Biography: Intellectual Property

Mark is a litigation partner with the firm and one of the core members of the firm's litigation and dispute resolution team. He is a seasoned litigator that has successfully carved a niche for himself in intellectual property and maritime enforcement matters as well as negotiating out of court settlements in favour of clients in this area. His areas of specialisation include admiralty matters, commercial litigation, arbitration and general civil litigation matters. He also represents a number of international pharmaceutical companies in intellectual property disputes, international brand owners and Nigerian private companies.

In the course of his intellectual property enforcement practice, Mark has prosecuted several class actions, IP enforcement matters ranging from trademark infringements; enforcements of rights to letters of patents; copyright enforcement actions, unlawful interference with the performance of contracts cases for major multinational/local pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies as well as opposition proceedings before the Trademark Registry. In the course of prosecuting these cases he has successfully obtained and enforced in every case, pre-emptive remedies in the nature of Anton Piller Orders, temporary restraining orders or injunctions against counterfeit producers, parallel importers and passers-off; and also renders anti-counterfeiting advice.

Mark obtained a Bachelors Degree in Law (LLB honours) from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria in 1988 and is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted 1989). He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Trademarks Association, and the Anti-Counterfeiting Group.

Some of the significant disputes that Mark has been involved in over the years include: trademark infringement actions on behalf of multinational companies; advising and representing oil and gas majors in arbitration proceedings on EPC projects as well as advising on and prosecuting matters of debt recovery for a number of banks.