United Kingdom > London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property
Index of tables
Intellectual property
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- Addleshaw Goddard LLP
- Ashurst LLP
- Baker Botts (UK) LLP
- Blake Lapthorn
- Brown Rudnick LLP
- Briffa
- Charles Russell LLP
- Clifford Chance
- Collyer Bristow LLP
- D Young & Co LLP
- Davenport Lyons
- Dechert LLP
- Edwin Coe LLP
- Eversheds LLP
- Farrer & Co
- Fasken Martineau LLP
- Fox Williams LLP
- Jones Day
- Hansel Henson LLP
- K&L Gates
- Kemp Little LLP
- Latham & Watkins LLP
- Lawrence Graham LLP
- Laytons
- Macfarlanes LLP
- Manches LLP
- Mayer Brown International LLP
- Penningtons Solicitors LLP
- PriceWaterhouseCoopers Legal LLP
- Shearman & Sterling LLP
- Speechly Bircham LLP
- Stephenson Harwood
- Wallace LLP
- Waterfront Solicitors
- Wedlake Bell LLP
- Wiggin LLP
Leading individuals
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- Robert Anderson Hogan Lovells International LLP
- Ray Black SJ Berwin LLP
- Simon Cohen Taylor Wessing LLP
- Trevor Cook Bird & Bird
- Giles Crown Lewis Silkin LLP
- Nicola Dagg Allen & Overy LLP
- Marc Döring Simmons & Simmons
- Dominic Farmsworth Lewis Silkin LLP
- Rowan Freeland Simmons & Simmons
- Gordon Harris Wragge & Co LLP
- Mark Hodgson Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP
- Nick Gardner Herbert Smith LLP
- Penny Gilbert Powell Gilbert LLP
- Gregor Grant Marks & Clerk Solicitors LLP
- Colleen Keck Allen & Overy LLP
- Simon Levine DLA Piper UK LLP
- Morag Macdonald Bird & Bird
- Roland Mallinson Taylor Wessing LLP
- Avril Martindale Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
- Kevin Mooney Simmons & Simmons
- Helen Newman Olswang
- Edward Nodder Bristows
- John Olsen Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP
- Mark Owen Harbottle & Lewis LLP
- Tim Powell Powell Gilbert LLP
- David Rose SJ Berwin LLP
- Nick Rose Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP
- Niri Shan Taylor Wessing LLP
- Michael Skrein Reed Smith
- Harry Small Baker & McKenzie LLP
- Diana Sternfeld Rouse Legal
- Paul Walsh Bristows
- David Wilson Herbert Smith LLP
Market leader Bird & Bird is recommended for its ‘solid strength in depth and excellent response times’, and the ‘undoubtedly high quality of its advice’. Morag Macdonald, who won a major patent dispute for Norwegian oil service company EMGS in the Court of Appeal, and Katharine Stephens, who represented Associated Newspapers in a trade mark infringement case, co-head the team. Soft IP partner Peter Brownlow’s clients include The Football Association and Nordic Spirit. Jane Mutimear represented easyGroup IP Licensing, owner of the trade marks and branding for the ‘easy’ group of companies, and is acting for Nokia in patent actions in the UK, Germany and Italy. The ‘excellent’ Sally Shorthose handles transactional IP mandates for Global Dawn and Ceravision. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Phil Sherrell from Eversheds LLP, who is representing the UK Media Monitoring Association. Patent litigators Mark Hilton and Patrick Kelleher are also recommended.
Led by litigator Nicola Dagg, who is recommended for her ‘detailed industry knowledge’, Allen & Overy LLP’s ‘highly competent’ IP team recently recruited nine additional associates. Together with Huw Evans, Dagg is acting for Novartis in a pan-European patent dispute relating to blockbuster sight-saving drug Lucentis. She is also representing Research In Motion in trade mark issues, and UBS in a copyright infringement case. Neville Cordell, who is ‘good at running a complex case’, is advising eBay on its submissions to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on liability for trade mark infringements by individual users. Non-contentious IP specialists Jim Ford and Colleen Keck are advising on the establishment of IP trust structures relating to the Baring Point insolvency. New client wins include Electronic Arts, Thomson Reuters and BSkyB.
