Penny Powell > Hogan Lovells International LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

The ‘very strong‘ team at Hogan Lovells International LLP assists a varied client base consisting of healthcare, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies with bet-the-company cases and large licensing transactions. Practice co-head Jane Summerfield has vast regulatory expertise spanning clinical trials to reimbursement issues, with particular emphasis on gene therapies and digital health software. Described as ‘Mr. Realistic‘ by clients, patent litigator and co-head Stephen Bennett regularly assists clients with the defence of patents and supplementary certificate rights, while co-head Matthew Felwick is ‘very technical‘ and has deep knowledge surrounding product liability, often acting in group actions and coroner’s inquests. Rated by clients as ‘one of the best life science lawyers in the industry‘, Penny Powell has extensive expertise in M&A and partnering transactions, and counsel Elise Martin is noted for her experience in assisting clients with international regulation and commercial disputes. Having been promoted to partner in January 2023, Stella Wong utilises her medical background to act in disputes concerning biotec, pharmaceutical, and medical device patents.

Hogan Lovells International LLP has invested heavily in its dedicated, global commercial practice, which includes a strong regulatory offering which has particular strength in the technology, life sciences and biochemical sectors. Beyond a significant list of pharma players in its client roster, the group are frequently engaged by leading sporting, automotive, transport, financial services and food and drink entities, advising on sponsorship and partnership agreements, trademark licensing and supply agreements, as well as outsourcing and distribution arrangements. The firm are enjoying continued work with the British Paralympics, a relationship that started on a pro bono basis, and has led team head Richard Welfare to act on the sponsorship, logistics, hotel and hub site agreements in preparation for the Paris Games in 2024. An experienced practitioner well-versed in advising high profile events, campaigns and individuals, Welfare leads the group alongside the ‘brilliant’ Penny Powell who has been the key player in the group’s ever expanding pharmaceutical and life sciences mandates. John Salmon spearheads the firm’s IT and tech offering, with far-reaching expertise that encompasses blockchain initiatives and NFTs, whilst counsel Oliver Wilson has a strong, established relationship with Sport England, as well as being at the forefront of the group’s content platform work. Counsel Louise Crawford is a go-to for regulatory and data advice.

Sponsorship and partnership agreements for sponsors, competition rights holders and team competitors across football, golf, F1 and the Paralympics are frequent mandates for Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s interdisciplinary sports team. Richard Welfare, who heads up the practice, is regularly supported by IP and TMT specialist Sahira Khwaja. Penny Powell is a name to note for motorsport-related M&A instructions, while head of the real estate practice Daniel Norris is also a key contact.