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Kirkland & Ellis

Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation

UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)

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Kirkland & Ellis

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About

Provided by Kirkland & Ellis

The IP team’s tremendous growth in recent years has established it as a major player in the London market. The team is attracting multiple marquee clients across a wide variety of industry sectors and is regularly involved in some of the most important mandates in the market. 

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation - London (Firms)

Band 2

What the Team is Known For
Kirkland & Ellis has an expert team for revocation and infringement disputes with impressive command of second medical use and standard-essential patents. It has a particularly strong focus on the life sciences sector, regularly acting for medical device, biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The team is also highly recommended for electronics patent litigation, and is often called on to advise on non-contentious IP matters.
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Work Highlights

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  • Kirkland represented Xiaomi, the third largest seller of smartphones in the world, in its substantial defence of global enforcement proceedings launched by Panasonic in the UK, UPC, Germany and China.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Kirkland & Ellis have been fantastic; they understand, and are flexible and accommodating to client needs.

    Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

  • Their client service is excellent and the team has a very commercial approach. They own the matter and the case, and they appreciate how I make my decisions. The best legal team have worked with.

    Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

  • I was particularly impressed with the team's availability, proactive approach and breadth of service offering.

    Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

  • They are superb trial lawyers who have thought through every aspect of the case, and can grasp highly complicated issues and technologies with ease.

    Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

  • They provide an excellent service. They are responsive and knowledgeable and really know not only the law but how courts are likely to react.

    Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Nicola Dagg
    Nicola Dagg

    Nicola Dagg

    Nicola Dagg is a pre-eminent litigator handling some of the most complex patent cases of the day for pharmaceutical companies, including before the Supreme Court. She also comes recommended for electronic and mechanical engineering disputes.

    • Nicola Dagg is terrific in her sense of what courts will do and her thorough knowledge of related cases.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • Nicola Dagg runs a very tight ship and she is very good at dealing with things from a holistic perspective; she will support you in court and boardroom. Very hands-on and very impressive.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • Nicola is a force of nature - brilliant at what she does, which is very big cases. She is very good tactically, always thinking of how best to position things, and really good at planning everything.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • She has a remarkable ability to anticipate the next moves of her adversaries early in the process, leading cases with both precision and agility.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • Nicola is highly regarded within the patent litigation community for her astute and innovative thinking.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
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  • Steven Baldwin
    Steven Baldwin

    Steven Baldwin

    Steven Baldwin is recognised for his patent litigation practice, which spans hi-tech and life sciences disputes. His expertise in standard-essential patent and FRAND issues is regularly sought after by high-profile clients.

    • One of the best young partners for patent litigation.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • He is a very brilliant mind and a very good litigator; a very clever guy.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • Steven Baldwin is very good on FRAND and the industry. He is also very easy to work with; he gives clear, no-nonsense advice.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • Steven Baldwin is very sophisticated in the everyday work and knows all the details. He is also timely in his responses and we can rely on him anytime.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • Steven Baldwin is cognisant of client needs and very strategic.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
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  • Daniel Lim
    Daniel Lim

    Daniel Lim

    Daniel Lim is a highly regarded up-and-comer noted for his adeptness in patent litigation both in the life sciences and telecoms sector.

    • Daniel really helps navigate thorny issues. We are very pleased with him, and he delivers excellent client service.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • Daniel is a phenomenal attorney. He is incredibly responsive and able to provide actionable advice. He handles complicated legal and technical analysis with ease. He wins his cases.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • Daniel Lim is very strategic and understands the client goals as well as the court and legal realities. He is good at aligning strategy with what is possible.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • He may be the smartest person I have encountered in the legal profession.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK

    • Daniel is a superstar in the SEP/FRAND arena; his hands-on experience guiding clients through global disputes makes him an invaluable asset.

      Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Kirkland & Ellis (3)

London (Firms)

Members

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Kirkland & Ellis has rankings in the following guides

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