Headed up by digital, data, and tech IP transactions specialist Jim Ford, the patent-focused team in A&O Shearman‘s London office is routinely instructed by a blue-chip client roster hailing from key sectors, including the tech, life sciences, and pharma spaces. The group is adept in handling major patent litigation and enforcement work, patent-rich M&A, licensing issues, JV deals, and confidential information disputes. Rafi Allos is a litigator in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, and Gemma Barrett is noted for her life sciences focus. Neville Cordell focuses on acting for TMT and telecoms businesses, Mark Heaney is a key contact for some of the team’s largest clients, and Marjan Noor is noted for her representation of life sciences players in critical disputes. Transactions lawyer Nigel Parker and trade secrets-focused Mark Ridgway are also on the team, alongside patent litigator Tom Edwards, hi-tech and telecoms-oriented James Fox, and Megan McMellon, who delivers advice on the commercial side.

Bristows LLP has a strong track record in the patent litigation arena, housing a team of seasoned patent experts jointly led by Andrew Bowler, who is experienced in coordinating multijurisdictional parallel litigation for clients operating across an array of innovation-based sectors; Robert Burrows, whose remit spans plant varieties, and patent and SPC cases for life sciences clients; and transaction-focused Richard Dickinson, who is well-versed in the development, exploitation, and protection of IP rights in various industries. Litigator Liz Cohen acts for clients across the UK and European courts and registries, and James Boon’s expertise applies to the intersection of IP and competition law. Dominic Adair is a key name for cross-border life sciences patent disputes, taking on litigation and ADR. Veteran of hi-tech patent litigation Myles Jelf is also in the team, alongside pharmaceuticals-focused Brian Cordery, and Matthew Warren and Claire Smith, who orchestrate complex IP transactions. Charlie French, Gregory Bacon, Naomi Hazenberg, Richard Pinckney and Rachel Mumby are further names to note.

Described by one client as ‘leaders in UK patent practice,’ Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is frequently tasked by globally active clients with representing them in UK SEP/FRAND licensing disputes, with the firm marshalling its international network to oversee parallel proceedings in Europe, Asia and the Americas. ‘Force of nature’ Nicola Dagg takes the lead on such disputes, with expertise in both the pharmaceutical and tech sectors. She heads the firm’s patent litigation efforts alongside Daniel Lim, whose practice is centred on life sciences patent disputes, and Steven Baldwin, whose focus lies in SEP/FRAND issues in the telecoms sector. Emma Flett heads the practice’s transactional arm, taking the lead on the IP aspects of multi-jurisdictional public and private transactions, with experience handling deals in sectors as diverse as software, pharmaceuticals and energy, among others. Jin Ooi adds further contentious expertise across matters involving companies in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s patents team counsels clients operating in the full array of patent-intensive industries, advising on R&D and patent licensing agreements, and other IP-rich transactions as well as handling generics and biosimilars litigation and revocation proceedings and UPC disputes. Key specialists in the group include Charlotte Weekes, who specialises in acting for life sciences clients, James Marshall, who focuses on FRAND-related actions, and Christopher Sharp, who navigates a varied patent litigation caseload. Catherine Drew‘s experience spans patent and regulatory and contentious matters. Patent attorney and registered UPC representative Kristina Cornish focuses on biopharma work, and Gareth Morgan litigates across various courts. Gina Bicknell, Mark Marfé, and Tracey Roberts are further key contacts. Clare Tunstall left the practice in November 2024.

Powell Gilbert LLP’s patent team, which includes a number of UPC representatives, works across offices in London and Dublin, acting for an impressive client roster operating in the patent-heavy sectors of life sciences, biotech, medical tech, and more. Veteran patent litigation expert Penny Gilbert leads the team alongside Simon Ayrton, a key figure in FRAND disputes who also advises clients on strategy and parallel proceedings. Zoë Butler is experienced in handling multijurisdictional disputes and technology transfer cases, and Bethan Hopewell and Joel Coles specialise in life sciences work. Siddharth Kusumakar leverages a technical background in immunology to represent clients before various courts, and Ari Laakkonen focuses on disputes and licensing in the electronics, IT, and telecoms spaces. Further key names include versatile litigators Tom Oliver and Alex Wilson, life sciences-oriented Tess Waldron, Tim Whitfield, whose broad remit includes various international contentious patent matters, and Rajvinder Jagdev, a key contact for TMT clients. Bryce Matthewson’s caseload comprises medical devices and pharma-related proceedings, barrister Callum Beamish-Lacey handles damages inquiries, and Claire Robinson is well-versed in tech disputes. FRAND litigator Richard Fawcett’s knowledge spans microelectronics, engineering, and nanoscience, and Daniel Down is another main player in the practice, along with Pete Damerell.

