Department profile
Bird & Bird

Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation

UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)


Bird & Bird

Rankings

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
  • FabergĂ©
  • 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

Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation - London (Firms)

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For
Bird & Bird is known for its highly skilled practitioners who handle a wide range of patent litigation for market-leading innovators, with additional capabilities in copyright and data rights. The team is recommended for licence agreements of all kinds, and trade mark and designs prosecution. In addition, the team is noted for deep reserves of hi-tech and life sciences expertise, and its offering of a bespoke in-house patent valuation tool.

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 respondentUK
  • Bird & 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 respondentUK
  • Bird & Bird offer deep technical knowledge combined with pragmatic commercial advice.

    Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
  • I 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 StatespeopleMorag Macdonald
    Senior StatespeopleMorag Macdonald

    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 1Peter Brownlow
    Band 1Peter Brownlow

    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 2Jane Mutimear
    Band 2Jane Mutimear

    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 2Richard Vary
    Band 2Richard Vary

    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 3Katharine Stephens
    Band 3Katharine Stephens

    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 3Mark Hilton
    Band 3Mark Hilton

    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 respondentUK
    • Mark Hilton is a very calm, safe and effective pair of hands.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
  • Band 4Ewan Grist
    Band 4Ewan Grist

    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 4Nicole Jadeja
    Band 4Nicole Jadeja

    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 ComingToby Bond
    Up and ComingToby Bond

    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 respondentUK
    • Toby is extremely attentive, very knowledgeable and a great personality to work with.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Bird & Bird (9)

London (Firms)

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