Intellectual Property
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 3040 8000About
Provided by Powell Gilbert LLP
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.
Chambers Review
Powell Gilbert is regarded as one of the best patent litigation practices in the world. The firm has a comprehensive IP practice which advises on the registrability, protection and commercialisation of all core rights. Its team is regularly instructed to handle the most cutting edge of life sciences and hi-tech disputes, and is recommended for trade mark, passing-off and copyright instructions.
Work Highlights
- Powell Gilbert represented Ocado in multijurisdictional patent infringement, validity and entitlement proceedings against AutoStore. They also acted as lead representatives before the Düsseldorf, Nordic-Baltic and Milan divisions of the UPC.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The technical prowess of its highly specialised, intelligent and tech-savvy lawyers enables the firm to handle some of the most legally challenging and technically complex cases in the UK courts."
"A go-to IP firm with top-notch work product and incredibly smart lawyers. They really know our business and are incredibly responsive."
"The Powell Gilbert team are easy to work with and tend to move things forward for their clients rather than putting up barriers."
"The technical prowess of its highly specialised, intelligent and tech-savvy lawyers enables the firm to handle some of the most legally challenging and technically complex cases in the UK courts."
"A go-to IP firm with top-notch work product and incredibly smart lawyers. They really know our business and are incredibly responsive."
"The Powell Gilbert team are easy to work with and tend to move things forward for their clients rather than putting up barriers."
Notable Practitioners
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.
"Penny is a prominent lawyer in patent litigation."
Simon Ayrton undertakes a wide range of largely contentious IP work, focusing on trade marks, designs and copyrights. He is also able to handle FRAND patent licensing disputes.
"Simon is an extremely excellent practitioner who is very sensible and collegiate."
Zoë Butler represents life sciences and technology companies in patent litigation and registry oppositions, often coordinating multi-jurisdictional disputes. Her experience includes patent infringement claims relating to medical devices as well as FRAND licensing disputes.
"Zoe is an outstanding litigator."
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.
"Alex is an impressive patent litigator."
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.
"Ari consistently demonstrates top international level prowess in client service and general service delivery. He has a keen commercial awareness and visionary outlook."
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.
"Bethan Hopewell is exceptionally smart and responsive, and she understands the long-term strategy. Her thought processes and the work she produces are exceptional."
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 Whitfield is super-bright and a pleasure to work with. A key biotech and pharma patent litigator."
Tess is garnering praise for her patent litigation experience spanning different industries, particularly the life sciences, but also hi-tech engineering.
"Tess is a very technically proficient patent litigator."
Ranked Lawyers at
Powell Gilbert LLP
London (Firms)
Members
Provided by Powell Gilbert LLP
Bryce Matthewson
Peter Damerell
Siddharth Kusumakar
Tom Oliver
Clients
Provided by Powell Gilbert LLP
Access Advance LLC
Actavis
BioNTech
Biogen
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
Provided by Powell Gilbert LLP
Biotech
Chemicals
Consumer & luxury goods
Energy & clean technology
Engineering
Food & beverages
Media & entertainment
Medical devices
Pharma
Telecoms & electronics