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DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Powell Gilbert LLP

Intellectual Property

8 ranked lawyersBand 1London (Firms)UK 2021 View ranking table
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Ranked Lawyers

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What the team is known for

One of the best patent litigation practices in the world. A comprehensive IP practice which advises on the registrability, protection and commercialisation of all core rights. Regularly instructed to handle the most cutting-edge of life sciences and hi-tech disputes. Recommended for trade mark, passing-off and copyright instructions.

Strengths

One client says the team is "very efficient, thinks strategically and services its clients seamlessly."

"They are an excellent intellectual property team with a lot of in-depth knowledge," and offer "excellent, first-class advice," according to another.

Another client reports the team is "extremely knowledgeable, very responsive and everything they have told me is precise and to the point."

Work highlights

Represented Biogen in patent litigation over its biosimilar of AbbVie’s blockbuster drug adalimumab.

Notable practitioners

Alex Wilson is a seasoned litigator and registry practitioner handling disputes concerning all core rights. He is frequently instructed by leading innovators in the technology and life science sectors.
"He is a very knowledgeable and strategic lawyer. He knows the law but keeps in mind how to achieve the client's particular goal."

Ari Laakkonen is recommended for his expertise and experience with regard to telecommunications patent litigation, and is particularly noted for his command of the law concerning FRAND licensing. He has acted on behalf of clients before UK and European courts.

Bethan Hopewell draws on her background in molecular biology to expertly guide life sciences clients through high-stakes patent litigation battles. Her broad and impressive practice covers second medical use patents, diagnostics, small molecules and medical devices.
"She is an amazing lawyer, super-smart, extremely responsive and really gets the issues. She comes up with great legal arguments." "A really strategic litigator."

Penny Gilbert is one of the most accomplished patent litigators in Europe, specialising in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. She has deep expertise across a magisterial sweep of technologies, not least vaccines, medical devices and antibody drugs.
"A great litigator - very smart, experienced and calm under pressure." "She is analytical and her strategic advice is spot-on." "A knowledgeable and sophisticated litigator."

Simon Ayrton undertakes a wide range of largely contentious IP work, focusing on trade marks, designs and copyright. He is also able to handle FRAND patent licensing disputes.

Tim Powell is hugely respected for his patent litigation and advocacy practice, which is focused on life sciences but takes in a wide range of technical disciplines. He has appeared before the highest levels of court, including the CJEU, the House of Lords and the Supreme Court.
"One of the most experienced people around, he is tenacious and a very good leader and strategist." "Tim has a strategic mind, gives practical advice and has a very deep knowledge of the law and the industry." 

Tim Whitfield is an experienced patent litigator who handles disputes on behalf of pharmaceutical and technology companies. He has worked on many disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions.
"Tim is an outstanding lawyer. He has cutting-edge knowledge and application of the law, is always on top of the detail and, critically, always plans to be a step ahead of our opponents." "He is a genius, dynamic and really hard-working."

Zoë Butler represents life sciences and technology companies in patent litigation and registry oppositions, often co-ordinating multi-jurisdictional disputes. Her experience includes patent infringement claims relating to medical devices as well as FRAND licensing disputes.
"She is thorough, thoughtful and organised." 

Department Information

This content is provided by Powell Gilbert LLP.

Overview

Powell Gilbert LLP is a specialist IP law firm with one of the largest, most innovative and highly regarded IP teams in the UK.  It has unrivalled patent litigation experience and a blue-chip brands practice.

The firm’s lawyers include some of the leading IP practitioners, with expertise across the range of IP rights. This includes patents spanning all technologies, from complex biotech to telecom/electronics and FRAND issues, as well as trade marks, copyright, design rights, passing off and confidential information. The technical expertise at Powell Gilbert is second to none. Almost all of the firm’s lawyers have scientific backgrounds, many having PhDs in relevant scientific disciplines.

The firm has appeared in many of the most technically complex and legally challenging patent cases in the UK courts and has represented clients in referrals on SPC law to the CJEU and EFTA Court. The firm also represents clients before the UK IP Enterprise Court and in proceedings before the UK IPO and the EPO.

The firm’s flourishing soft IP practice acts for some of the world’s most sophisticated, brand-driven businesses and has a track record of devising and delivering creative solutions to meet clients’ commercial objectives. The firm also has a strong practice in copyright and design rights, including representing some of the leading manufacturers of iconic furniture.

Members

Ayrton, Simon

Butler, Zoë

Damerell, Peter

Gilbert, Penny

Hopewell, Bethan

Hopewell, Bethan

Kusumakar, Siddharth

Laakkonen, Ari

Oliver, Tom

Powell, Tim

Whitfield, Tim

Whitfield, Tim

Wilson, Alex

Clients

Access Advance LLC

Actavis

Biogen

BioNTech

Cassina

Coloplast A/S

CommScope

Edwards Lifesciences

Elbit Systems

Elekta

Fritz Hansen

Garmin

GlaxoSmithKline

Huawei Technologies

Illumina Inc

Kymab

Napp Pharmaceuticals / Mundipharma

Nichia Corporation

Ocado Group plc

Philip Morris International

Prada

Procter & Gamble

Promptu Systems Corporation

Reckitt Benckiser

Research Corporation Technologies

Royalty Pharma

Saint-Gobain

Sony Corporation

UCB Biopharma

Vitra

Vivagro SARL

Xiaomi

Industries

Biotech

Chemicals

Consumer & luxury goods

Energy & clean technology

Engineering

Food & beverages

Media & entertainment

Medical devices

Pharma

Telecoms & electronics

Intellectual Property

Powell Gilbert LLP

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Location

85 Fleet Street

London

Greater London

UK

EC4Y 1AE

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Ranked Lawyers

Chambers Research is conducted by 200 Research Analysts, across 200 jurisdictions and provides nearly 6,000 rankings tables. Annually we collect hundreds of thousands of responses from clients, the majority via in-depth interview. Learn more about our methodology.

London (Firms)

Intellectual Property

Simon Ayrton
Band 2
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Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation

Alex Wilson
Band 3
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Ari Laakkonen
Band 3
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Bethan Hopewell
Band 4
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Penny Gilbert
Band 1
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Tim Powell
Band 1
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