Abion Welcomes Industry Leader Chris Sleep to Head Litigation & Dispute Management

London, UK | 13th January 2025

In a strategic move to strengthen its global litigation services, Abion, a leader in full-circle intellectual property (IP) solutions, announces the appointment of Chris Sleep as the new Head of Litigation & Dispute Management.

Bringing nearly 20 years of experience in IP litigation and dispute resolution working for many of the world’s most well-known brands, Sleep’s appointment represents a significant step in Abion's strategy to enhance its service offering and deepen its commitment to supporting clients in all aspects of the protection and enforcement of the IP in their brands. Sleep is known for his dynamic leadership in developing sophisticated models for the proactive management of disputes. His role at Abion will leverage his extensive expertise to provide brand owners with a holistic and commercially focused approach to dispute resolution.

A Global Vision for Litigation Services

As a UK-qualified solicitor, Sleep specialises in litigation and dispute resolution, as well as strategic and advisory work for the protection, management and commercialisation of brands.

Chris will not only reinforce Abion’s UK operations but will also contribute to litigation work across Abion’s global offices and beyond. Focusing on IP litigation and dispute resolution, Chris’s addition ensures that our clients benefit from seamless, world-class legal support no matter where disputes arise.

Having worked on a number of high-profile cases in recent years, Chris has developed particular expertise in helping fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands devise strategies to combat private label lookalikes (products designed to imitate well-known brands). Chris’ deep understanding of the of practice used by the copyists, and the wider commercial factors relevant to the way in which brands can meet the challenges they face, have enabled him to develop effective solutions.

In addition to his litigation work, Chris has played an active role in helping to address regulatory and policy issues around lookalikes and “dupe culture” (including in supporting the work of the British Brands Group) and plays an active role as a member of the Marques Unfair Competition committee. As brands face increasing challenges from imitation products, Chris’s leadership will be instrumental in helping Abion’s clients navigate these complex and evolving issues.

Steve Lane, Head of Brands & Legal at Abion, shared his enthusiasm for Chris’s appointment:

“Chris’s reputation as a litigator and his advanced approach to dispute management make him the perfect fit for Abion. His expertise will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our litigation services and help global brand owners protect their most valuable assets.”

Chris added:

“Joining Abion is a fantastic opportunity to work with a team that shares my commitment to innovation and excellence in IP litigation. I look forward to collaborating across Abion’s global offices to deliver results-driven solutions for our clients.”

A New Era for Litigation & Dispute Management

Beyond his experience in the courtroom, Chris brings a unique perspective to litigation and has combined his expertise and knowledge as a CEDR-Accredited Mediator to develop a more comprehensive and commercially driven model for managing disputes. This progressive framework emphasises early resolution strategies and tailored solutions to protect and enhance the commercial value of clients' brands.

Chris explained:

“Disputes are an inevitable part of brand management, but there are a multitude of factors that add risk and complexity for how brand owners deal with them – not just legal factors, but commercial, budgetary or PR concerns, to name just a few. Litigation is just one of a number of tools available to brands but is not always suitable. Complex disputes require complex solutions, drawing on the full range of tools and strategies. These should be proactively managed to provide tailored solutions to help mitigate the risk and face challenges head-on. By doing so, we can help brands to navigate a path through these complexities to achieve the right commercial outcomes, delivered within agreed budgets and timelines. This approach perfectly complements Abion’s innovative and comprehensive IP services for brand owners and I am excited to continue to develop it further alongside my new colleagues.”

Get in Touch

If you have any questions about our IP Litigation & Dispute Management services, please do not hesitate to email Chris (chris.sleep@abion.com) or contact the main London office on +44 203 714 9490.

Mentions in Media

This news has caught the attention of the industry media. Read more: 

• Managing IP - read the full article here.

For press-enquiries, please contact: Emil Björnum, CMO at Abion, emil.bjornum@abion.com / +46 31 720 20 00