Our Team

IONIC LEGAL

Welcome to the Ionic Legal team, where our team of IP experts exemplify the core Ionic values of collaboration, dedication, and excellence. With over 100 years' collective experience, our team have worked together for many years, not only as colleagues but as friends, creating a unique bond that enhances our seamless collaboration and exceptional service.

Our team is recognised for its outstanding work, consistently featured in both the Legal 500 and Chambers guides to the legal profession for providing outstanding legal services to clients domestically and internationally. We have assembled a strong intellectual property team, which is renowned for its expertise and an innovative approach to solving complex legal challenges.

At Ionic Legal, our commitment to excellence, rooted in years of professional and personal camaraderie, make us the go-to choice for all your intellectual property needs.

Roy Crozier

Co-Founder and Partner

Roy Crozier

Co-Founder and Partner

Roy has over 25 years of experience from leading law firms, including 5 years at Baker & McKenzie, 12 years as the Head of Intellectual Property at Clarke Willmott and, more recently, joint Head of IP at Foot Anstey. As a leading lawyer recognised in the Legal 500 and Chambers guides to the legal profession, Roy’s expertise in advising brands on protecting, exploiting, and enforcing intellectual property rights is considerable. Throughout his career, Roy has advised some of the world’s most renowned brands. His significant experience in both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law has seen him act for brands in both domestic and international disputes and complex corporate transactions. He has acted for companies before the IPEC, High Court, Court of Appeal and the Court of Justice of the European Union. Moreover, through a network of global contacts, he has assisted clients with disputes in many parts of the world and is currently assisting clients in relation to intellectual property litigation before the courts in China, Taiwan and Germany.

Email:[email protected]

Paul Cox

Co-Founder and Partner

Paul Cox

Co-Founder and Partner

Paul Cox has over 25 years of extensive experience in the field of intellectual property. Paul was previously Joint Head of IP at Foot Anstey. Prior to that, he served as Head of IP at Clarke Willmott for eight years and spent several years at London firms, Baker & McKenzie and SJ Berwin. Throughout his career, Paul has conducted litigation through the High Court and the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and has managed large portfolios of trade marks and designs, establishing a reputation for his profound knowledge and skill in IP law. His exceptional contributions to the field have been consistently recognised in legal directories, where he is lauded as a leading IP solicitor.
Paul's accolades include being a member of the Legal 500 Hall of Fame for IP in the South East. Furthermore, he has received commendations from the World Trademark Review, earning a silver ranking for Prosecution & Strategy and a bronze ranking for Enforcement & Litigation.

Email:[email protected]

Andrew Stone

Partner

Andrew Stone

Partner

Andrew Stone has worked with Paul and Roy for many years, advising a diverse range of clients on Intellectual Property matters with a particular expertise in Anti-Counterfeiting. Throughout his career, Andrew has handled various intellectual property issues through different legal solutions, including significant experience in trade mark, passing off, copyright, design right and patent litigation, as well as advising on breach of privacy and breach of confidence claims. Andrew’s experience encompasses all aspects of both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law. He represents many of the world’s most renowned brands in both domestic and international disputes, and has appeared for clients in cases before the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC), High Court, Court of Appeal, and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Notably, he recently acted for Heritage Audio SL in the Court of Appeal case of AMS Neve Ltd & Ors v Heritage Audio SL & Anor [2018] EWCA Civ 86 and at the CJEU (Case number C 172/18). Andrew has been recognized for his exceptional work, being ranked in Legal 500 as a "Next Generation Partner" and "Key Lawyer" in 2024 and listed as "Up and Coming" in the Chambers and Partners Guide 2023.

Email:[email protected]

Annalisa Checchi

Partner

Annalisa Checchi

Partner

Annalisa Checchi has over 20 years of legal experience in the UK and abroad advising on non-contentious Commercial, Intellectual Property, IT, and Data Protection matters . As a Partner at Ionic Legal, she provides strategic legal counsel to businesses across diverse industries, including technology, aerospace, media, and retail. With extensive experience in both in-house legal departments and private practice, Annalisa has a proven track record of negotiating complex contracts, developing IP strategies, and enhancing legal compliance frameworks for international corporations, startups, and high-growth companies, ensuring risk mitigation and commercial success. She played a key role in securing legal support contracts for major initiatives, including the Aerospace Cornwall programme and Falmouth University Futures programme. Annalisa is also experienced in supporting UK businesses with international expansion and cross-border commercial agreements. Recognised as a Next Generation Partner for TMT (Technology, Media & Telecommunications) in the Legal 500 (2024 & 2025), Annalisa is a thought leader in the legal community. She has served in leadership roles within professional organisations such as the European Young Bar Association and the Junior Lawyers Division of The Law Society of England & Wales. Fluent in Italian and Spanish, she brings a global perspective to her legal practice, ensuring that businesses navigate complex legal landscapes with confidence.

