Claire Smith > Bristows LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Bristows LLP houses a ‘truly exceptional‘ practice which assists clients with the full gamut of commercial, regulatory and IP-related issues. Liz Cohen co-leads the team with Richard Dickinson; Cohen has longstanding expertise in multi-jurisdictional litigation concerning patent revocations, and arbitrations, and Dickinson has in-depth knowledge of biochemistry, often assisting pharmaceutical companies with licensing and manufacturing agreements. Using her in-house experience in the medical device industry, Claire Smith has deep knowledge of licensing and commercial partnership agreements. Brian Cordery ‘goes above and beyond‘ when acting in contentious IP issues, including patent revocation and defence work, while Robert Burrows utilises his knowledge of molecular biology to advise clients on patent validity challenges. Matthew Warren is noted for his commercial expertise, often handling settlements and license agreements, and Marek Petecki regularly assists biopharma corporates and venture capital investors with transactional matters. Alex Denoon has ‘excellent regulatory knowledge‘, often advising disruptive technology clients on human tissue and genomics issues.

Praised by clients as an ‘extremely experienced and very well-established’ team, Bristows LLP’s one-stop shop is notable for its capabilities in handling technology, life science and consumer products. The team is involved in cutting-edge work in SEP/FRAND cases, alongside pharmaceuticals, including important biologics and antibodies cases. On the transactional side, the team routinely handles IP deals including settlements, high value research collaboration and licensing deals, and IP aspects of corporate and JV transactions. Andrew Bowler and Myles Jelf jointly lead the patent litigation practice, the former is well-versed in coordinating global litigation and the latter is noted for his expertise in telecommunication and high tech matters. Matthew Warren leads the transactional side of the practice, his most notable work includes a landmark research collaboration and licence agreement between Oxford University Innovation and AstraZeneca. Claire Smith is another name to note on the transactional side. Liz Cohen’s strengths lie in the realm of life sciences, while James Boon is sought after by clients in the telecoms and high-tech sectors. Other patent litigation specialists include Gemma Barrett, Richard Pinckney, Robert Burrows, Dominic Adair and Brian Cordery.

Known for its life sciences, pharma and engineering expertise, the team at Bristows LLP is praised by clients for its depth of commercial knowledge and ‘impeccable service‘. Wielding specialist proficiency in regulatory issues such as intellectual property rights, competition and tax law, and data protection, the group are able to handle the full range of commercial issues – regularly cross border – for an expanding range of sectors, including sport, media and entertainment, food and beverage, and luxury fashion. Leveraging his medical background to advise on mandates such as SynaptixBio’s licence agreement with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and The Francis Crick Institute’s partnership Adendra Therapeutics, the highly-experienced Matthew Warren heads the team and has a wide portfolio of multi-jurisdictional commercial matters. Claire Smith is a go-to for supply and distribution agreements and also possesses strong a strong knowledge of the life science and pharmaceutical industries along with Richard Dickinson, who has a biochemistry background. Paul Jordan is recommended for marketing and brand protection mandates, while Ellen Lambrix, who was promoted to partner this year, has a broad practice that encompasses trade mark licensing, clinical trial agreements, and manufacturing arrangements.