A&O Shearman

Headed up by digital, data, and tech IP transactions specialist Jim Ford, the patent-focused team in A&O Shearman‘s London office is routinely instructed by a blue-chip client roster hailing from key sectors, including the tech, life sciences, and pharma spaces. The group is adept in handling major patent litigation and enforcement work, patent-rich M&A, licensing issues, JV deals, and confidential information disputes. Rafi Allos is a litigator in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, and Gemma Barrett is noted for her life sciences focus. Neville Cordell focuses on acting for TMT and telecoms businesses, Mark Heaney is a key contact for some of the team’s largest clients, and Marjan Noor is noted for her representation of life sciences players in critical disputes. Transactions lawyer Nigel Parker and trade secrets-focused Mark Ridgway are also on the team, alongside patent litigator Tom Edwards, hi-tech and telecoms-oriented James Fox, and Megan McMellon, who delivers advice on the commercial side.