Email:[email protected]

Chandni Jobanputra

Managing Associate

Chandni Jobanputra

Managing Associate

Chandni is a Managing Associate in our Intellectual Property team with over 10 years’ experience in the field. She has extensive expertise in managing trade mark and design portfolios, and prosecuting trade mark and design rights in the UK and abroad. In particular, she oversees some of the firm's largest portfolios, adeptly navigating the complexities of registration procedures worldwide. Chandni is dedicated to securing a balanced and cost-effective portfolio of rights that align with clients’ strategic and commercial goals, enabling them to pre-emptively address and resolve disputes. In addition, she is proficient in conducting clearance searches across the UK and internationally, ensuring new brands are legally clear for use. Her comprehensive approach equips clients with the confidence to protect their intellectual property assets proactively. Chandni also has significant experience of enforcing intellectual property rights in the UK, guiding clients through both civil and criminal proceedings. With previous roles at Cath Kidston and Jack Wills, Chandni offers invaluable insights into the challenges faced by in-house legal teams, positioning herself as a trusted advisor. Chandni is fluent in Gujarati and Hindi.

Email:[email protected]

Emily Rollason

Solicitor

Emily Rollason

Solicitor

Emily qualified in 2023 following her training at Clarke Willmott in Intellectual Property. Emily has been working with Paul, Roy and Andrew for several years and has assisted on a wide range of matters, both contentious and non-contentious. Over the past year, Emily has had a particular focus on trade mark registration and enforcement and has been managing several global trade mark portfolios for clients.

Irene Albesiano

Paralegal

Irene Albesiano

Paralegal

Irene assists on a wide range of matters, both contentious and non-contentious. In particular, Irene assists Andrew on anti-counterfeiting and litigation matters. Irene supports the team by reviewing and drafting various emails and documents, as well as conducting legal research. Irene is on the SQE pathway to qualify as a solicitor. Irene is fluent in Italian, and can also speak French and German.

Email:[email protected]

Becca Vanstone-Vosper

Paralegal

Becca Vanstone-Vosper

Paralegal

Becca graduated from Exeter University in 2023. Becca supports the team on prosecution and enforcement matters, working closely with Paul and Chandni in particular. She reviews and drafts a variety of legal documents, conducts legal research and assists the wider team by ensuring trade mark portfolios are well managed. Becca is on the SQE pathway to qualify as a solicitor in February 2026.

Email:[email protected]

Sofia Crozier

Paralegal

Sofia Crozier

Paralegal

Sofia is currently studying Law at the University of Liverpool. She is supporting our fast-growing team on administrative and legal matters.

Email:[email protected]

Eve Mercier

Paralegal

Eve Mercier

Paralegal

Eve holds a BA in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford and an LLM from the University of Bristol. She has worked as a paralegal since graduating in 2023.

Gurmeet Jakhu

Legal Consultant

Gurmeet Jakhu

Legal Consultant

Gurmeet is a Franchise and Commercial Law specialist with over 25 years’ experience in franchising, licensing and other commercial trading agreements, gained at national, regional and boutique law firms and in house. Gurmeet advises on commercial and franchise disputes, resolution strategies, and business protection litigation, including pre-emptive injunctive relief. He has been involved in major High Court, Court of Appeal, and mediation disputes, and drafts franchise and commercial agreements. He has lectured on franchising and IP issues internationally. He has been ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK Guide. He is also a speaker and contributor at franchising events, seminars and publications.

Natalia Shvarts

Legal Consultant

Natalia Shvarts

Legal Consultant

Natalia Shvarts is an experienced franchise lawyer with over 16 years in the field. She began her career at a niche franchise firm, supporting franchisors with franchise agreements, overseas expansion, resales and exits, trade mark registration and trade mark infringement matters, consumer law, and data protection issues. Natalia has spent 7 years in-house as legal counsel for an award-winning franchisor. She has contributed to legal publications, including Lexology's Getting The Deal Through, and is a regular contributor to Elite Franchise magazine. Natalia is also a non-executive director of the BFA, a co-host of a franchise podcast, and a speaker at events and seminars.