Bristows’ large, dedicated IP team is led by the ‘highly regarded’ Edward Nodder, who is representing Siemens against Seagate Technology in Northern Ireland’s first significant patent infringement case. Recognised for its scientific and technical expertise, the group undertakes commercial IP work in the life sciences, telecoms and new media sectors. Philip Westmacott and Sally Field represented Smith & Nephew in five patent proceedings; and trade mark litigator Paul Walsh is advising L’Oréal against eBay on issues that have been referred to the CJEU. Fiona Nicolson, Laura Anderson and Brian Cordery are also recommended.
Herbert Smith LLP’s seven-partner team is led by Nick Gardner and is commended for its ‘excellent industry knowledge, and technical and commercial skills’. Mark Shillitto advised easyJet Airline Company against easyGroup UK; Joel Smith, who ‘goes the extra mile to reach agreement’, successfully represented Rockwool in the High Court in a comparative advertising dispute; and Sophie Rich, Sebastian Moore and David Wilson are advising longstanding client Abbott on patent-related matters. Recently promoted partner Andrew Moir impresses with his ‘professionalism and excellent results’.
Robert Anderson heads Hogan Lovells International LLP’s ‘strong team of exceptional lawyers’. Daniel Brook and ‘rising star in the patent field’ Paul Brown were recently promoted to partner. The group draws on the firm’s international capabilities to handle multi-jurisdictional matters. ‘Brilliant litigator’ Stephen Bennett, who is ‘creative, pragmatic and a pleasure to work with’, represented mobile phone manufacturer HTC in patent litigation; and David Latham is representing Mattel in a long-running dispute with the creators of Facebook’s Scrabulous.
IP litigation boutique Powell Gilbert LLP has an ‘impressively hardworking, knowledgeable team’. Tim Powell is ‘assertive and determined, with excellent judgement and common sense’; Penny Gilbert, who represents Napp Pharmaceuticals, is ‘calm and confident, with great client care skills’; ‘assured litigator’ Anna Carboni ‘brings great experience in trade mark litigation’; and Ari Laakkonen ‘knows the telecoms world inside out’, and is defending Nokia against a worldwide patent infringement action. The ‘capable and assured’ Zoë Butler is also recommended.
Simmons & Simmons’ team is acting for Bayer HealthCare and Bayer Schering Pharma in three high-profile cases through its integrated UK, German, Dutch and Italian offices. Rowan Freeland and Scott Parker are ‘a tremendous litigation duo’, and Marc Döring has ‘excellent communication skills, and understands what the client needs’. Adrian Smith and David Stone head the trade mark filing team, which represents Bacardi and Coca-Cola. New client wins include Procter & Gamble, Ascendis Pharma and British American Tobacco. The ‘committed, thorough, proactive’ team was boosted by the arrival of Marjan Noor from Howrey LLP.
Taylor Wessing LLP has pan-European and cross-jurisdictional strength, and is recommended for its ‘excellent, prompt service and value for money’. Niri Shan heads the soft IP practice, which has particular expertise in colour marks, recently obtaining a trade mark registration for Tiffany. ‘Respected for his expertise and professionalism’, Roland Mallinson leads a substantial trade mark filing practice with Jason Rawkins; clients include KPMG. Patent litigator Simon Cohen successfully represented Abbott, and James Marshall is representing Generics UK. The team’s transactional and VC work includes advising Vifor Pharma and Lime Microsystems. Clients also recommend the ‘proactive, precise’ Timothy Pinto. Richard Price joined Winston & Strawn London, and Chris Thornham joined from SJ Berwin LLP.
Wragge & Co LLP’s team is led by the ‘impressive’ Gordon Harris, who is supported by the firm’s ‘broad and deep European expertise’. The ‘excellent’ Nick Cunningham ‘brings experience, technical expertise, and client commitment’, and represented Unilever in successfully preventing the BNP from using the Marmite brand in its election campaign. ‘Seasoned, ethical’ IP litigator David Barron has ‘great judgement’, and Patrick Duxbury handles non-contentious work, recently advising PanGenetics in a cross-border sale to Abbott. Alex Brodie also wins praise from clients. IP litigator Paul Inman joined from Howrey LLP.
