Powell Gilbert LLP

Number of partners: 10
Number of lawyers: 27
Languages: English, Finnish, French, German, Cantonese, Mandarin

Firm Overview:
Powell Gilbert is a specialist intellectual property law firm with one of the largest, most innovative and highly regarded IP litigation and advisory teams in the United Kingdom. With extensive litigation experience and lawyers who have strong scientific and technical backgrounds, Powell Gilbert is uniquely positioned to address complex and commercially critical IP matters. The strength and depth of the firm’s IP litigation expertise is second to none. Powell Gilbert’s lawyers have been involved in some of the most high-profile and technically complex cases in the UK and across Europe. This includes representing clients in high-stakes patent matters before the UK courts, including appeals to the Supreme Court, while also pursuing parallel EPO opposition proceedings and developing multi-jurisdictional litigation strategies. Powell Gilbert have also represented clients on referrals to the European Court of Justice and the EFTA Court on the SPC Regulation. Its experience ranges from acting in the earliest and most complex biotechnology patent cases, to advising on some of the largest telecoms and FRAND licensing litigation as well as acting in matters concerning copyright in iconic furniture design. Powell Gilbert’s flourishing brands practice acts for some of the world’s most sophisticated businesses, and has a track record of devising and delivering creative solutions to meet clients’ commercial objectives. Powell Gilbert’s technical excellence is unmatched, with almost all its litigators having scientific or technical qualifications, including many lawyers with PhDs in disciplines such as molecular biology, immunology, computer science, nanoscience, and pharmacology, as well as a medically qualified doctor. The firm’s clients range from start-ups to multinationals, operating across a broad range of sectors including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, telecommunications, medical devices, energy technologies and consumer goods. Powell Gilbert has represented clients in cases involving products as diverse as DNA microarrays, computer software, pharmaceutical blockbusters, medical devices, petrochemicals, semi-conductors, mobile phones, perfume, electronic cigarettes, fitness monitors and razor blades. Although London-based, Powell Gilbert frequently works on international matters. Its depth of experience and proven track record means that we are ideally placed to advise on European IP litigation options and to devise strategies that are focused on achieving our clients’ commercial objectives. Many of Powell Gilbert’s cases have multijurisdictional aspects and it often works in, and co-ordinates, multinational teams from across the world.

Main Areas of Practice:
Powell Gilbert’s renowned expertise in IP litigation and dispute resolution is the core of our practice. With a team of lawyers at the forefront of the IP profession in the UK, the firm has been involved in some of the most high-profile and ground-breaking pieces of litigation across a wide range of technologies and industries. Powell Gilbert is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution, particularly in relation to patent and technology licences. The team includes a qualified mediator and many of its lawyers represent clients in arbitration proceedings. Whilst clearly focused on litigation and dispute resolution, Powell Gilbert also offers counselling and advice on IP issues generally. This includes freedom to operate analysis, FRAND matters, product lifecycle management and anticounterfeiting and parallel import strategies.

International Work:
Powell Gilbert’s lawyers represent clients in the UK Courts and have assisted in cases before many overseas courts, including in continental Europe, Scandinavia, USA, Australia and Japan. They also act for clients in the CJEU and have appeared in cases before the EFTA Court. They are often involved in EPO opposition or other registry proceedings and are renowned for their experience in co-ordinating multinational patent litigation (one current case involves co-ordinating teams across 20 European countries). In addition, a number of the firm’s lawyers have been involved in consulting on progress of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) Agreement and Rules of Procedure. As a result, the firm is well placed to advise clients on their options for European patent litigation and to devise appropriate strategies. As a leading patent litigation firm, with proven legal and scientific expertise, Powell Gilbert will be well placed to advise, and represent, clients in proceedings before the local and central division of the future UPC if the system comes into effect.
Firm Contacts:

Intellectual Property (General):
■ Contact: Simon Ayrton
   Tel: +44 20 3040 8010
   Email: [email protected]
■ Contact: Alex Wilson
   Tel: +44 20 3040 8040
   Email: [email protected]

Intellectual Property (Patents):
■ Contact: Tim Powell
   Tel: +44 20 3040 8030
   Email: [email protected]

Life Sciences:
■ Contact: Penny Gilbert 
   Tel: +44 20 3040 8020
   Email: [email protected]

IT/Electronics:
■ Contact: Ari Laakkonen
   Tel: +44 20 3040 8050
   Email: [email protected]
■ Contact: Zoe Butler
   Tel: +44 20 3040 8070
   Email: [email protected]

Healthcare Regulatory:
■ Contact: Tim Powell
   Tel: +44 20 3040 8030
   Email: [email protected]

ADR:
■ Contact: Alex Wilson
   Tel: +44 20 3040 8040
   Email: [email protected]
■ Contact: Penny Gilbert
   Tel: +44 20 3040 8020
   Email: [email protected]