Joel Smith > Hogan Lovells International LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile
Hogan Lovells International LLP Offices
ATLANTIC HOUSE
HOLBORN VIADUCT
LONDON
EC1A 2FG
England
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Joel Smith
Work Department
Intellectual Property
Position
Partner
Career
Joel works with clients to protect, commercialize and enforce rights in innovation, whether through their brands, creative works, or technology. He focuses his practice upon IP litigation and also IP in the context of global transactions and commercial IP arrangements, with over 25 years of experience across both contentious and non-contentious IP, including heavyweight trial, deal, and counselling roles.
As a seasoned IP litigator, he has acted in IP disputes in the IPEC, High Court, Court of Appeal, and Privy Council, particularly concerning trademarks, GIs, copyright, designs, database rights, trade secrets, and confidential information. He advises clients strategically, with a view to achieving a mutually satisfactory commercial resolution, often without the need for litigation. He focuses upon key industry sectors, particularly FMCG, media, technology, life sciences, agribusiness, financial services, automotive, and energy. He also advises upon advertising and allied regulatory issues.
Joel is a leader in M&A transactions, projects, and other major commercial IP arrangements in which IP plays a pivotal role, particularly complex collaborations, research partnerships, licensing, and technology transfer. He has significant experience in Agri and plant biotech involving plant breeders’ rights, patents, royalty-collection schemes, and GMOs.
Joel joins from heading the UK IP team in another global law firm, with experience spent in Hong Kong, Milan, and Sydney.
Described by World Trademark Law Review as “an IP expert at the top his game,” Chambers recognizes him as a “thoughtful and strategic litigator,” while Legal 500 says he has “an encyclopedic knowledge of IP and whilst ruthless in litigation matters, is extremely calm, considered and reassuring.”
Memberships
Freeman of City of London Solicitors’ Company
Education
Conversion Law Course, University of Sydney, 2015
Diploma in Advocacy, Nottingham University, 2000
Diploma in Intellectual Property Law, University of Bristol, 1997
L.P.C., College of Law, Guildford, 1994
B.A./M.A., Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, 1993
Lawyer Rankings
London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: patents (contentious and non-contentious)
The ‘amazing’ Hogan Lovells International LLP maintains a strong practice in pan-European patent litigation strategy alongside a strong transactional practice. The team is helmed ‘force of nature’ Paul Brown, who is sought out by clients for his expertise in patent-related disputes in the electronics and medical devices sector. ‘Superb’ Stephen Bennett is also in high demand with pharma companies for his considerable experience in handling disputes. Another notable name is Joel Smith, who has strengths in both contentious and non-contentious matters, with a niche expertise in plant variety protection and regulation. Patent litigator Daniel Brook routinely undertakes cross-border pharma litigation, notably representing Eli Lilly in a dispute regarding its cancer drug pemetrexed. Katie McConnell is noted for her expertise in the telecoms and pharma fields, while Stella Wong focuses on medical device, pharmaceutical and biotechnology patents, balancing her legal practice with her work as a doctor. Counsels Emma Fulton and Dominic Hoar are also recommended.
London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design
(Leading individuals)Praised for its ‘timely, accurate and sound advice’, Hogan Lovells International LLP counts household name brands in its client roster, advising on various UK prosecution matters, as well as managing global trade mark portfolios. The practice is well-versed in handling matters arising from the telecoms and automotive sectors. ‘Expert’ Joel Smith, who is reputed for his work on high-profile disputes, IP contractual matters and IP-rich transactions, jointly leads the team alongside Sahira Khwaja, who spearheads the firm’s brands practice, conducting numerous trade mark infringement and portfolio matters for luxury brands in particular. Commended for her ‘excellent client management skills’, senior associate Emily Sharkey is another key contact in the group.
Lawyer Rankings
- Intellectual property: patents (contentious and non-contentious) London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
- Leading individuals London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design
- Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Public sector > Administrative and public law
- Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail
- Corporate and commercial > Commercial contracts
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium
- Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers
- Real estate > Commercial property: development
- Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Fintech
- Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: civil
- Projects, energy and natural resources > Infrastructure: Project finance and development
- Insurance > Insurance: corporate and regulatory
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: patents (contentious and non-contentious)
- Industry focus > Emerging markets
- Industry focus > Emerging markets
- Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare
- Investment fund formation and management > Listed funds
- Employment > Pensions (non-contentious)
- Employment > Pensions: dispute resolution
- Insurance > Product liability: defendant
- Real estate > Property litigation
- Finance > Trade finance
Firm Rankings
- Real estate > Commercial property: investment
- Dispute resolution > Competition litigation
- Real estate > Construction: contentious
- Real estate > Construction: non-contentious
- Risk advisory > Corporate governance
- Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax
- Finance > Derivatives and structured products
- Corporate and commercial > EU and competition
- Corporate and commercial > Financial services: contentious
- Industry focus > Hospitality and leisure
- Projects, energy and natural resources > Infrastructure: M&A and acquisition financing
- Dispute resolution > International arbitration
- Projects, energy and natural resources > Oil and gas
- Insurance > Professional negligence
- Real estate > Property finance
- Investment fund formation and management > Real estate funds
- Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates)
- Finance > Securitisation
- Finance > Transport finance and leasing
- Finance > Acquisition finance
- Transport > Aviation
- Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans
- Finance > Debt capital markets
- Industry focus > Emerging markets
- Employment > Employee share schemes
- Corporate and commercial > Equity capital markets – mid-large cap
- Corporate and commercial > EU and competition: trade, WTO anti-dumping and customs
- Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory
- Employment > Health and safety
- Finance > High yield
- Insurance > Insurance and reinsurance litigation
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design
- Projects, energy and natural resources > Mining and minerals
- Real estate > Planning
- Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £250m)
- Dispute resolution > Public international law
- Transport > Rail
- Dispute resolution > Tax litigation and investigations
- Corporate and commercial > VAT and indirect tax
- Projects, energy and natural resources > Water
- Investment fund formation and management > Fund finance
- Projects, energy and natural resources > Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables)
- Investment fund formation and management > Private funds
- Employment > Employers
- Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals)
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
- Corporate and commercial > M&A: Upper Mid-Market And Premium Deals, £750m+
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport
- Corporate and commercial > Equity capital markets – small-mid cap
- Insurance > Insurance litigation: for policyholders