Thomson Reuters names eight Keystone Law partners in its Stand-out Lawyers Guide 2026
Andrea James, Andrew Darwin & Anna McKibbin
Will is both a solicitor and UK & European chartered trade mark and design attorney. His practice covers the protection, monitoring and exploitation of IP in the UK, Europe and globally.
Will has advised a broad range of clients from SMEs to household names on commercial, corporate and litigation matters covering trade mark law, patent law, design law, copyright law, and the use and protection of confidential information and know-how.
Will has a particular interest in trade marks and designs. This includes the management of IP portfolios, availability searching, oppositions, cancellations, invalidity and revocation actions, and infringement matters in the UK, Europe and around the world.
Will has dealt with numerous matters in the UK’s Trade Mark Registry, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) and the High Court as well as through the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), including its appeal bodies/courts. In addition, he has handled a broad range of litigious matters spanning the whole IP rights spectrum, as well as managing several cross-border litigious matters throughout Europe, North America, South America and Australasia.
Expertise
Will represents financial institutions in protecting and exploiting trade marks, designs, and copyrights, managing IP portfolios, and resolving disputes involving branding, confidential information, and database rights.
Experience
- Advising the UK’s first digital bank on all intellectual property matters including patent and trade mark advice, trade mark filing and management strategy, and management of its intellectual property portfolio.
- Advising a major insurer on the trade mark filing, management and protection strategy for its pension’s business.
- Advising a major UK plc involved in international investment, savings, insurance, and banking group on the trade mark filing, management and protection strategy for key brands.
Will protects and enforces IP rights in transport and infrastructure projects, advising on trade marks, designs, patents, and licensing to safeguard innovation and branding in global developments.
Experience
- Advising a train operator on the trade mark filing, management and protection strategy.
- Advising a European rail operator on trade mark matters.
- Advising a prominent security, surveillance and engineering solutions company within the transport sector on various intellectual property matters including patent and trade mark advice, trade mark filing and management strategy, and copyright advice.
Will advises high-profile brands, event operators, government bodies, and media businesses on global trade mark strategy, IP portfolio management, and enforcement, protecting valuable assets across hospitality, sport, education, and consultancy sectors.
Experience
- Advising the owner of one of the most exclusive hotels in the world on trade mark litigation in various jurisdictions.
- Advising the most prominent operator of mass participation sporting events in the UK on its trade mark filing, management and protection strategy for its running and swimming events.
- Advising a government department on it global trade mark filing strategy.
- Advising one of the biggest consumer media businesses in the UK on all intellectual property matters including copyright infringement, design infringement, patent protection and the filing and management of its global trade mark portfolio.
- Provided a variety of strategic IP advice to NCFE including the filing of trade mark protection, the subsistence and licensing of copyright material and the creation and ownership of IP in material produced for courses and examinations.
- Advised an Isle of Man-based international consultancy and advisory business on its rebranding and new terms and conditions.
Will advises energy sector clients on IP portfolio management, licensing, and enforcement, protecting patents, confidential information, and brand assets in innovation-driven renewable and traditional energy projects.
Experience
- Acting for a prominent plc in the energy sector on patent infringement, copyright subsistence, and the filing and management of its trade mark portfolio. This included advice on a complete rebrand, including clearance advice and advice through to obtaining trade mark protection.
- Advising a plc utility company on the protection and management of trade marks and associated domain names.
Will advises education providers on IP protection, licensing, and dispute resolution, covering trade marks, designs, copyright, and database rights for course materials, branding, and digital platforms.
Experience
- Advised a prominent public school on the international franchising of its name and other IP rights to create schools in India and other locations.
- Provided general strategic advice to a college on IP protection, and filing strategy in relation to obtaining registered IP protection
- Provided a variety of strategic IP advice to NCFE including the filing of trade mark protection, the subsistence and licensing of copyright material and the creation and ownership of IP in material produced for courses and examinations
- Provided advice to a grammar school in Newcastle on the protection of its key trademarks and filing and obtaining® protection in the UK for its trade marks.
- Advised a prominent public school on the international franchising of its name and other IP rights to create schools in India and other locations.
Will supports retail brands in trade mark and design protection, licensing, and litigation, safeguarding product designs, branding, and confidential information across UK, European, and online marketplaces.
Experience
- Advising a UK-based global fashion brand and retail store chain on High Court litigation.
- Advising a US-based global fashion brand and retail store chain on trade mark and design matters, including both commercial and litigation matters.
- Advising a high-end fashion retailer on all IP matters, including trade mark filing and monitoring, as well as commercial and litigation matters covering trade marks, copyright and designs.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by Chambers UK for Intellectual Property: North East 2021 – 2026
Acknowledged by Chambers 2025 for his practice as both a solicitor and a chartered trade mark and design attorney. He is well versed in licensing and all kinds of IP disputes, including trade mark, designs and copyright infringement litigation.
Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Leading Partner for Intellectual Property: North 2024 – 2026
Recognised by WTR1000 – Bronze – Individuals: enforcement and litigation 2023 – 2025
Recommended by WIPR leaders for expertise in IP, including patent, trademark, and copyright issues 2024
Recognised by The Legal 500 for Media and Entertainment 2020
Recognised by The Legal 500 2018 for Brand Management
“I work with Will Sander. He is refreshingly direct and honest about any situation we have presented him with, weighing up the risk vs reward ratio for us in a no-nonsense way.”
The Legal 500 2026
“Will Sander is an incredibly competent counsel who helped us navigate a complex trade mark infringement dispute and settled the matter swiftly with the desired outcome. His calmness, professionalism, transparency, and competence made me feel extremely confident with every decision we made.”
The Legal 500 2026
“Will Sander stands out. Excellent technical knowledge that is combined with solid practical guidance.”
The Legal 500 2026
“His technical brialliance really shines, but he communicates that to the lay person. He is very credible, knowledgeable and knows how to put together the right strategy.”
Chambers UK 2026
“Will provided expert advice, underpinned by a sound commercial view and understanding of our business.”
Chambers UK 2026
“Will consistently provides reliable and timely support, with clear communication that makes it easy to work effectively with him to achieve our goals.”
Chambers UK 2026
“Will “combines a very strong technical understanding of the issues at hand with a sound appreciation of our business and the commercial environment in which we operate.”
Chambers UK 2017
“Will is recognised for giving 'pragmatic' and 'commercial advice' and has been noted as being 'highly regarded' particularly in relation to trade mark matters.”
Chambers UK 2014
“Will is a consummate professional and a pleasure to deal with.”
Chambers UK 2025
“Will is an experienced practitioner.”
Chambers UK 2025
“Will Sander is a technically excellent trade marks adviser who is keen to understand our business. Will has successfully assisted us with trade mark oppositions and strategic trade mark applications. Will is prompt in his communications and always keen to better understand our needs and priorities.”
Chambers UK 2024
“Dual-qualified solicitor and trademark attorney Sander is well versed in handling disputes both in the United Kingdom and abroad.”
WTR1000 2023
“Will Sander consistently provides excellent service with an honest opinion and in a timely manner.”
Chambers UK 2023
“Will is great - he always provides very succinct, commercial advice and is available when needed.”
Chambers UK 2021
“He gave us concise and intelligent advice.”
Chambers UK 2018
“Combines a very strong technical understanding of the issues at hand with a sound appreciation of our business and the commercial environment in which we operate.”
Chambers UK 2017
Will qualified as a solicitor in 2005. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2017, he worked at Bond Dickinson.
