Ranking tables
Life Sciences | Global
Europe-wide
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
Band 3
Band 4
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Arnold & PorterLife Sciences2025 | Band 1 | 13 Years RankedArnold & Porter boasts an outstanding UK-based practice with particular strength advising clients on EU regulations. The lawyers advise leading pharmaceutical clients on an array of regulatory compliance issues, including clinical data disclosure, product approval, and advertising and marketing rules. The law firm is also active in contentious matters, such as product liability claims and fraud investigations. Arnold & Porter has additional experience in transactions and licensing agreements.1 Covington & Burling LLPLife Sciences2025 | Band 1 | 13 Years RankedCovington & Burling is a top firm with pan-European capabilities out of pre-eminent offices in London and Brussels. The law firm offers clients market-leading regulatory expertise in clinical trials, pharmacovigilance and data protection. Its further expertise includes assisting with corporate matters including distribution and collaboration agreements, as well as contentious mandates relating to EMA regulations and investigations. Covington also assists with M&A in the sector.
1 Hogan LovellsLife Sciences2025 | Band 1 | 13 Years RankedHogan Lovells has an excellent life sciences practice with key teams in the Benelux region, Germany, Italy, France and the UK. It offers expertise across an expansive range of matters, assisting pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with M&A and competition law. The firm further advises on regulatory mandates including clinical trials, data protection and product classification, in addition to contentious matters such as patent and product liability disputes.
Band 2
2 Bird & BirdLife Sciences2025 | Band 2 | 13 Years RankedBird & Bird has an impressive team with notable offices in the UK, Italy and Spain, and additional branches in Germany and Belgium. The law firm has particular strength in IP mandates, advising on patent revocation and litigation. It is also active on corporate mandates, advising clients on cross-border acquisitions and collaboration agreements. Bird & Bird further acts on regulatory aspects, including data protection and regulatory issues in clinical trials.
2 Simmons & Simmons LLPLife Sciences2025 | Band 2 | 13 Years RankedSimmons & Simmons has strong teams in France, Belgium and the UK. The law firm advises clients from the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries on a broad range of matters, with notable experience handling corporate mandates including collaboration agreements, licensing and M&A. The lawyers are highly reputed for their expertise in contentious matters, assisting clients with patent and parallel import disputes and product liability, as well as patent litigation.
Band 3
3 A&O ShearmanLife Sciences2025 | Band 3 | 13 Years RankedA&O Shearman has a notable network of offices across Europe, including well-regarded practices in the UK and France. It has particular expertise in transactional and IP mandates, including patent infringement and litigation, and unfair competition matters. It also has expertise in handling collaboration and licensing agreements, as well as regulatory advice covering trade secrets, and data protection. A&O Shearman counts pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers among its clients.
3 Baker McKenzieLife Sciences2025 | Band 3 | 13 Years RankedBaker McKenzie has a solid offering in Europe with branches in Germany, Spain, the UK and France. The law firm frequently acts on transactions, advising pharma companies on acquisitions and joint ventures. The lawyers also assist with IP matters including unfair competition, patent litigation and licensing files, as well as regulatory matters.
3 CMSLife Sciences2025 | Band 3 | 13 Years RankedCMS has key teams in the UK, Hungary, the Netherlands and Germany. The law firm has extensive expertise in acquisitions and competition matters. The lawyers also assist with contentious cases before the CJEU. It has further strength in IP matters, advising on advertising and patent infringement issues, with additional experience in product liability and licensing matters.
3 Sidley Austin LLPLife Sciences2025 | Band 3 | 13 Years RankedSidley Austin has notable offices in Brussels and London, with particular recognition for its regulatory capabilities. The law firm assists clients with major pan-European regulatory matters before EU institutions, including the ECJ. Sidley Austin's additional regulatory expertise covers product liability and recall matters and questions relating to pricing and reimbursement.
Band 4
4 Clifford Chance LLPLife Sciences2025 | Band 4 | 13 Years RankedClifford Chance has a strong transactional team with an expansive network, offering life science expertise in Germany, with additional capacity in France. The law firm is especially recognised for its pan-European M&A and competition work, advising leading pharmaceutical clients on cross-border collaboration agreements and acquisitions. It is also active in product liability and patent law matters, with a leading patent litigation team in Spain. Clifford Chance additionally advises on regulatory matters including clinical trials and market authorisation.
4 Taylor Wessing LLPLife Sciences2025 | Band 4 | 13 Years RankedTaylor Wessing is a distinguished firm with reputable life sciences teams in Germany and the UK. The law firm handles the full breadth of life sciences matters, including patent litigation and product liability. It additionally advises on corporate matters including multi-jurisdictional M&A and product licensing. Taylor Wessing additionally assists with regulatory matters, advising clients from the pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical device industries on online sales, distribution and biosimilars.