Ciara Cullen
Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead
Ciara leads our Retail & Consumer sector group at RPC and has acted as a trusted advisor for over 20 years to some of the world’s best-known consumer brands, across Food & Drink, Fashion & Beauty, Luxury, FMCG, Tech & Digital Media. Ciara has deep sector knowledge and plays a pivotal role in helping clients and industry players navigate the fast-moving Retail & Consumer landscape. She is also recognised as a Leading Individual for Retail & Consumer (Legal 500 UK, 2025).
An IP specialist, Ciara advises on the full range of IP rights and supports brands with IP exploitation and enforcement, licensing and collaboration, and sponsorship opportunities. Ciara has significant litigation experience before the UK and Irish High Courts and Courts of Appeal, IPEC, and ICC and has helped clients successfully resolve disputes through all forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
Ciara’s practice also has a strong regulatory focus supporting clients with their key strategic priorities, including the implementation of their net zero strategies, the design and roll out of their green marketing campaigns and cutting-edge product innovations. Ciara also has a wealth of experience helping clients manage customer and supply chain relationships, including the resolution of disputes relating to supply and logistics, exclusive distribution rights, lead brewer terms, and licensing arrangements - whether through contract management, mediation, arbitration, or litigation.
A recognised thought leader, Ciara regularly contributes to leading industry journals (e.g. Managing IP, The Distillers Journal, The Brewers Journal) and speaks at key industry events (Retail Week GC Summit, BRC's Climate Action Week Panel, Low2No Bev Show, and The Gin Guild annual conference).
“I’m very lucky to be able to work with some brilliant people at amazing companies in dynamic sectors - whether it’s supporting with innovative new product launches, navigating challenging regulatory developments, or supporting through a dispute or crisis, no two days are the same. I love that.”
“Building long-term relationships and connecting on a human level is important to me – I enjoy bringing people together and connecting clients with their industry peers. To be a true business partner to your clients you really need to get under the skin of their industry, understand their business, stay ahead of the curve on key trends and developments, and help make them shine in their in-house roles.”
“I’m passionate about building a genuinely high performing, diverse and inclusive team at RPC and creating an environment where people can grow, achieve their ambitions - and have fun while doing it!”
Ciara’s recent work highlights:
- Co-leading the RPC team supporting an industry-wide consortium of drinks companies, retailers and Trade Associations in setting up the entity to apply for and operate the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme;
- Successfully settling a High Court contractual dispute between a multinational drink and brewing company and its customer; and
- Acting in various trade mark, passing off, design rights, copyright and breach of confidence disputes before the English High Court and IPEC.
Get in touch
Expertise sectors
Retail & Consumer, Technology, Media & Telecoms, Food & Beverage, Retailers, Consumer Brands
Expertise services
Commercial, Intellectual Property, Consumer Products & Services
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