Providing its clients with a ‘combination of outstanding legal, technical and strategic competence’, Powell Gilbert LLP is highly capable of advising on the full gamut of patent issues arising from a multitude of technically complex sectors, particularly the life sciences sphere. The group frequently appears before the courts on very significant and market-leading cases. Penny Gilbert, who is a pre-eminent practitioner in the spheres of pharmaceuticals and biotech litigation, and Simon Ayrton, who deploys his extensive experience to assist a panoply of clients with FRAND disputes, as well as patent infringement and validity proceedings, jointly lead the practice. Zoë Butler is recommended for her strengths in multi-jurisdictional disputes, while Alex Wilson, who is fluent in French and German, represents notable clients in a range of matters relating to pharmaceuticals, semi-conductors, medical devices, and explosives. Bethan Hopewell leverages her background in molecular biology to handle issues arising from the life sciences sector, and Ari Laakkonen contributes his particular expertise in electronic patent litigation and licensing disputes. Other recommended lawyers include Tim Whitfield, Peter Damerell, Tom Oliver, Siddharth Kusumakar, Joel Coles, Tess Waldron, Rajvinder Jagdev, and Bryce Matthewson.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Combination of outstanding legal, technical and strategic competence.'
'Large human resources which can be pulled into a case if needed.’
‘Ari Laakkonen is extremely dedicated to work and is a very creative thinker.'
Key clients
- Philip Morris International
- Ocado Group plc
- Edwards Lifesciences
- BioNTech
- AIM Sport Vision
- DSM IP ASSETS B.V.
- DSM NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS AG
- General Electric Company
- Tesla
- Bhagat Textile Engineers
Work highlights
- Advising PMI on its global patent dispute with BAT, including representing PMI entities in four UK patent actions involving 9 patents in total.
- Representing Ocado in multi-jurisdictional patent infringement, validity, and entitlement proceedings against rival robotic warehousing operator, AutoStore.
- Representing BioNTech in UK infringement and revocation proceedings concerning multiple EP (UK) patents held by Moderna and CureVac and in proceedings relating to Moderna’s 'patent pledge' made at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when it stated that it would not enforce its IP rights.
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Penny Gilbert; Simon Ayrton
Other key lawyers
Zoë Butler; Peter Damerell; Bethan Hopewell; Ari Laakkonen; Tim Whitfield; Siddharth Kusumakar; Tom Oliver; Joel Coles; Tess Waldron; Alex Wilson; Rajvinder Jagdev; Bryce Matthewson