
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation
UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Bird & Bird
Unlock the power of Bird & Bird for your global intellectual property needs. With over 450 dedicated IP specialists worldwide, our team stands as a leader in the field. In London, our practice of over 100 legal professionals takes the lead in high-value cross-border IP litigation and projects, demonstrating extensive experience in devising and coordinating strategies across multiple jurisdictions.
Bird & Bird is your full-service IP practice, offering expertise in patents, copyright, trademarks, designs, and IP-rich transactions. We extend beyond the conventional, expressing a genuine interest in emerging areas such as AI, machine learning, big data, and the convergence of life sciences and technology.
What sets us apart is the unique blend of legal prowess and technological expertise within our team. With over 30 of our team holding degrees in scientific disciplines like chemistry, physics, engineering, microbiology, and computer science, we excel in patent and technology litigation.
Innovation is our ally. Our development of LegalTech solutions, including Fibonacci - a cutting-edge legal project management platform - and PATTERN - an industry-leading patent intelligence offering - has proven instrumental in global brand protection, litigation strategy and global licensing disputes and agreements.
When you choose Bird & Bird, experience a dynamic partnership that leverages global expertise, cutting-edge technology, and a passion for emerging trends in the IP landscape.
Clients (39)
- Mattel
- Merck KGaA
- Nokia
- Teva
- Monster Beverage Corporation
- Fabergé
- Kingfisher (B&Q, Screwfix)
- Global Blue
- Philip Morris International (PMI)
- Allergan
- The Broad Institute
- Simba Sleep
- Marv Studios
- Perform Group
- Monica Vinader
- Convatec
- Gilead
- Dexcom
- Interdigital
- Sisvel
- Ericsson
- AB InBev
- Lidl GB
- Marks & Spencer
- CrossFit
- Revolution Beauty
- Epic Games
- Crypto Open Patent Alliance
- Take-Two
- Semtech
- Debeers
- British Board of Film Classification
- Canon Group
- YouGov
- Prosecco
- Sunday Riley
- Coinbase
- Motel One
- PRET
Industries (16)
- Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals
- Telecommunications
- Technology, Hardware & Electronics
- Food & Drink Producers
- Retail & Consumer
- Industrial Engineering
- Chemicals
- Media
- Education
- Travel & Leisure
- Financial Services
- Aerospace & Defence
- Automobiles & Parts
- Medical Devices
- Research & Development Organisations
- Digital Rights and Assets
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Bird & Bird acted for Merck KGaA in a successful declaratory injunction relating to the use of its trade marks by global organisations online.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
They have top-tier SEP expertise and can solve complex challenges fast. They cut straight to the core of disputes and leverage worldwide resources to handle cross-border issues.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUKBird & Bird has been exceptional throughout; they bring deep expertise, sharp judgement, and an unwavering sense of professionalism to every stage of the process.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUKBird & Bird offer deep technical knowledge combined with pragmatic commercial advice.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUKI reached out to five other prominent law firms for support with our project. None matched Bird’s ability to manage the full scope of the effort with the same level of competence and integration.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Senior Statespeople 
Senior Statespeople 
Morag Macdonald
Morag Macdonald is highly regarded for her extensive experience leading complex patent litigation. In addition to her disputes practice, she expertly handles IP-driven transactions.
Morag's biggest strength is her strategic oversight; she organises the cases across different jurisdictions and makes sure all the different attorneys know what they are doing.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
Band 1 
Band 1 
Peter Brownlow
Peter Brownlow comes recommended for his litigation practice covering trade marks, designs and copyright for companies in a range of industry sectors. He also advises on global brand protection strategy. Peter Brownlow is very good at what he does, very experienced. Together, we came up with a good strategy for our company.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
Band 2 
Band 2 
Jane Mutimear
Jane Mutimear frequently works on highly technical patent litigation matters concerning licensing disputes and FRAND terms for clients in the technology and telecommunications sectors. She regularly coordinates multi-jurisdictional litigation campaigns. Jane Mutimear really knows her stuff and is a very tenacious litigator.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
Band 2 
Band 2 
Richard Vary
Richard Vary comes recommended for his experience born out of years as an in-house lawyer in the electronics sector. His practice encompasses patent infringement disputes and FRAND matters, including the coordination of multi-jurisdictional efforts. Richard provided calm, strategic guidance and his ability to stay focused under pressure and work tirelessly behind the scenes ensured every detail was handled with care and precision.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
Band 3 
Band 3 
Katharine Stephens
Katharine Stephens draws on her deep litigation experience to handle complex trade mark and design disputes for leading brands. She has additional expertise in copyright and database rights. Recently, she is acting for clients in the AI sector.
Katharine is well informed, particularly around AI, and always speaks very sensibly.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
Band 3 
Band 3 
Mark Hilton
Mark Hilton is well respected for his patent litigation practice, assisting clients with all manner of complex and technical problems. He has a particularly large client base in pharmaceutical and life sciences. An exceptional patent litigator and leading authority on pharmaceuticals.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUKMark Hilton is a very calm, safe and effective pair of hands.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
Band 4 
Band 4 
Ewan Grist
Ewan Grist has extensive experience in a range of complex disputes and enforcement matters regarding patents, trade marks and design rights. He is particularly well versed in trade mark infringement litigation for major retail brands.
Ewan is a very good practitioner. He is very amenable and very sensible.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
Band 4 
Band 4 
Nicole Jadeja
Nicole Jadeja is an expert in the treatment of patents in commercial and contentious matters. She is particularly well known for work in biotech and pharmaceuticals.
Nicole Jadeja is very, very good, particularly on the patent litigation side.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming 
Toby Bond
Toby Bond is noted for his knowledge and experience in the tech space, particularly in relation to EU regulations covering AI, data and SEP matters. He has an impressive patent and copyright practice and regularly represents clients in the UK Courts as well as in multi-jurisdictional litigation.
Toby is a brilliant IP lawyer; his advice is very commercial and relevant to the tech industry. He is a software engineer by background and can 'talk the talk' with our business teams.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUKToby is extremely attentive, very knowledgeable and a great personality to work with.
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
Ranked Individuals at Bird & Bird (9)
Members
Provided by Bird & Bird

