Alerts

Warning: Trademark registration emails with false law firms details from Solicitors Ballard and Trademark Expressive

14 March 2025

Solicitors Ballard and Trademark Expressive falsely claiming to be law firms in relation to Intellectual Property matters.

What is the scam?

The website 'www.trademarkexpressive.com' is operating and falsely claiming to be a law firm in relation to Intellectual Property matters.

The SRA has also seen emails sent to members of the public by individuals purporting to be genuine solicitors (please see below). The email described the individuals as Intellectual Property Solicitors and are in relation to trademark matters.

The emails were sent using: 

• the domain of 'solicitorsballard.com' and providing the address of '126 Wood St, City of London', the telephone number of '+44 (0) 20 7193 8010' and the website of ''https://solicitorsballard.com'; and
• the domain of 'trademarkexpressive.com' provides an address in London, the telephone number of '+44 (0) 20 7193 8010' (the same telephone number) and the website of 'www.trademarkexpressive.com'.

The emails also variously refer to individuals called Michael Greenhalgh and James David Keating.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a genuine firm of solicitors called Solicitors Ballard or a genuine firm of solicitors called Trademark Expressive.

Any business or transaction through the website at 'www.trademarkexpressive.com', the address of '126 Wood St, City of London', the telephone number of '+44 (0) 20 7193 8010' and the email domains of '@trademarkexpressive.com' and @solicitorsballard.com are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA previously authorised or regulated a genuine person called Michael Greenhalgh. Michael Greenhalgh has confirmed that he is not connected to the above alert.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called James David Keating. Mr Keating does not work for Trademark Expressive and does not work in trademark law. It is believed that he is not connected to the above alert.

What should I do?

When a firm's or individual's identity has been copied exactly (or cloned), due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firm(s) or individual(s), or information of a similar nature to that described, you should conduct your own due diligence by checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law firm directly by reliable and established means. You can contact the SRA to find out if individuals or firms are regulated and authorised by the SRA and verify an individual's or firm's practising details. Other verification methods, such as checking public records (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.