With a multinational client roster, Taylor Wessing LLP‘s patent outfit is well-equipped to guide innovative clients through disputes, acting before domestic courts and the UPC, as well as helping patent owners maximise the value of their assets. Practice head Nigel Stoate has led on crucial patent litigation cases for some of the world’s foremost biotech companies, supported by ‘exceptional litigator’ Matthew Royle, a key contact for an array of instructions, spanning patent litigation, SPCs, paediatric extensions, and opinion and regulatory work. Mike Washbrook is a name to note for SEP/FRAND litigation, an area where Tom Foster is also experienced. Xuyang Zhu‘s practice covers contentious and transactional IP work in the media and tech sectors, and Christopher Thornham advises on freedom to operate issues, launches, litigation, and FRAND licensing disputes, while Andrew Payne, who has a background in medicinal chemistry, routinely acts for life sciences companies in cross-border disputes. Another key figure is Amanda Ebbutt, who handles litigation and commercial matters involving life sciences, healthcare, and technology patents.

A key resource for heavyweights in the life sciences sector, Carpmaels & Ransford LLP is best known for litigating major drug, chemicals, tech, and other patent disputes across the UK courts and the UPC. The group is also well-versed in IP-rich transactions, EPO oppositions, and patent prosecution strategy. Jointly led by disputes lawyer Ian Kirby, Hugh Goodfellow, and transactions-focused Jake Marshall, the team includes life sciences specialist Jennifer Antcliff, who acts for clients in patent and SPC litigation, and Simon Llewellyn, who handles cross-border disputes in the healthcare sector. Agathe Michel-de Cazotte‘s expertise includes coordinating parallel litigation and UPC-related work, and Craig Lumb comes recommended for life sciences disputes.

The patent offering at CMS is co-led by Sarah Hanson and litigator Caitlin Heard, and offers a range of contentious and non-contentious services to major players in patent-heavy industries. Participants in the emerging area of SEP and FRAND, the group is also well-versed in complex life sciences litigation, plant breeders’ rights disputes, patent commercialisation strategies, and major IP-based transactions in the tech and energy sectors, a workflow where Joel Vertes is a key name. He also leads the charge on the team’s patent monetisation offering. The bench includes seasoned patent disputes specialist Mark Shillito, and Fionnuala Rice, who is experienced across a variety of contentious and non-contentious instructions. Toby Sears departed for Jones Day in October 2024.

Specialists in tech patents, EIP is best known for its Standard Essential Patent and FRAND litigation expertise, with experience acting in a substantial portion of the key cases in the area. The team also advises clients in relation to transactional and regulatory matters, and handles IP-rich investments and M&A. Litigators Andrew Sharples and Robert Lundie Smith lead the group in conjunction with non-contentious practitioner Mark Lubbock. ‘Pro litigator’ Gary Moss brings over three decades of complex tech patent expertise to the group, and Kathleen Fox Murphy is particularly well-versed in obtaining interim injunctions and handling the associated damages disputes. Catherine Howell is another highly recommended name.

The patent group at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP counsels clients in relation to a range of IP-heavy transactions and R&D deals, coordinates cross-border litigation involving the UPC, and is particularly experienced in litigating disputes for innovators in the pharmaceutical sector. The team, which works under the leadership of life sciences specialist Sebastian Moore, is also equipped to advise a range of clients on SPCs, hi-tech patent litigation, and more. Andrew Moir is a key contact for digital and tech patent matters, including SEP and FRAND litigation, and Andrew Wells is a highly experienced litigator across various innovation-intensive industries. Emily Bottle, who pivots between the firm’s London and Milan offices, handles life sciences disputes, and Jonathan Turnbull specialises in disputes stemming from R&D agreements. Emma Sherratt‘s remit includes patent validity and freedom-to-operate work in the pharma and life sciences sectors, and George McCubbin is involved in non-contentious and contentious pharma matters. Monika Klajn and Priyanka Madan are further names to note.

