Watson & Band was established in 1995 and is headquartered in Shanghai. It maintains domestic and international branch offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Harbin, Lanzhou, Yantai, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Chizhou, Zhengzhou, Chengdu, Nanning, Kunming, Tokyo and San Francisco (for more details on these offices, please refer to our official website). Over the last three decades Watson & Band, adhering to its philosophy of "Integrity, Strategy, Professionalism and Dedication", has developed into an integrated legal and IP services provider that is represented primarily by Watson & Band Law Offices and Watson & Band Intellectual Property Agent Ltd.
- Profile
- History
- Services
- Pro Bono
- Honors and Awards
Watson & Band's current scope of practice includes various areas such as intellectual property; corporate and commercial law;data law and IP services；capital market; financial and asset management; restructuring and insolvency; culture, entertainment and sports; construction, real estate and infrastructure; labor and employment; family law and wealth management; trade, customs and tax; litigation and dispute resolution; and investigation, etc.
Throughout the years, Watson & Band has been well-recognized and highly recommended by clients from various industries for its outstanding performance in traditional practice areas such as strategic business planning, corporate operations, management and compliance, IP agency and commercialization, litigation and dispute resolution and emerging practice areas such as Internet +. As one of the first legal service agencies certified by the ISO9001 standard, Watson & Band strictly applies its service and quality management procedures and prudently adheres to the standards that are demanded of a top-tier international legal services firm.
For many years running, Watson & Band has been named a top-tier legal and IP services agency in China by various authoritative international legal rating services including Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500 and Asian Legal Business. Watson & Band also received great honors including the National Excellent Law Firm and China's Most Trustworthy IP Law Firm, as well as qualifications including Class A Qualification as a Shanghai Foreign Business Consultation Institution, Shanghai Contract Credit AAA Rated Enterprise and Top-Tier Bankruptcy Administrator in the Register of Shanghai Higher People's Court.
For over a decade our team members have collaborated to stay on top of IP and corporate issues, helping clients improve operations, reduce costs, limit risks, enforce rights and achieve common business goals. For these reasons, the firm and its professionals are consistently recognized in client and peer-reviewed industry awards and rankings as being among the best.
Early 2020
·Watson & Band Chengdu Office established
Middle of 2019
·Watson & Band Zhengzhou and Chizhou Offices established
End of 2018
·Watson & Band Suzhou Office established
Middle of 2018
·Watson & Band Yantai and Guangzhou Offices established
August 2017
·Watson & Band Gansu Office established
August 2016
·Watson & Band relocated to The Center
April 2016
·Watson & Band Management Group established
January 2015
·Watson & Band elected to the Shanghai Higher People's Court's Register of Top-Tier Bankruptcy Administrators
August 2014
·Watson & Band's new office established in Hong Kong
September 2011
·Watson & Band recognized as Class A Shanghai Foreign-Related Consultancy
March 2010
·Watson & Band passes ISO9001: 2008 International Quality Management System Standards Certification
March 2008
·Watson & Band established new office in Beijing
June 2007
·Watson & Band elected to Shanghai Higher People's Court's Register of Bankruptcy Administrators
June 2006
·Watson & Band establishes new office in Harbin
May 2003
·Watson & Band appointed a Foreign-Related Trademark Agency
April 2003
·Watson & Band relocated to Shanghai Wen Xin United Press Tower (now known as "Shanghai United Press Tower")
October 2000
· Watson & Band relocated to Shanghai New Huangpu Mansion
April 2000
· Watson & Band appointed Foreign-Related IP Agency
September 1998
·Watson & Band relocated to Shanghai China Enterprise Tower
September 1998
·Gong Xin Law Firm officially renamed Watson & Band Law Offices
July 1997
· Gong Xin Law Firm relocated to Shanghai Zhong Lan Mansion
February 1995
·Gong Xin Law Firm, predecessor of Watson & Band, is established
Watson & Band believes that pro bono work is an essential element of every attorney's professional responsibility and that lawyers possess unparalleled knowledge and skills which enable them to serve the disadvantaged and promote the public interest in ways that individuals from no other profession can. We therefore encourage our lawyers to render public interest legal service. Our lawyers are currently engaged in a variety of such endeavors, primarily including legal aid, legal seminars and lectures, and direct representation of low income individuals. As professionals, lawyers are obligated to serve society, propel the development of the judicial profession, and spread knowledge of the law to the public, all of which are key reasons for our support of pro bono services. A nation ruled by law vests its lawyers with the obligation to ensure the sound operation of the judicial system; in particular, to ensure that poor, children and the handicapped to receive greater legal protection. To this end, we encourage our lawyers to provide a certain number of hours of pro bono services every year.
