Intellectual Property
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 3
About
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Our 25-person strong UK intellectual property team advise on the full spectrum of IP-related issues including on patents, trade marks, copyright, designs, trade secrets, database rights, anti-counterfeiting, domain names, advertising, licensing and transactions.
The matters we handle are invariably global in scope, and our advice and representation often encompass not only the UK aspects but also the international ones. The international mindset of our team is illustrated by the fact that, along with English qualified solicitors, we have lawyers qualified in the USA, Australia, Canada, India, Italy and New Zealand. We can therefore help our clients to commercialise and protect their innovations across continents.
Everything that we do is underpinned by our IP team’s scientific qualifications. 14 of our team members have an undergraduate degree (or higher) in a technical subject such as engineering, physics, biology or chemistry. We are trusted with the most complex "bet the company" disputes in life sciences and technology, and also have a significant experience advising on software-related matters and disputes.
We have two Unified Patent Court representatives qualified in London and a further seven across Europe.
Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills has a high-quality life sciences and TMT patent litigation practice. The firm is highly regarded for its assured handling of complex licensing and IP-rich corporate transactions, and is also recommended for trade mark, copyright and database rights litigation on behalf of media and fast-moving consumer goods companies. Members of the team are known to be highly adept at advising on pan-European dispute strategy.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills is representing Biogen in its global dispute in relation to patent matters flowing from Tecfidera, its treatment for multiple sclerosis.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"HSF lawyers have a strong desire to understand the technical elements of some of the most technically complex cases. They offer extraordinary depth with questions always answered within 24 hours."
"At Herbert Smith, the lawyers are technically highly skilled, highly sophisticated in their approach and they understand the client's needs."
"Herbert Smith Freehills are very client-oriented in their thinking and highly experienced in all aspects of pharmaceutical IP matters."
"The high-quality team handles multi-jurisdictional case exceptionally well."
"HSF lawyers have a strong desire to understand the technical elements of some of the most technically complex cases. They offer extraordinary depth with questions always answered within 24 hours."
"At Herbert Smith, the lawyers are technically highly skilled, highly sophisticated in their approach and they understand the client's needs."
"Herbert Smith Freehills are very client-oriented in their thinking and highly experienced in all aspects of pharmaceutical IP matters."
"The high-quality team handles multi-jurisdictional case exceptionally well."
Notable Practitioners
Sebastian Moore is well-regarded for handling multi-jurisdictional patent litigation for market-leading biotech and pharma innovators.
"Sebastian has a very strong reputation in patent litigation."
Andrew Wells is a patent litigator who regularly represents clients on technology-heavy patent matters. He also represents life sciences companies and advises on patent enforcement strategies as well as the intellectual property aspects of transactions.
"Andrew digs into cases and becomes a technical expert on all the important matters."
"Andrew is an extremely talented lawyer who is always a pleasure to work with. He is very practical in his advice whilst never compromising on quality."
Ranked Lawyers at
Herbert Smith Freehills
London (Firms)
Members
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Andrew Moir
Emily Bottle
George McCubbin
Heather Newton
Jessica Welborn
Jonathan Turnbull
Monika Klajn
Natasha Daniell
Priyanka Madan
Victoria Horsey
Clients
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
AbbVie
Acuitas
Biogen
British American Tobacco
F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
Gilead Sciences
Menarini
Millennium Pharmaceuticals
R2 Semiconductor
Sanofi
Seoul Semiconductor
Sky
Takeda
Industries
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Consumer products
Energy
Financial services
Media
Medical devices
Pharmaceuticals Sector
Technology