Matthew Laight > Bird & Bird > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Lawyer Profile
Bird & Bird Offices
6/F, The Annex
Central Plaza 18 Harbour Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong SAR
Hong Kong
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Matthew Laight
Work Department
Intellectual Property
Position
Partner
Career
I have worked in Asia for over 25 years, 22 of which have been with Bird & Bird. I head our Intellectual Property practice in Asia-Pacific. My practice covers contentious and non-contentious intellectual property and I have extensive experience across the Asia-Pacific region.
I advise clients across a range of sectors including electronics, pharma, communications, IT, media and food & beverage. Working on major IP litigation, I manage complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes, working closely with our network of partner firms. I also develop case strategies across the different legal and regulatory environments in Asia-Pacific. I have represented some of the world’s leading companies in life sciences and electronics.
In life sciences, my experience includes contentious matters such as patent, trade mark and unfair competition litigation and commercial work such as clinical trials agreements, joint promotion and joint marketing agreements, collaboration and development agreements.
In the tech & comms sector, I have developed significant expertise in standards issues and the interplay between standards and patents, and I have been involved in some of the leading cases relating to standard essential patents.
You can find out more about my reputation and track record in the major legal directories including Chambers Asia-Pacific, Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, Asialaw, Asia IP Profiles, IAM Patent 1000, IAM Life Sciences 250, and The International Who’s Who Legal directories for Patent Lawyers, Life Sciences Lawyers and Trademarks Lawyers.
Admissions
- Law Society of England & Wales in 1991
- Law Society of Hong Kong in 1993
Languages
English
Education
- The London School of Economics and Political Science
Lawyer Rankings
China > Intellectual property: foreign firms
(Hall of Fame)Hong Kong > Intellectual property
(Hall of Fame)Remaining a strong provider of IP counsel, Bird & Bird is well-versed in handling contentious and non-contentious matters for its leading clientele. Its expertise extends across multiple industries and jurisdictions, demonstrating particular strengths within the technology, life sciences and healthcare sectors. The team is led by Hank Leung, a specialist in trade mark, product design and copyright within the sports and entertainment industry. Leung is closely supported by Shanghai-based Christine Yiu. Ted Chwu, who co-heads the global tech and comms group, excels in handling disputes. Alison Wong is head of the life sciences & healthcare sector for Asia Pacific, advising pharmaceutical companies on regulatory and IP matters. Matthew Laight
is recommended for handling matters relating to standard essential patents. Recently promoted partner Victor Tse specialises in IP protection strategies.