ASIA-PACIFIC
James & Wells welcomes new patent attorney
Australasia IP firm James & Wells hired patent attorney Mike Flint as a partner in its Christchurch office. Flint, who specialises in electrical and electronics work, joined from Marks & Clerk.
Gowling WLG strengthens in China and the UK
Gowling WLG hired Seiko Hidaka as a director in its patent litigation practice in the UK. Hidaka was previously with Norton Rose Fulbright. In June 2021, the firm recruited Clyde & Co’s head of IP Elliot Papageorgiou and his team in Beijing. This month the firm announced its new office in Shanghai and a partnership with local firm Chongqing Aquila Law Firm (Aquila Law).
Shelston IP to become Spruson & Ferguson
ASX-listed company IPH Limited announced that Shelston IP and Spruson & Ferguson Australia will merge and operate under the Spruson & Ferguson brand, effective from November 1. The company hired managing director David Kennedy to lead the firm.
EUROPE
CMS strengthens IP practice with new partner hire
CMS hired soft IP practitioner Ben Hitchens as a partner in its London office. He was previously with Locke Lord.
A new IP firm in Finland
In August 2021, former Kolster trade mark practitioners Jani Kaulo and Maria Puronvarsi established a new boutique firm called Kaulo & Partners.
New hires at Pérez-Llorca
Spanish law firm Pérez-Llorca welcomed former Gómez-Acebo & Pombo IP lawyers Eduardo Castillo and Álvaro De Castro. Castillo and De Castro joined as head of IP and counsel, respectively.
A new IP firm in Sweden
Former AWA practitioners Urban Lind, Fabian Edlund and Peter Kenamets have launched their own IP firm, Lind Edlund Kenamets. Lind and Edlund are European patent attorneys, while Kenamets is a litigator.
AWA reinforces IP team in Scandinavia
International IP firm AWA hired several employees across its Scandinavian offices this year. The notable ones include lawyers Sara Söderling and Lisa Webster; patent attorney Sindre Fossum; and trade mark attorney Sissel Bøe-Sollund.
Taliens hires new partner
European IP law firm Taliens recruited patent litigator Peter Koch as a partner in its Munich office. Koch will be joining from Pinsent Masons.
Eisenführ Speiser bolsters Munich office
German IP firm Eisenführ Speiser strengthened its Munich office with the addition of Michael Schneider, who joined from Pinsent Masons. Schneider specialises in patent litigation, primarily in the high-tech and medical device industries.
A new IP firm in Poland
Patent and trade mark attorney Karol Gajek has left Sołtysiński Kawecki & Szlęzak to establish his own firm. The new firm, ViaMarca IP, will offer the full range of IP legal services.
Three European law firms form a new association
Altana (France), Beiten Burkhardt (Germany), and Nctm (Italy) have joined forces to launch a new law firm association known as ADVANT. The firms will remain independent but incorporate the ADVANT brand.
Graf von Westphalen bolsters IP practice
German law firm GvW Graf von Westphalen has strengthened its IP practice with the recruitment of patent litigator Sebastian Heim and a team of associates from Beiten Burkhardt. The firm also hired IP lawyer Jörg Khöber from Prüfer & Partner.
Plasseraud IP strengthens litigation practice
French IP firm Plasseraud IP recruited IP lawyer Jean-Christophe Guerrini as a partner in its litigation practice, Plasseraud Avocats. Guerrini has worked for different law firms, including LexCase Société d'Avocats and DS Avocats.
Italian firm joins unyer
Italian law firm Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati has joined unyer, a law firm network created by Fidal (France) and Luther (Germany) in May 2021.
Mishcon de Reya and Taylor Vinters to launch innovation consultancy
Mishcon de Reya and Taylor Vinters have teamed up to launch a consultancy business for innovators and entrepreneurs. The consultancy, known as MDR Taylor Vinters, will be led by Taylor Vinters' CEO Matt Meyer and managing partner Ed Turner.
DA Lawyers joins Andersen Global
Spanish law firm DA Lawyers has joined the legal and tax firm Andersen Global in Spain. The firm recently hired former Uría Menéndez IP associate Nerea Sanjuan Rodríguez as a director in its IP/entertainment practice.
ECIJA welcomes soft IP lawyers from DA Lawyers
Soft IP lawyers Helena Suárez and José Antonio Suárez have joined ECIJA’s Madrid office as partners. They are known for their expertise in the creative industries, especially media and entertainment. They were previously with DA Lawyers.
Bird & Bird strengthens French IP team
Bird & Bird recruited European patent attorney and lawyer Frédéric Portal as a counsel in its Paris office. Portal, who joined from Lavoix, specialises in chemistry and life sciences work.