The ‘completely dedicated’ Michael Hart leads Baker & McKenzie LLP’s team. Clients commend its ‘adaptability, and the quality of its opinions’. The firm’s international footprint supports global clients including Unilever, Nokia and Abbott, and Hart advised Meltwater News in the High Court, and in its (unsuccessful) appeal against the landmark High Court decision that a headline can qualify for copyright protection. Clients recommend Paul Rawlinson and Peter O’Byrne for their trade mark expertise. Ben Allgrove and Michelle Blunt were recently promoted to partner.
Clients consider DLA Piper UK LLP’s team ‘more responsive and solution-oriented than many of its competitors’. Global IP head Simon Levine secured a landmark High Court ruling in favour of the English and Scottish professional football leagues and Football DataCo. Bonella Ramsay, who handles non-contentious work for Pfizer, is ‘particularly strong in negotiating complex deals’. Clients include HSBC Group. Siân Croxon and Ruth Hoy also win plaudits.
The recruitment of former Howrey LLP IP litigator Mark Hodgson was a significant boost to Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s practice. Hodgson is representing Eli Lilly in the first patent litigation case in the Supreme Court. Other highlights included practice head Nick Rose handling major trade mark litigation for Google; Rebecca Swindells acting for Viacom in two High Court trade mark disputes; and the team’s successful representation of Elvis Presley Enterprises against an Italian record producer. It also acts for CKx in Europe, and strengthened its European offering through the opening of new offices in Munich and Düsseldorf.
Marks & Clerk Solicitors LLP’s team is ‘quick to act, and displays a thorough subject knowledge’. Patent litigator William Cook successfully represented agricultural machinery manufacturer Grimme in the Court of Appeal in a landmark case concerning contributory infringement. Cook is also acting for Virgin Media in the patent appeal by Gemstar-TV Guide. Senior partner Mark Blair is acting alongside Kirsten Gilbert for Czech brewer Budejovický Budvar in its long-running trade mark dispute with Anheuser-Busch. Michael Gilbert, who is advising MedImmune in a dispute with Novartis, and Graham Burnett-Hall are also singled out for praise.
Mishcon de Reya achieves a ‘good balance between proactive, reactive and negotiation’ when dealing with trade mark filing and infringement. Jeremy Hertzog advises Pfizer on its anti-counterfeiting strategy, and Martyn Hann handles patent litigation, focusing on life sciences and oil and gas, and non-contentious IP work. Hertzog and Simon Tracey, who heads the trade mark filing practice, handle soft IP litigation for Prada, Lacoste, Speedo and Christian Louboutin. Adam Morallee is representing Gucci in trade mark litigation.
At Olswang, joint IP head Paul Stevens is defending Absolute Radio against a trade mark infringement and passing-off action brought by the makers of Absolut Vodka, while Stevens is representing ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 in a high-profile copyright case, and Yahoo! against the Premier League in the CJEU. Patent clients include Microsoft, CSR and GSK. David Zeffman is also singled out for praise. Patent litigator Campbell Forsyth joined from Forsyth Simpson. The firm also has an in-house patent filing practice, led by Dr Robert Stephen, and trade mark filing expertise.
Specialist IP firm Redd ‘holds its own against much larger firms’. Sara Ashby successfully represented Boegli-Gravures in a patent infringement action. Commercial partner Simon Chalkley is recommended for his brand licensing expertise. Clients include Square Enix, Honeywell, Thermos and GlaxoSmithKline. ‘Hugely experienced’ IP litigator Charters Macdonald-Brown is also recommended.
‘Hardworking, service-orientated’ team head Jeremy Drew at Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP is advising Sports Direct regarding the Lonsdale sports/fashion brand, and new client Champagne Louis Roederer in a trade mark infringement action. David Cran, ‘a savvy litigator with excellent client skills’, is representing lastminute.com. The team was boosted by the arrival of Clive Thorne from Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP.
Led by Karen Fong, Rouse Legal’s ‘energetic young team’ is representing The Scotch Whisky Association in a passing-off action, and Diageo in the VODKAT case. It is particularly rated for its ‘superb analytical skills’. Diana Sternfeld heads the life sciences group, which includes patent litigator Richard Willoughby. Arty Rajendra is ‘responsive, commercial and a pleasure to deal with’, and together with Jeremy Newman acts for Nokia and Sony Ericsson. Luke Minford transferred to London from Rouse in China.
