Full Name
Rebecca O'Kelly-Gillard
Job Title
Partner
Organization
Bird & Bird LLP
Speaker Bio
Rebecca O’Kelly-Gillard is a partner in Bird & Bird’s Intellectual Property Group in London and co-head of the firm’s International Copyright Group. She has worked extensively with multinational organisations across a range of industry sectors in all areas of soft IP, with a particular focus on trade mark and copyright issues in the digital and online space.
A major part of Rebecca’s practice involves helping companies set up global brand enforcement projects, using technology to streamline processes and make anti-counterfeiting programmes as cost-effective as possible. This includes developing strategies that help large global brands protect and enforce their rights against online infringement and perfect their digital footprint. Through this work, she has worked closely with customs authorities and was invited to serve as the Irish liaison between rights holders and international customs authorities in the initial phase of the World Customs Organization’s Interface Public-Members (IPM) project.
Rebecca’s digital practice covers all IP issues arising online, including highly complex questions of copyright infringement, hyperlinking and the communication of works to the public. She advises service platforms, content owners and content creators on navigating a changing legislative landscape and maximising their digital and data assets for commercial success. She is also a member of Bird & Bird’s Digital Rights & Assets steering group, which takes a multidisciplinary, sector-focused approach to helping clients protect and exploit the valuable data within their organisations.
While her focus has been contentious IP work, including mediation and arbitration, Rebecca has also advised on major corporate transactions with significant IP issues, particularly complex cross-border deals, future-proofing IP arrangements to account for digital developments.
She is passionate about developing new ways of delivering legal services, thinking beyond conventional approaches, and building stronger client relationships that go further than traditional legal advice.
Rebecca joined Bird & Bird in 2012, after training and practising with a leading Irish law firm for several years and working at a “magic circle” firm in London.
A major part of Rebecca’s practice involves helping companies set up global brand enforcement projects, using technology to streamline processes and make anti-counterfeiting programmes as cost-effective as possible. This includes developing strategies that help large global brands protect and enforce their rights against online infringement and perfect their digital footprint. Through this work, she has worked closely with customs authorities and was invited to serve as the Irish liaison between rights holders and international customs authorities in the initial phase of the World Customs Organization’s Interface Public-Members (IPM) project.
Rebecca’s digital practice covers all IP issues arising online, including highly complex questions of copyright infringement, hyperlinking and the communication of works to the public. She advises service platforms, content owners and content creators on navigating a changing legislative landscape and maximising their digital and data assets for commercial success. She is also a member of Bird & Bird’s Digital Rights & Assets steering group, which takes a multidisciplinary, sector-focused approach to helping clients protect and exploit the valuable data within their organisations.
While her focus has been contentious IP work, including mediation and arbitration, Rebecca has also advised on major corporate transactions with significant IP issues, particularly complex cross-border deals, future-proofing IP arrangements to account for digital developments.
She is passionate about developing new ways of delivering legal services, thinking beyond conventional approaches, and building stronger client relationships that go further than traditional legal advice.
Rebecca joined Bird & Bird in 2012, after training and practising with a leading Irish law firm for several years and working at a “magic circle” firm in London.
Speaking At
