Ranking tables

Life Sciences | Europe

Europe-wide

The below Life Sciences rankings table provides market-leading insights on the top ranked lawyers and law firms whose advice and legal services can be purchased in Europe-wide. The rankings are the result of extensive research by our internal research team, who conduct interviews with in-house counsel, other third-party experts and private practice lawyers who have worked alongside them. Use our table and ranking system to identify the most suited provider of legal services for you.

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Arnold & Porter
    1
    Arnold & Porter
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 1 | 24 Years Ranked

    Arnold & 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.

  2. Covington & Burling LLP
    1
    Covington & Burling LLP
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 1 | 24 Years Ranked

    Covington & 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.

  3. Hogan Lovells
    1
    Hogan Lovells
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 1 | 24 Years Ranked

    Hogan 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. It also advises on distribution agreements.

2

Band 2

  1. Bird & Bird
    2
    Bird & Bird
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 2 | 24 Years Ranked

    Bird & 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 LLP
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 2
3

Band 3

  1. A&O Shearman
    3
    A&O Shearman
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 3 | 24 Years Ranked
  2. Baker McKenzie
    3
    Baker McKenzie
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 3 | 24 Years Ranked

    Baker 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 patent litigation and licensing files, as well as regulatory matters.

  3. CMS
    3
    CMS
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 3 | 24 Years Ranked

    CMS 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.

  4. HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER
    3
    HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 3 | 22 Years Ranked

    HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER has strong offerings in Spain and Belgium. The law firm is particularly respected for its patent litigation on behalf of leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. It additionally offers regulatory strength, assisting clients with questions relating to market exclusivity and regulatory data protection. The law firm has further strength in enforcement of rights and cases relating to biosimilars.

  5. Sidley Austin LLP
    3
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 3 | 24 Years Ranked

    Sidley 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.

4

Band 4

  1. Bristows LLP
    4
    Bristows LLP
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 4 | 22 Years Ranked

    Bristows has expertise in pan-European IP matters, with a solid reputation in cross-border matters of both a transactional and contentious nature. The law firm advises leading life science clients on patent litigation, with notable strength in revocation and enforcement proceedings. It also represents clients in market authorisation files, assisting with development and commercialisation of new products. Bristows also continues to be active for leading research teams in landmark cases relating to COVID-19 vaccines and variants, and testing.

  2. Clifford Chance LLP
    4
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 4 | 24 Years Ranked

    Clifford 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.

  3. 4
    Taylor Wessing LLP
    Life Sciences
    2024 | Band 4 | 24 Years Ranked

    Taylor 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.