SJ Berwin LLP’s team is valued for its ‘practical, timely responses and impressive industry knowledge’. Recent work for Ray Black includes acting for Ranbaxy in a pharmaceutical patent case against AstraZeneca, and he also successfully represented Nintendo in a case concerning avoidance of copy-protection devices. David Rose successfully represented BSkyB and Sky against Microsoft and Skype. The group handles commercial IP work for major corporations, recently advising Lion Capital on its acquisition of All Saints. Jeremy Schrire is ‘a great source of valuable advice’. Sandoz is another significant client.
Slaughter and May handles IP-driven transactions for leading brands as well as providing standalone IP advice. Susie Middlemiss advised Diageo on its proposed acquisition of Mey Icki, the leading Turkish spirits company. Cathy Connolly advised Unilever on the IP aspects of its €672m sale of Sanex to Colgate-Palmolive, and the purchase from Colgate-Palmolive of its laundry detergent brands in Colombia. Transactional IP partner David Ives is appreciated for his ‘detailed knowledge and commercial advice’.
Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP provides ‘in-depth knowledge’ and ‘value for money’. IP head Ian Kirby and ‘excellent relationship partner’ Richard Dickinson advised easyGroup on the licensing of various ‘easy’ trade marks to easyJet. Dickinson and Jonathan Day handle Philip Morris International’s worldwide trade mark clearance, filing and opposition work. Patent litigators David Perkins and Christopher Stothers represented Danisco against Novozymes. Jake Marshall is also ‘strongly recommended’.
Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s team head Simon Clark successfully represented the Newspaper Licensing Agency against Meltwater, with the decision recently upheld in the Court of Appeal. Ian De Freitas acted for Vivian Imerman in the notorious Tchenguiz case concerning the downloading of documents.
At CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, recently promoted partner Tom Scourfield, whose clients include Nestlé, and Nick Beckett, successfully represented Eagle Technologies in the High Court. Beckett also acted for Takeda and Japan Tobacco. Commercial IP partner Sarah Hanson specialises in non-contentious agreements for biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device clients Pfizer and Abbott. Colgate-Palmolive is another high-profile client. Isabel Davies moved to Boyes Turner, while Jeremy Morton joined the team from Fasken Martineau LLP.
Covington & Burling LLP handles complex licensing, patent and trade mark work. Lisa Peets advises technology and e-commerce clients Microsoft and the Business Software Alliance, and Morag Peberdy focuses on trade mark matters and transactional support.
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP’s John Olsen acts for one of the world’s most famous consumer electronics companies, and Nick Bolter advises a leading online retailer. Ben Goodger, former head of Rouse Legal’s global IP commercialisation group, and consultant Spyros Maniatis joined the team. Life sciences specialist John Lloyd was promoted to partner. The strong trade mark filing practice advised Mastercard International, Tumi and Xerox.
Led by the ‘committed, responsive’ Richard Lister, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘world-class, hardworking’ team excels in corporate and contentious IP matters. Avril Martindale is advising China-based Geely on IP issues following its acquisition of Volvo, and patent litigator Justin Watts successfully represented Johnson & Johnson in patent litigation involving contact lenses. Andrew Craig was promoted to partner.
At Harbottle & Lewis LLP, team head Mark Owen is representing LucasFilm in the first IP case to be referred to the Supreme Court. Shireen Peermohamed advised FIFA on brand protection for itself and its partners concerning the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Trade mark attorney Rebecca Davis is ‘highly organised, practical and helpful’, and Adam Mitton was promoted to partner.
The ‘highly recommended’ Giles Crown and his team at Lewis Silkin LLP are acting for The Automobile Association in a comparative advertising dispute with Green Flag. Dual-qualified trade mark attorney Dominic Farnsworth and trade mark litigator Simon Chapman act for major advertising agency networks and global brands, including Bacardi. Simon Morrissey advises global brands on data protection. Arsenal FC is a new client.
Linklaters LLP provides ‘excellent commercial legal advice’, handling complex instructions from global clients. Ian Karet negotiated the settlement of the dispute between Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and easyJet. Patent litigator Nigel Jones is acting for Janssen-Cilag in a patent revocation action. ‘First-class’ soft IP partner Benedict Bird provides ‘invaluable guidance’.