We also support public interest legal service because it provides valuable experience for lawyers in the firm and because it gets lawyers actively involved in the community. An involvement in pro bono activities is an important factor in our ongoing evaluation of our attorneys, and a willingness to serve and become involved with the community evidences a level of maturity and professionalism that we highly commend.
We provide the same quality of representation to all clients in Pro Bono projects. We give Pro bono projects the same staffing, attention, and resources as any other project. Pro bono matters are represented by attorneys with the required knowledge and experience and are supervised by partners, with the full resources of the firm available for support.
We are members of a number of international and domestic associations, such as AIPPI, INTA, ICC, Shanghai Municipal Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment, and Shanghai Intellectual Property Association, and we strive to develop and exploit Pro Bono projects in virtue of these associations.
For over a decade our team members have collaborated to stay on top of IP and corporate issues, helping clients improve operations, reduce costs, limit risks, enforce rights and achieve common business goals. For these reasons, the firm and its professionals are consistently recognized in client and peer-reviewed industry awards and rankings as being among the best.
2024
·Designated Service Provider for the 2024 Shanghai Patent Navigation Project
·Outstanding Trademark Agency in Shanghai (2024)
·Rated a “5A-Level Trademark Agency“ - Top 600 Trademark Agencies in China
·Ranked in 2024 ALB China IP Rankings in top tiers in “Patent” and “Trademark/Copyright”
·Honored in the 2024 China Business Law Awards in Bankruptcy and Restructuring by China Business Law Journal
·Nominated for three awards in ALB China Regional Law Awards 2024: East China, including "Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year: East China"
·Recognized as a “Leading Law Firm in Intellectual Property (Litigation & Non-Litigation) and Corporate/Commercial” by Chambers and Partners
·Recommended Law Firm of the Year in Intellectual Property (Contentious and Non-contentious) – The Legal 500
·2024 LEGALBAND Top Ranked Law Firm in Intellectual Property, Bankruptcy Restructuring & Liquidation, and Data Protection
·2024 Ranked Firm of IP STARS (from Managing IP) in Trademark Disputes
·Ranked in the Top 40 Foreign-Related Trademark Agencies in China
·Listed in the 2024 WTR100 List of Global Leading Trademark Firms
·Listed in IAM Patent 1000 2024 rankings in Patent Prosecution and Patent Litigation
·Recognized Firm in Intellectual Property by Asialaw Profiles
·Listed in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 (Dispute Resolution) and China Rankings
2023
"2022 Outstanding Trademark Agency" and "5A-Level Trademark Agency"
·ALB's "2023 IP Rankings" (Trademarks, Patents)
·ALB China Regional Law Awards 2023: East China "Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year"
·Listed as a "Leading Law Firm" in IP Litigation and Corporate & Commercial by Chambers and Partners
·Listed as an "Recommended Law Firm" in IP Contentious and Non-contentious by The Legal 500
·Recognized as a "2023 Top-ranked Law Firm" by LEGALBAND in intellectual property and bankruptcy liquidation and reorganization
·Honored in the "2023 China Business Law Awards" by China Business Law Journal in Privacy and Data Protection
·Included in 2023 WTR1000 List of Global Leading Trademark Firms in prosecution and strategy, enforcement and litigation
·Included in 2023 IAM Patent 1000 in litigation and prosecution
·Named a "Recognized Firm in Intellectual Property" by Asialaw Profiles
·Listed in 2023 Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Guide/China Regional Rankings: Intellectual Property
2022
·"2021-2022 Outstanding Trademark Agency" and "Class-A Model Agency for Trademark Agency Services"
·ALB's "2022 IP Rankings" (Trademarks, Patents)
