Dr Penny Gilbert > Powell Gilbert LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Powell Gilbert LLP
85 FLEET STREET
LONDON
EC4Y 1AE
England

Work Department

Intellectual property.

Position

Partner specialising in advising on IP rights including patent litigation, licence disputes and freedom-to-operate issues, primarily in life sciences. Particularly experienced in advising on multi-jurisdictional patent litigation strategy. Has represented clients before UK High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, European Patent Office, UK Intellectual Property Office and on references to the CJEU and EFTA court. Solicitor advocate and qualified mediator.

Career

MRC research student 1982-85; Departmental demonstrator, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, Oxford University 1985-86; technical assistant Bristows 1986-87; trained Bristows 1989-91; qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) 1991; partner Bristows 1998; founding partner Powell Gilbert LLP 2007;  Solicitor (Ireland) 2016; UPC Representative 2023.

Memberships

Past president and present advisory board member of European Patent Lawyers Association (EPLAW), AIPPI, LSLA, IPLA, LES, Editorial boards: Bio-Science Law Review, LSIPR and Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice.

Education

Colfox School, Bridport; Brasenose College, Oxford (MA Biochemistry; DPhil Molecular Biology); College of Law, London (CPE; LSF); Bristol University (Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice).

Lawyer Rankings

London > Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare

(Hall of Fame)

Penny GilbertPowell Gilbert LLP

Powell Gilbert LLP is an IP boutique, which houses a ‘truly outstanding‘ team, which handles revocation proceedings, appeals, and disputes concerning patent royalties. Practice head Penny Gilbert utilises her academic background in molecular biology and biochemistry to represent clients before the CJEU and the EFTA court. Tim Powell has vast expertise in the enforcement of patents and injunctions relating to gene sequencing and pre-natal testing. Bethan Hopewell has broad knowledge spanning contractual disputes, damages claims, and infringement proceedings.

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: patents (contentious and non-contentious)

(Hall of Fame)

Penny GilbertPowell Gilbert LLP

Praised by clients for its ‘deep bench’ strength, Powell Gilbert LLP’s expertise spans numerous technical sectors, from pharma and medical devices to telecoms and electronics. The team handles an array of high-profile and complex litigation, two examples being Regeneron v Kymab and Unwired Planet v Huawei. Joint practice head, Penny Gilbert specialises in the life sciences field, which means she is regularly sought out by clients from this sector, while other practice head Simon Ayrton is recommended for his experience in handling heavyweight technical dispute resolution. Tim Powell is well-versed in representing a variety of clients in multijurisdictional patent litigation, with Zoë Butler’s strength in technology-related IP disputes, further bolstering the practice. Bethan Hopewell advises clients on issues arising from international technology standards, patent pools and associated licensing issues. ‘Impressive’ Ari Laakkonen’s broad range of experience encompasses FRAND obligations, licensing disputes, as well as general strategic advice. Peter Damerell specialises routinely assists clients on complex disputes that involve various technologies, with Tim Whitfield recommended for his pharma expertise. Alex Wilson, Siddharth Kusumakar, Tom Oliver, Joel Coles and Tess Waldron are also recommended.