Clients praise the ‘quality and timeliness’ of McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP’s ‘superb’ team. Much of its IP litigation is life sciences related, with Hiroshi Sheraton and Gary Moss advising Amgen and Cibavision. The ‘approachable, knowledgeable’ Rohan Massey, who focuses on commercial IP, advised online casino business 32Red in a major trade mark infringement dispute. New clients include thetrainline.com and Under Armour. Patent litigator Justin Hill moved in-house.
Nabarro LLP’s ‘top-flight’ team is headed by Guy Heath, who wins praise for his ‘excellent negotiation skills, subject matter expertise and practical business results’, and handles trade mark infringement work for Levi Strauss. New clients include Abbott Laboratories. The ‘efficient, capable’ Louise Gellman and Eesheta Shah are also singled out for praise.
Norton Rose LLP’s team ‘goes the extra mile to keep the client happy’, and saw an increase in brand enforcement work in 2010. Jonathan Ball, who ‘manages complex problems calmly and efficiently’, is representing RBS subsidiary Green Flag. Mike Knapper, commended for his ‘technical excellence’, advised the European Commission on the IP aspects of technology and knowledge-sharing obligations regarding the NER300 funding programme, which supports renewable energy projects.
Osborne Clarke’s Theo Savvides is advising News International on issues arising from its introduction of a paywall, and Marks & Spencer in the Google AdWords case. Transactional work included assisting Toni & Guy in splitting its core brands into separate salon and hair-care businesses. The team also saw an increase in cleantech instructions. Tom Harding joined from Olswang.
Pinsent Masons LLP’s team was strengthened by the arrival of patent litigator Clare Tunstall and her team from Roiter Zucker Solicitors. Iain Connor, who is representing Interflora in the Google AdWords case at the ECJ, is advising 123 Närhmittel in the defence of an action brought by Hasbro for infringement of its ‘Play Doh’ trade marks. The ‘knowledgeable and commercially aware’ Kim Walker handles non-contentious IP work for clients including Waitrose and Jack Wills.
Carolyn Pepper and Emma Lenthall jointly head the ‘first-class’ IP team at Reed Smith. Litigator Michael Skrein, who advises on trade mark infringement and passing off, is a ‘piercingly perceptive and powerful negotiator who can completely outclass the other side’s legal team’. Louise Berg is ‘a pleasure to work with and a talent to watch’. Copyright expert Stephen Edwards was nominated by the UK government and selected by the Council of Europe to participate in the preparation of a treaty for the protection of the rights of broadcasting organisations.
SNR Denton’s team has ‘strength at all levels of seniority’, and the firm’s recent merger has given the London IP practice access to international resources and clients. The ‘effective, competent’ John Linneker acted in a high-profile dispute relating to the Lotus brand and, together with ‘extremely thorough’ patent litigator Anthony Trenton, represented Schütz in patent infringement cases in the Court of Appeal and the High Court. Commercial IP partner Scott Singer, who heads the TMT sector group, advised Sainsbury on its banking operations. Anna Copeman is ‘a future star’.
‘Aggressive, results-driven litigator’ Carl Rohsler heads Squire Sanders Hammonds’ ‘tightly integrated IP and licensing team’. The firm’s recent merger extended the international reach of the group, which represents numerous global luxury brands. ‘Professional, speedy and experienced’ trade mark attorney Chris MacLeod advises Cath Kidston and DAKS, and Mike Butler specialises in e-commerce. Caroline Waite is also singled out for praise.
Led by senior partner Monica Burch, Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s national group handles non-contentious work for brands such as Sainsbury, and advises Primark Stores on contentious IP matters. Clients appreciate its ‘good service and response times’. Emma Armitage is ‘tenacious in following up strong arguments to maximum effect’; and the ‘diligent, commercial’ Jamie Harrison is an ‘excellent, client-focused partner’. Paul Bentham in Manchester handles trade mark matters for Alexander McQueen.
Ashurst LLP closed down its IP litigation department following Ian Starr’s departure to D Young & Co LLP. Non-contentious IP partner Dominic Batchelor handles the IP elements of transactions, notably advising Apax Partners on the $830m Sophos buyout. Practice head Mark Lubbock ‘reduces legal and commercial issues to a level that aids the decision-making process’.
Baker Botts (UK) LLP focuses on the hi-tech, energy and life sciences sectors, and represents Callaway Golf Company, the LEGO Group and Novartis.