·ALB China Regional Law Awards 2022: East China "Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year"
·Listed as a "Leading Law Firm" in IP Litigation and Corporate & Commercial by Chambers and Partners
·Listed as an "Recommended Law Firm" in IP Contentious and Non-contentious by The Legal 500
·Recognized as a "2022 Top-ranked Law Firm" by LEGALBAND in intellectual property and bankruptcy liquidation and reorganization
·Honored in the "2022 China Business Law Awards" by China Business Law Journal in Media, Entertainment and Sports
·Included in 2022 WTR1000 List of Global Leading Trademark Firms in prosecution and strategy, enforcement and litigation
·Included in 2022 IAM Patent 1000 in litigation and prosecution
·Named a "Recognized Firm in Intellectual Property" by Asialaw Profiles
·Listed in 2022 Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Guide/China Regional Rankings: Intellectual Property
2021
·ALB's "2021 IP Rankings" (Trademarks, Patents)
·Listed as a "Leading Law Firm" in IP Litigation and Corporate & Commercial by Chambers and Partners
·Listed as an "Recommended Law Firm" in IP Contentious and Non-contentious by The Legal 500
·Recognized as a "2021 Top-ranked Law Firm" by LEGALBAND
·Honored in the "2021 China Business Law Awards" by China Business Law Journal in Privacy and Data Protection
·Included in 2021 WTR1000 List of Global Leading Trademark Firms
·Included in 2021 IAM Patent 1000 in litigation and prosecution
·Named a "Recognized Firm in Intellectual Property" by Asialaw Profiles
·Listed in 2021 Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Guide/China Regional Rankings: Intellectual Property
2020
·"Excellent Trademark Agency for the Year 2020" by China Trademark Association and Shanghai Trademark Association
·ALB's "2020 IP Rankings" (Trademarks, Patents)
·Listed as a "Leading Law Firm" in IP Litigation and Corporate & Commercial by Chambers and Partners
·Listed as an "Recommended Law Firm" in IP Contentious and Non-contentious by The Legal 500
·Recognized as a "2020 China Top Law Firm" by LEGALBAND
·Honored the "2020 Excellent Law Firm Award" by China Business Law Journal in Privacy and Data Protection
·Included in 2020 WTR1000 List of Global Leading Trademark Firms
·Included in 2020 IAM Patent 1000 List of "Patent Litigation China Domestic Firms"
·Named a "Recognized Firm in Intellectual Property" by Asialaw Profiles
·Listed in the 2020 Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Guide: Intellectual Property
2019
·ALB's "Leading IP Law Firm" (Trademarks, Patents)
·Named a "Leading IP Law Firm" by Chambers and Partners
·Listed as an Asia-Pacific "Top-Tier IP Law Firm" by The Legal 500
·Recognized as a "2019 China Top Law Firm " by LEGALBAND
·Included in 2019 WTR1000 List of Leading Global Trademark Firms
·Included in 2019 IAM Patent 1000 List of "Patent Litigation China Domestic Firms"
·Named a "Notable Firm in the Intellectual Property Area" by Asialaw Profiles
·Included in the IP Rankings of Asia IP Profiles (Trademarks, Patents)
·Listed in the 2019 Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Guide: Intellectual Property
·Included in the TOP 10 List of China IP Litigation Agencies (Civil Trademark Disputes)
·Included in the TOP 10 List of China IP Litigation (Patent Teams)
2018
·ALB's "Leading IP Law Firm" (Trademarks, Patents)
·Named a "Leading IP Law Firm" by Chambers and Partners
·Listed as an Asia-Pacific "Top-Tier IP Law Firm" by The Legal 500
·Recognized as a "2018 China Top Law Firm " by LEGALBAND
·Included in 2018 WTR1000 List of Leading Global Trademark Firms
·Included in 2018 IAM Patent 1000 List of "Litigation and Transactions China Domestic Firm"
·Named an "IP Litigation Law Firm of the Year in China" in Corporate INTL magazine
·Named a "Full Service Law Firm of the Year – China" in Corporate USA Today magazine
·Recognized as a "2017 Outstanding IP Services Team in China" by China Intellectual Property Magazine
2017
·M&A Today –Full Service Law Firm of the Year - China