The patents practice at Linklaters LLP is focused on handling large-scale, patent-rich transactions and commercial deals for a stellar client list covering the life sciences, consumer, tech, and automotive sectors. Yohan Liyanage advises on major transactions and joint ventures as well as patent litigation, and Katie Coltart spearheads the team’s contentious offering, handling patent licensing disputes, biosimilars litigation, SEP and FRAND work, and revocation actions in the tech space. Paul Joseph is another key contact for transactional matters, and Ian Karet contributes significant experience in various streams of IP litigation and non-contentious commercial instructions.

Life sciences and chemicals litigator Mike Gilbert and mechanics, electronics, software, and telecoms dispute expert Dafydd Bevan head up the patents side of IP boutique Marks & Clerk, which acts for an impressive life sciences client base in a range of actions, including those involving the UPC. The team, which includes enforcement, defence, and commercialisation specialist Charlie Balme, also advises companies in the telecoms, pharmaceuticals, and machinery sectors on transactions and commercial agreements. Daniel McGrath is a key litigator on the team, and Marcus Riby-Smith advises on both commercial matters and disputes.

Seasoned practitioner David Rose leads the IP offering at Mishcon de Reya LLP, which handles contentious and non-contentious instructions for a varied client list. The substantial team includes litigator Campbell Forsyth, who has acted for clients in various innovation-based industries, handling SEP and FRAND litigation, major disputes concerning generic drugs, and patent strategy work. Patrick Farrant‘s remit includes advising life sciences entities on a variety of transactions, and Jeremy Hertzog litigates across the full suite of IP rights, with particular expertise in obtaining and defending injunctive relief. Gareth Dickson focuses on software, database, design rights, and domain names, and Peter Nunn is well-versed in cases concerning patent infringement and licensing issues, and trade secrets. Longstanding patents specialist Justin Lambert is another key resource for clients, as is Conor McLaughlin, whose caseload spans patent prosecution, strategy, and contentious proceedings. Litigator James Holland and tech and life sciences contracts lawyer Anna Sloan are further assets in the group.

Supporting clients with contentious and non-contentious patent-related issues, Stephenson Harwood’s IP department is capable in various sectors, including the emerging technologies and life sciences spaces. Practice head Alexandra Pygall assists clients with patent licensing, partnering, collaboration, R&D, and other agreements, as well as anti-counterfeiting and enforcement issues. Rob Jacob specialises in cross-border litigation, and Naomi Leach’s interests include patent commercialisation. Also on the team are experienced litigator Helen Conlan, and Laura Elliott, who concentrates on life sciences contract disputes.

The team at Wiggin LLP advises clients across all IP rights, handling SPC appeals, patent disputes, plant breeders’ rights, patent licensing work, and research-related transactions and agreements in the automotive, biotech, electronics and medical devices fields. Sara Ashby leads the offering, which is strengthened by Michael Browne, who is experienced in both contentious and transactional work, and Calum Smyth, whose interests include tech and software mandates. Georgina Hart is another name to note.

With notable SEP and FRAND-related experience, the IP group at WilmerHale offers services across the full array of intellectual property matters to clients in sectors such as the tech and life sciences spaces. The team of patent litigators is jointly led by a team of four: Justin Watts, who is sought out to untangle matters at the intersection of competition law and IP; Anthony Trenton, a seasoned solicitor advocate; Matthew Shade, who handles a varied list of patent disputes; and ‘intelligent and strategic litigator’ Annsley Merelle Ward, who is well-versed in complex cross-jurisdictional litigation.