The ‘prompt, pragmatic and commercial’ Simon Stokes and his team at Blake Lapthorn advise financial services, higher education and public sector clients on technology and digital media issues.
Richard Penfold’s team at Brown Rudnick LLP is ‘outstanding’ for ‘complex and protracted legal issues’. The team advised Zurich Financial Services, York Barbell Holdings and Gravity International Holdings in relation to the Renault F1 Team.
IP boutique Briffa has expanded its trade mark and design filing practice, and now handles contentious and non-contentious work for over 3,000 trade mark records. Margaret Briffa advised Furminator on its pan-European anti-counterfeiting program.
Charles Russell LLP’s team is led by Patrick Gearon, who successfully represented MMI Research in a High Court patent claim. It was strengthened by the arrival of Mary Bagnall and Ian Wood from Mayer Brown International LLP, and Vanessa Barnett from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.
At Clifford Chance, Vanessa Marsland and her team handle the IP aspects of corporate transactions.
Collyer Bristow LLP’s contentious capability was strengthened by the arrival of litigators Kate Macmillan and Annsley Ward from Gallant Macmillan LLP, while on the non-contentious side Neil Eagleton joined from Silverman Sherliker. Practice head Joe Cohen acted for Italy’s Fabio Perini in a successful patent infringement claim in the Court of Appeal.
The team at D Young & Co LLP, the first firm of patent and trade mark attorneys to establish a Legal Disciplinary Practice (LDP), was joined by ‘seasoned IP litigator’ Ian Starr and former barrister Tamsin Holman from Ashurst LLP. Clients include Rolex, Skechers and Rubik’s Cube.
At Davenport Lyons, Adam Glass advises designers such as William Tempest on trade marks and design rights. Jim Dennis, who joined from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, represented mobile phone distributor Shebang Distribution against Google. Clients include Richemont International and Rude Health Foods. David Marchese is also recommended.
Paul Kavanagh, who is recommended for his ‘commercial acumen’, heads Dechert LLP’s trade mark filing practice. Renzo Marchini, who is praised for his ‘depth and experience’, advised Liz Earle Beauty Co on its partnership with Avon Products.
Simon Miles heads the IP team at Edwin Coe LLP, whose ‘attention to detail and professional advice instils confidence’. The team was strengthened by the hire of Ted Mercer from Taylor Wessing LLP. David Greene’s ‘experience as a litigator is invaluable’.
Eversheds LLP undertakes complex and high-profile trade mark, patent and breach of confidence litigation for Coca-Cola and Chanel, although Phil Sherrell’s move to Bird & Bird is a significant loss. Recently promoted partner Adrian Toutoungi covers patent and technology litigation and advisory work.
Farrer & Co’s ‘small, but strong team’, headed by the ‘clear, fair and commercially minded’ Anthony Misquitta, represents publishing, heritage, culture, and education clients including The Economist, The National Gallery and Age UK. On the corporate side, it is assisting Pilot Drilling Control Ltd in patent entitlement proceedings.
Fasken Martineau LLP’s Ralph Cox, who is ‘totally reassuring – calm and collected’, is representing Omnipharm against Merial in a patent revocation action. Roger Loosley is ‘always calm under pressure’, and is noted for his ‘in-depth, up-to-date knowledge’. Non-contentious IP partner Allistair Booth provides ‘high-quality, pragmatic and useable advice’. Jeremy Morton moved to CMS Cameron McKenna LLP.
At Fox Williams LLP, IP head Simon Bennett is ‘clear, concise, diligent and good value for money’. Together with the ‘quick, keen’ Stephen Sidkin, he undertakes trade mark licensing and other IP work for SuperGroup and the Superdry brand.
Led by Alastair McCulloch, Jones Day’s practice covers patent litigation and soft IP rights, transactional work and trade mark prosecution, and is supported by the firm’s international strength. Of counsel Neil Coulson is ‘intelligent, quick, charming and practical’.
At Hansel Henson LLP, David Hansel and Tom Hensen are ‘well versed in trade mark law’; ‘their skills are complementary and their professional attitude much admired’.
Dominic Bray leads K&L Gates’ ‘responsive, knowledgeable’ team, which ‘provides appropriate advice and value for money’, and represents WWE, PA Sport and Novatel Wireless, as well as new clients FTSE and HTC. Warren Phelops handles international sports-related transactional IP matters for Puma and the West Indies Cricket Board. Patent litigator Rebecca Halford-Harrison won significant new work.
