Watson & Band is pleased to announce its continued recognition in the 2026 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000), the definitive guide to the world's leading trademark professionals.

In this year's guide, Watson & Band secured top-tier rankings in two core practice areas: "Enforcement and Litigation" and "Prosecution and Strategy." Notably, the firm’s standing in the "Prosecution and Strategy" category advanced significantly, underscoring our expanding capabilities in comprehensive portfolio management.

Individual Accolades

Two of the firm’s senior leaders were acclaimed for their exceptional market standing:

       ■  Liu Yizhou maintained his Silver band ranking in "Enforcement and Litigation."

       ■  Zhang Liming maintained his Silver band ranking in "Enforcement and Litigation" and once again earned a Recommended ranking in the "Transactions" category.

Liu Yizhou

Secretary General of the Management Committee 

Senior Partner

Zhang Liming

Senior Partner

Attorney-at-Law

Patent Attorney

Editorial Commentary from WTR

Trusted by leading domestic and international brands for its ability to deliver robust protection and decisive outcomes in contentious matters, Watson & Band combines litigation strength with strategic portfolio management, making it a go-to for complex disputes and high-stakes administrative proceedings.

Among its litigation luminaries, Yizhou Liu commands attention for his formidable advocacy in trademark infringement, copyright disputes and unfair competition cases. With close to two decades of experience, Liu has steered numerous precedent-setting matters, including actions recognized by the Supreme People's Court and provincial IP courts.

Liming Zhang is another standout with over 25 years in practice. His deep technical background and legal insight make him a trusted adviser for complex disputes and portfolio structuring. On the transactional front, Zhang excels in trademark licensing and cross-border IP deals, ensuring clients achieve commercial objectives while mitigating regulatory

About WTR 1000

The World Trademark Review 1000 is the only standalone research directory focused exclusively on trademark practices and practitioners. Regarded as the "definitive resource for seeking world-class trademark expertise," the guide is the result of a rigorous four-month research process involving over 1,000 interviews with counsel and brand owners across 90 global jurisdictions.

A Commitment to Global Excellence

Watson & Band’s consecutive listings in the WTR 1000, combined with its upward trajectory in the rankings, serve as international validation of our professional strength. As Chinese enterprises continue to expand their global footprint, the demand for specialized IP services is accelerating. Watson & Band’s domestic and international teams stand ready to provide comprehensive, high-quality intellectual property support to clients worldwide.