Urko Ochoa

Partner

Urko Ochoa is the Head of the Intellectual Property Practice of MINIÑO. His practice comprises all aspects related to Intellectual Property in Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, with a particular focus on trademark and patent protection, commercialization and enforcement as well as strategic advice in search, filing and due diligence multi-jurisdictional projects and cross-border litigation.

After working 4 years in a prestigious IP litigation and anti-counterfeiting law firm in Spain and qualifying as Industrial Property Agent before the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, in 2003 he joined the Alicante office of the international law firm Hogan Lovells, where he founded the Spanish Intellectual Property Department of that firm. During those years he handled numerous matters relating to European Union and Spanish trademarks and designs on behalf of the firm’s multinational clients. Moreover, he was involved in a considerable number of registration projects, cross-border litigation matters and worldwide transactions, having been listed as a recommended lawyer in European Legal Experts.

In 2008, he decided to move to Dominican Republic, the country of birth of his wife, where he joined the team of MINIÑO Abogados to manage its Intellectual Property department. Urko provides his expertise and work experience in reputed law firms for multinational clients in advanced legal systems, this being a unique advantage to the firm.

In recent years Urko has been consistently ranked as an expert in Dominican Republic in specialized guides such as WTR1000 (Gold Tier), WIPR Leaders, Chambers Global, Legal 500, Who’s Who and ILO Client Choice Award.

At the same time, Urko is very involved in the International Trademark Association (INTA), where he has been re-elected for two consecutive terms as Chair of the Latin America and Caribbean Sub-Committee of Famous and Well-Known Marks.

 

TESTIMONIALS

“A magnet for the most exciting and news-making brands, Urko Ochoa is the group’s award-winning talisman. “He has a brilliant understanding of trademark law in many jurisdictions, and provides tip-top advice on prosecution matters and much more.”” WTR 1000 2018.

“Holding the reins of the IP practice is Spanish wunderkind Urko Ochoa, “one of the best attorneys you could hope to have on your side”. “He understands the needs and budgets of his clients, and provides creative solutions that help you move past conflicts.” “His insight into European trademark law is absolutely an asset”. WTR1000, 2016.

“A Spaniard with extensive European experience on his resumé, Urko Ochoa is easy to distinguish on the market. His international savoir-faire keeps him at the forefront of IP developments locally and regionally”. WTR1000, 2015.

“Urko Ochoa helms the IP unit; with his European education and experience combined with local know-how, he is a uniquely qualified individual prized by clients with cross-border interests”. WTR1000, 2014.

“According to one source, Urko Ochoa is “one of the few lawyers who’ll respond immediately to questions,” while another interviewee praised his “deep understanding of the law”. Chambers and Partners, 2014.

“Clients agree that his experience in European jurisdictions provides a valuable and broad perspective”. Chambers and Partners, 2012

Areas of Practice

  • Intellectual Property
  • Trademark Prosecution and Enforcement
  • Patent Prosecution and Enforcement
  • Health Regulation
  • Licensing, franchising, distribution la

Education

  • J.D. Universidad PontificiaJ.D. Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICADE)vMadrid, Spain, 1999
  • L.L.M in Intellectual Property (Magister Lucentinus), University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain, 2000

RANKINGS

  • Chambers and Partners
  • WTR 1000
  • Legal 500
  • Who´s Who
  • ILO
  • WIPR Leaders

MEMBERSHIP

  • International Trademark Association (INTA) and Chair of the Latin America and Caribbean Sub-Committee of Famous and Well-Known Marks
  • Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI)
  • Association of Industrial Property Agents of Spain (COAPI)
  • Madrid Bar Association

LANGUAGES

English, Spanish