·ALB's "Leading IP Law Firm" (Trademarks, Patents)
·Included in World Trademark Review's 2017 WTR1000 List of Leading Global Trademark Firms
·Won "Best Patent Dispute Specialists in China" Award from Acquisition International Magazine
·Named a "Leading IP Law Firm" by Chambers and Partners
·Recognized as the 2016 Outstanding IP Services Team in China by China Intellectual Property Magazine
2016
IAM Patent 1000 Names W&B Top Law Firm and Top Lawyer for Chinese Patent Litigation and Licensing
· Named a "Leading IP Law Firm" by Chambers and Partners
· Honored as a "Intellectual Property: Litigation Leading Firm" by WTR 1000
· Named "2011~2015 National Excellent Law Firm" by the All-China Lawyers Association
·Listed as an Asia-Pacific "Top-Tier IP Law Firm" by Legal500
·Listed in AsiaLaw Profile as a "Highly Recommended Firm"
2015
· Awarded as Shanghai Law Firm of the Year and for Insolvency & Restructuring Law Firm of the Year by Asian Legal Business (ALB)
· 2011-2015 Named Shanghai Top Law Firm by the Shanghai Bar Association
· IAM Patent 1000 Names W&B Top Law Firm and Top Lawyer for Chinese Patent Litigation and Licensing
· Shanghai Trademark Agent Integrity Unit
· Deputy Director of Shanghai Trademark Association Professional Committee
· Named a "Leading IP Law Firm" by Chambers and Partners
· ALB's "Asia's 50 Largest Law Firms of 2015"
· Listed as an Asia-Pacific "Top-Tier IP Law Firm" by Legal500
· Listed in AsiaLaw Profile as a "Recommended Firm"
· Named a 2015 LEGALBAND China Top 50 Law Firm Brand
· Ranked as A+ Enterprise by Shanghai Contract Credit Promotion Association Evaluates
· Named an Enterprise Recognized for Contract and Credit Compliance by Shanghai Contract Credit Promotion Association Evaluates
2014
· Listed in AsiaLaw Profile as a "Highly Recommended Firm"
· Named "China's Most Trustworthy IP Law Firm" by Acquisition International Magazine
· Listed as a 2013 "Advanced Work Unit" of the Xuhui District Judicial and Administrative System
· Listed as an Asia-Pacific "Top-Tier IP Law Firm" by Legal500
2013
· Listed as a "Highly Recommended Law Firm" by IAM Magazine
2012
· Listed as a "2011 Advanced Work Unit" of the Xuhui District Judicial and Administrative System
· Named a "Key Enterprise for the Shanghai Professional Services Trade" (Legal Services Subdivision)
· Advanced Party Branch of the Xuhui District Judicial and Administrative System in the "Satisfied in Xuhui" Program
· Named a "Leading IP Law Firm" by Chambers and Partners
2011
· Awarded the title "Excellent Services Unit" of the Shanghai Patent Agency Industry
· Watson & Band's Administrator Practice Work Group awarded a pennant by the People's Government of Anting Town, Jiading District, Shanghai
· Named "Advanced Party Branch" of the Xuhui District Judicial and Administrative System
· Named 2010 "Advanced Work Unit" of the Shanghai Municipality Judicial and Administrative System
· Named "Advanced Law Firm for Shanghai World Expo Services" by the Shanghai Bar Association
2010
· Awarded "2010 Shanghai World Expo Services Advanced Work Unit" by the Xuhui District Judicial and Administrative System
· Awarded Shanghai World Expo Volunteer Services Model Work Unit of Xuhui District for the "Shanghai World Expo Youth Activity"
2009
· Named 2009 Advanced Work Unit of the Xuhui District Judicial and Administrative System
· Named 2008 Advanced Legal Aid Collective of the Year
· Named 2007-2008 "Model Work Unit of the Year" of Xuhui District of Shanghai
· Named "IP Law Firm of the Year" by the Asian Law Journal (ALB)
· Ranked first in IP services (in Shanghai) in 2009 and 8th on the comprehensive rankings of Shanghai-based law firms by LawFirm50, a non-profit ranking institution
2008
· Named 2005-2007 "Best Chinese Law Firm" by the All-China Bar Association
· Named "Best Chinese Law Firm" by the Justice Bureau of the State Council
· Named a "Leading IP Law Firm" by the Asian Law Journal (ALB)
· Named a "Top 10 IP Law Firm" by China Law & Practice Magazine
· Named a "Leading IP Law Firm" by Chambers and Partners