Mark Holah

Sally Shorthose

Patrick Kelleher

Allan Poulter

Nick Aries

Phil Sherrell

Jennifer Jones

Ewan Grist

Tom Snaith
Head of Department

Eleanor Root

Toby Bond

Jae Park

Christine Danos

Emma Green

Tom Darvill

William Warne

Matt Noble

Mario Subramaniam

Chris de Mauny

Rebecca O'Kelly-Gillard
Head of Department

Robert Williams
Head of Department

Katharine Stephens
View profile of Katharine Stephens
Peter Brownlow
View profile of Peter Brownlow
Richard Vary
View profile of Richard Vary
Ewan Grist
View profile of Ewan Grist
Toby Bond
View profile of Toby Bond
Nicole Jadeja
View profile of Nicole Jadeja
Morag Macdonald
View profile of Morag Macdonald
Jane Mutimear
View profile of Jane Mutimear
Mark Hilton
View profile of Mark Hilton
Bird & Bird has rankings in the following guides
Band 1 Asia-Pacific 2026
Practice area: Intellectual Property
Location: Asia-Pacific Region
View department profile for Asia-Pacific 2026Band 4 Asia-Pacific 2026
Practice area: Intellectual Property
Location: Australia
View department profile for Asia-Pacific 2026Band 1 Europe 2026
Practice area: Intellectual Property
Location: Europe-wide
View department profile for Europe 2026Band 1 Europe 2026
Practice area: Intellectual Property
Location: Czech Republic
View department profile for Europe 2026Band 1 Europe 2026
Practice area: Intellectual Property
Location: Hungary
View department profile for Europe 2026Band 1 Europe 2026
Practice area: Intellectual Property
Location: Italy
View department profile for Europe 2026
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