setting trademark infringement case. The case established important precedents on two frequently debated issues: the protection of non-traditional marks (in this case a 3D mark), and Original Equipment Manufacturer defence from trademark infringement perspective.
Speaking on the award, Xia said: “I am very grateful to receive the recognition from Financial Times and thanks to our clients for their trust. I would also like to thank our great litigation team and colleagues. IP law is all about protecting and inspiring innovation, developing brand strategies, and finally turning intangible assets into the core parts of a business. I truly enjoy and feel fortunate to be an intellectual property lawyer, but also believe there is still a long way ahead. As part of our truly global network, I will continue to work with my excellent colleagues to assist foreign clients to better understand and navigate the Chinese market, and Chinese clients to successfully enter and explore the overseas markets."
In 2019, Xia was nominated for her leadership in representing German auto parts maker ZF TRW in a Chinese IP dispute. In that matter, she successfully appealed a decision against her client by persuading China’s highest IP court to accept her argument. In a change from the usual format, no overall winner was announced this year.
Xia’s practice focuses on trademarks, copyrights, patents, unfair competition and intellectual property licensing issues. She has extensive experience in IP litigation and portfolio management, and has advised clients on administrative, civil, and criminal litigations. Helen regularly represents clients in managing their domestic and global IP portfolio, developing brand protection strategies, and enforcing their intellectual property rights. The clients she represents are from a wide range of industries, including consumer, manufacturer, fashion, F&B, multimedia, telecommunications, computers and entertainment.