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Laurence Ward heads Dundas & Wilson CS LLP’s IP practice, which advises the University of Glasgow’s department of research and enterprise. Its expertise in life sciences attracted new client Aquapharm Biodiscovery.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s ‘outstanding’ IP practice is the ‘first and only stop’ for many clients. The team is acting for DES Operations and Cameron in a patent entitlement and trade secret case in the Court of Session. Practice head Gill Grassie and Alison Bryce, who heads the team’s non-contentious practice, are highly recommended.

McGrigors LLP’s ‘very responsive’ IP team, led by Seona Burnett, handles contentious and non-contentious matters, and ‘continually demonstrates excellent commercial awareness’. It is advising DestiNA Genomics on its spinout from the University of Edinburgh. George Campbell is ‘commercially savvy but easily able to dive into detail’. Jane Cornwell left in 2010 to become an IP law lecturer.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s IP team added several new clients in 2010, including the Medical Research Council, the City of Edinburgh Council, and Khazana, a Japanese mobile phone software company. Paul Carlyle heads the team.

Biggart Baillie LLP provides ‘experienced 
professional advice and domain specialism when 
needed in IPR disputes’. The IP team successfully represented Bayer CropScience in its patent infringement claim against Albaugh in the IP Court of the Court of Session. Colin Miller heads the team and is highly recommended.

Burness LLP’s IP practice is led by David Goodbrand, who is ‘very good technically’. Accredited IP specialist Colin Hulme has a ‘“can-do” attitude’, and is noted for his expertise on the contentious side. New clients include Touch Bionics.

DLA Piper Scotland LLP is increasingly recognised for its IP work, particularly in regenerative medicine. Philippa Montgomerie was promoted to partner, and has ‘both an excellent scientific background and technical competency’. Practice head John McKinlay and Scott Thiel are also recommended.

McClure Naismith LLP’s practice includes two IP accredited specialists, with Euan Duncan the main contact. Clients include McLaren Software Group and Kwik-Fit Insurance.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s Scotland team works as part of the firm’s UK-wide IP practice, and its ‘business acumen and industry knowledge is of an excellent standard; the advice is appropriate’. Chris Martin and David Woods are recommended, and are the main contacts in Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively.

Simon Brown heads the practice at Anderson Strathern, which handles both contentious and non-contentious work.

Brodies LLP fields a ‘very talented team’. Grant Campbell’s ‘influence on the junior members is obvious and reflects his pragmatic approach’; and Douglas Mathie is ‘a safe pair of hands’.

David Wood is the main contact at Lindsays, which handles a number of IP matters for its university client base.

MacRoberts LLP’s team is ‘very innovative in its approach’. David Flint heads the group, and is ‘direct, firm and straight to the point’.

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Legal Developments in the UK

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  • Immigration update May 2012

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