Kemp Little LLP’s team is led by the ‘practical, commercial’ Paul Garland, whose ‘advice is sound and easy to follow’. The arrival of Paul Hinton from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP enhanced the team’s commercial IP capabilities. The firm is particularly strong in the technology and financial services sectors, with clients including SITA, LOVEFiLM International and new clients Sumitomo Corporation and Chi-X Europe.
At Latham & Watkins LLP, ‘strong, decisive, and highly intelligent’ group head Laurence Cohen impresses with his ability to ‘develop critical strategy’. He is part of an international team advising the Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee. Gail Crawford undertakes non-contentious IP work.
Georgie Collins and her team at Lawrence Graham LLP ‘understand trade mark protection, and can explain it clearly and concisely’. It is representing Leofelis in a long-running dispute concerning the Lonsdale brand. Anna Huxster ‘punches above her weight’, and Rebecca Costen is ‘highly organised and sensible’.
At Laytons, ‘excellent, meticulous’ team head Esther Gunaratnam handles multi-jurisdictional matters, and Richard Harrison and Russell Beard handle trade mark disputes.
Macfarlanes LLP’s group head Geoff Steward is ‘extremely experienced, capable, thorough and enthusiastic’. Rupert Casey handles licensing issues for Anheuser-Busch and Umbro.
Manches LLP’s Margaret Tofalides successfully represented Basilea Pharmaceutica against Johnson & Johnson. Together with Lesley Hall, she represents Liberty Retail and Moss Bros Group.
Mark Prinsley’s team at Mayer Brown International LLP wins plaudits for its ‘clarity, organisation, and brief writing’, and is supported by the firm’s global practice. Recently promoted partner Sangeeta Puran represented Sandvik in patent infringement proceedings, and Sarah Byrt handles commercial transactions. Patent litigator Jonathan Radcliffe, a recent hire from Nabarro LLP, is ‘responsive and savvy to business realities’. Mary Bagnall and Ian Wood joined Charles Russell LLP.
Anna Frankum’s ‘excellent all-round’ team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP specialises in trade mark and copyright work. Clients include Andreas Stihl and Levi Roots. Joanne Vengadesan and Linda Burke are ‘professional, pragmatic and knowledgeable’.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers Legal LLP’s Latika Sharma is ‘adept at boiling down complex situations to the fundamental issues’. Clients include Northern & Shell, and Taylor Wimpey.
Led by Deborah Lincoln, Shearman & Sterling LLP’s ‘prompt, focused team’ is commended for its ‘excellent response times and commercial understanding’. It advises international clients B/E Aerospace, Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corp, and American Sugar Refining Company on non-contentious IP issues.
Speechly Bircham LLP’s team, led by the ‘imaginative and insightful’ Alexander Carter-Silk, successfully defended World Programming Limited against SAS in a software copyright infringement case which has been referred to the ECJ. Louise McAdam joined from Simmons & Simmons.
Lucy Harrold’s team at Stephenson Harwood is ‘responsive and easy to deal with’. Eifion Morris advised Mumbai-based Piramal Healthcare on the $3.72bn sale of its domestic formulations division, and represented Datacard Corporation in High Court patent and trade mark infringement actions.
At Wallace LLP, Matthew Pryke’s ‘extensive knowledge of IP law adds significant value’. He is acting alongside Craig Thompson in trade mark infringement matters for Fine & Country. Other clients include Wayne Hemmingway.
The team at IP and technology boutique Waterfront Solicitors is jointly led by Matthew Harris and Piers Strickland. It ‘takes a pragmatic approach and provides valuable advice succinctly and efficiently’. Clients include appliance manufacturer Kenwood.
Wedlake Bell LLP’s team is led by the ‘commercial, analytical’ Mike Gardner, who successfully represented Which? in the High Court. It also handles Which? Best Buy licensing deals. Jonathan Cornthwaite has ‘an excellent eye for detail’.
At Wiggin LLP, ‘keen, sharp’ litigator Simon Baggs provides ‘expert advice’ on rights protection in the online environment, and recently secured the groundbreaking High Court judgment against the Newzbin website. Shaun Lowde, Adrian Jones and Benedict Headicar are recommended.