Vasil Pavlov

About the Lawyer

Vasil Pavlov is a Bulgarian attorney at law, patent and trademark attorney specializing in intellectual property protection with over 20 years of experience. He is recognized as a pioneer in data privacy, protection, and compliance within the rapidly evolving technological landscape. Vasil’s extensive legal practice encompasses copyright consultations, contract development and negotiations, and comprehensive work relating to patents, trademarks, geographical indications, and design protection.

He represents both national and international clients before institutions such as the Bulgarian Patent Office, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), courts including the Court of Justice of the European Union, customs authorities, and competition commissions. Vasil is noted for his strategic and holistic approach to intellectual property law and litigation.

Experience

Vasil Pavlov began his professional career in 2001 as a lawyer at Manev and Partners (later MS Partners), quickly advancing to become managing partner of the intellectual property law firm MS Partners in 2006, a position he held until 2012. Since then, he has been the managing partner of Pavlov & Co, a boutique law firm known for its strong intellectual property practice.

He was among the first attorneys in Bulgaria to implement Customs Border Measures in 2003, protecting the rights of major world brands at the border. In 2009, he won Bulgaria’s first court case on data exclusivity infringement representing a local division of a large international pharmaceutical company. With more than 300 court cases and over 400 procedures before the Bulgarian Patent Office, he ranks among Bulgaria’s top intellectual property litigators.

His practice also includes extensive representation before the EUIPO, where he has been one of the top Bulgarian representatives by number of Community Trade Mark filings. Vasil is consistently recognized as a leading Bulgarian intellectual property lawyer for his deep knowledge and responsiveness.

Specialty

Vasil Pavlov’s expertise centers on all aspects of intellectual property law, including:

• Trade mark registration, enforcement, and opposition proceedings
• Patent, trademark, geographical indications, and design protection
• Copyright consultations and contract negotiation
• Representation before national courts, the European Court of Justice, customs authorities, and competition bodies
• Customs Border Measures and enforcement actions concerning IP rights
• Strategic counsel on data privacy and compliance in the technological environment

He serves clients across various sectors such as food and drink, fashion, pharmaceuticals, and technology, providing both legal strategy and litigation support.

Education

No specific details on Vasil Pavlov’s academic degrees or universities attended were available in the provided sources.

• Industry Rankings

  • Vasil Pavlov is consistently top ranked by Chambers Europe, WTR 1000, and IP Stars as a leading Bulgarian lawyer in Intellectual Property since 2014.
  • Pavlov & Co is ranked in the Gold Band and recognized as a Tier 1 Firm for Patents and Trademarks, and was named Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year in Bulgaria in 2017 and 2018.
  • The firm is ranked among the Top 5 IP firms in Bulgaria in the first-ever country ranking.

• Awards

  • Pavlov & Co won the Global Law Experts Annual Awards in 2017 and 2018.
  • Vasil Pavlov was shortlisted for the Managing IP EMEA Awards 2025 as a Rising Star of the Year.

• Leadership Roles

  • Vasil Pavlov is the Managing Partner of Pavlov & Co.
  • He was previously managing partner of MS Partners (later Pavlov & Co) from 2006 to 2012.

• Major Case Successes

  • In 2009, Vasil Pavlov won the first court case in Bulgaria for Data Exclusivity infringement representing a local division of a large international pharmaceutical company.
  • He has handled over 300 court cases and more than 400 opposition/cancellation procedures before the Bulgarian Patent Office, ranking among the top litigators in Bulgaria.

• Notable Contributions

  • Vasil Pavlov was one of the first lawyers in Bulgaria to implement Customs Border Measures procedures for protecting major world brands starting in 2003.
  • He is recognized as a pioneer in global data privacy, protection, and compliance in the evolving technological landscape.
  • He is among the top 5 Bulgarian representatives by number of Community Trade Mark filings at the EUIPO.