Lawyers
Mario C. Cerilles, Jr., JD, MSc, LL.M
Mario is a leading Intellectual Property (IP) practitioner whose work spans law practice, policy advocacy, and academic leadership. His commitment to strengthening IP protection in the Philippines and abroad has earned him recognition as a Leading Partner by The Legal 500.
Practice Leadership and Expertise
As Managing Partner of CFIP Law, Mario oversees high‑stakes matters involving trademarks, copyrights, patents, and cross‑border IP strategy. He has led teams in:
- Defending a globally recognized fashion brand in a major trademark opposition filed by a large Philippine retail conglomerate.
- Filing an opposition on behalf of a pharmaceutical company to protect its flagship wellness product.
- Managing the firm’s copyright practice, including registrations for:
(i) A literary work by a senior academic,
(ii) An agricultural article authored by an industry expert, and
(iii) Over a hundred design registrations for a well‑known fashion entrepreneur.
Mario also handles patent applications for innovators and institutions, including technology start‑ups, major Philippine corporations, and leading universities. His portfolio includes national phase entries and complex patent prosecution work.
He advises international clients which research institutions and private companies. His global training, an LL.M. from UC Berkeley School of Law, an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics, and dual licensure in the Philippines and the United States, equips him to navigate sophisticated, cross‑jurisdictional IP issues.
Academic Roles and Thought Leadership
Mario is deeply engaged in legal education. He serves as Assistant Professor and Academic Program Director of the Master in International Business Law program at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). Mario also servee asa Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines, College of Law
Research, Advocacy, and International Engagement
Mario’s research focuses on the intersection of IP, public policy, and human rights. His publications include:
- A co‑authored article on pharmaceutical patent rights and the right to health, published in an international peer‑reviewed journal.
- Articles on indigenous IP rights and global COVID‑19 vaccine access, published on a leading IP policy platform.
- A study on Philippine geographical indications, published by the Japan Patent Office.
He has represented the Philippines in advanced international IP training programs in South Korea and Japan, hosted by global IP institutions. Locally, he has been invited to Congressional hearings on the Creative Industries Act, contributing insights on strengthening IP protection for Filipino creators.
Commitment to IP Advancement
Across his practice, teaching, and policy work, Mario champions stronger IP protection for creators, innovators, and businesses. His career reflects a clear mission: to elevate the IP landscape in the Philippines and empower stakeholders across diverse industries.
Harry Gwynn Omar M. Fernan, JD
Harry is a seasoned Intellectual Property lawyer with deep experience across trademark and patent prosecution, copyright protection, IP litigation, and cross‑border portfolio management. His practice covers Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications, Patent Prosecution Highway filings, Madrid Protocol trademark applications, foreign IP prosecution, and data privacy complianc, making him a trusted adviser to innovators, creators, and global businesses.
Trademark, Patent, and Copyright Expertise
At his firm, Harry has led teams in securing major victories for clients across diverse industries. He headed the team that successfully opposed multiple trademark applications filed by a Philippine distributor against a multinational agricultural biotechnology company. The Intellectual Property Office ruled in favor of Harry’s client, protecting the company’s brand presence across its global markets.
Harry also leads the firm’s defense of a fast‑growing international financial technology company in a trademark opposition filed by a major global sports organization. With the client’s platform serving tens of millions of users worldwide, the matter carries significant commercial impact. Harry’s team filed a comprehensive Verified Answer addressing allegations of confusing similarity and continues to advise on global settlement negotiations, including the review of coexistence terms for Philippine compliance.
He also manages trademark portfolios for international clients in sectors such as food, energy, sports, construction, and manufacturing. His successful registrations include marks for companies based in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe, strengthening their brand protection in the Philippine market.
High‑Stakes Enforcement and Litigation
Before founding his firm, Harry practiced at one of the Philippines’ largest law firms, where he contributed to landmark IP disputes involving major multinational corporations. He was part of the team that concluded a high‑profile, multi‑year trademark dispute between two of the world’s largest consumer goods companies. He also successfully defended a global pharmaceutical company in a trademark opposition filed by another multinational agrochemical corporation.
Harry has been involved in significant IP enforcement actions, including:
- Handling the execution of search and seizure warrants against a foreign real estate data company whose Philippine‑based contractors were found to be infringing copyrighted materials. The enforcement action contributed to a substantial settlement in the United States.
- Supporting the criminal prosecution of sellers of counterfeit tobacco products on behalf of a major international tobacco company.
- Leading enforcement efforts for a major Philippine fashion retailer, including securing search warrants and conducting coordinated operations against online sellers of counterfeit goods.
Corporate and In‑House Experience
Harry previously joined a major Philippine conglomerate, where he handled IP and litigation matters for its real estate and investment subsidiaries. He was part of the team that defended the company’s trademark application for a key real estate brand against opposition filed by one of the country’s largest mall operators.
He then served as in‑house counsel for one of the largest technology companies in the world, where he handled complex contracting, compliance, and intellectual property matters. This experience gave him a deep understanding of how global companies manage risk, protect innovation, and scale operations, which insights he now brings to his clients in his firm.
Advocacy, Research, and Support for Local Innovators
Beyond practice, Harry is a strong advocate for the protection of Filipino inventors, artists, and creators. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physics, he understands the challenges faced by local scientists and innovators and actively assists them in securing timely and effective IP protection.
He regularly writes on emerging IP issues for international journals, global IP platforms, and national publications which help raise awareness on the importance of IP protection in a country where scientific and creative industries continue to grow.
Commitment to IP Protection
Across enforcement, prosecution, litigation, and advocacy, Harry’s work reflects a clear mission: to empower innovators, creators, and businesses by safeguarding their intellectual property and strengthening their competitive advantage in the Philippines and beyond.