Litigator and SPC specialist Beatriz San Martin heads the life sciences-focused operation at Arnold & Porter, which has handled a long list of research and development projects, partnership, licensing, and collaboration agreements, M&A, and more for key innovators in the pharma space. Notably experienced in vaccine-related work, Ewan Townsend handles transactional mandates for a range of pharma clients, assisting with the development, exploitation, and commercialisation of medicinal products as well as delivering regulatory advice. Also on the team is Tom Wilson, who focuses on transactions.

The large intellectual property outfit at Keystone Law receives instructions from clients hailing from various innovation-based sectors and supports clients with their contentious and commercial IP needs, including SEP/FRAND matters, digital asset protection, patent infringement work, IP strategy, transactions, and more. Team members include Rebecca Halford–Harrison, who handles patent issues in chemistry and formulation-based industries such as the food and beverage, cosmetics, life sciences, and electronics spaces. Simon Chalkley advises brand, creative, and tech-driven companies on transactions, strategy, and disputes, while Robert Pocknell specialises in telecoms work. James Tumbridge and Robert Peake arrived from Venner Shipley LLP in 2024.

Venner Shipley LLP’s patents group is well regarded for complex, cross-border work across telecoms, technology and medical devices. The team advises on domestic and international filing and prosecution, EPO oppositions and appeals, and representation before the UPC. In December 2024 the firm combined with AA Thornton, adding IP litigator and department head Geoff Hussey and mechanical specialist Adrian Bennett, among others. Allie Elend leads the chemistry and life sciences team from Cambridge. Jan Walaski heads the Electronics, Software & Communications group and advises several of the firm’s flagship clients. Mechanical engineering is led by Alex Brown, who has particular strength in that field. Managing partner since July 2024, Siân Gill is a name to note, as is the opposition and appeal specialist Tim Russell.

The IP group at Clyde & Co specialises in representing generic drug producers in patent proceedings, and defending patent attorneys facing negligence claims. Ralph Cox, who serves as practice lead, has over two decades of experience with life sciences clients in a range of disputes, and Chris Williams is a key contact for marine, energy, and natural resources companies.

Colm Murphy leads Cooley (UK) LLP‘s patent offering, which is adept at navigating licensing and collaboration agreements for emerging life sciences and biotech innovators, as well as advising those who invest into the sectors. The team, which includes patent strategy and application specialist Tanya Heare-Rowlands and partnership and collaboration agreement-focused Joe Sandys, also handles the IP elements of M&A.

Gowling WLG‘s patent team offers a wide array of services to clients in the life sciences, tech, consumer electronics, and other inventive sectors. Led by Kate Swaine, the team comprises UK patent litigation head Huw Evans, seasoned life sciences lawyer Patrick Duxbury, and biotech and pharma-focused Luke Kempton, who is a key contact particularly for Japanese companies seeking advice on acquisitions, licensing, and other transactions. Paul Inman is regarded for his experience acting for major life sciences clients in disputes, and Sharmela Kalmer advises tech and life sciences companies on non-contentious matters, while resident SEP and FRAND specialist Alexandra Brodie is highly recommended. Christopher Freeth, Andrew Maggs and Alex Driver are further key figures.

The team at Jones Day is led by ‘shrewd’ and seasoned patent disputes specialist Alastair McCulloch, and has experience representing multinational companies in infringement disputes, counseling pharma and biotech clients, and handling SEP/FRAND issues in the tech and telecoms sector. Tech patent expert Toby Sears arrived from CMS in October 2024, expanding the team’s offering in this area.

Providing services in filing and prosecution, transaction assistance, and litigation advice related to the full suite of IP rights, Lewis Silkin houses a team led by Tom Gaunt, whose remit spans patent litigation in the mechanical, electrical, and software spaces. The practice’s diverse client base includes a notable number of APAC-based companies. The group includes patent attorney and litigator Andy Cloughley, and Paul Williams, who handles instructions related to chemicals, life sciences products, and mechanical patents, including opposition, infringement, and validity work. Jonathan Hewett specialises in electronics and engineering patents.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP‘s London office houses an active non-contentious IP offering, handling large-scale patent-driven transactions, investments, and M&A for clients in the life sciences, tech, retail and consumer sectors, and more, as well as advising clients on matters concerning plant varieties and franchising issues. John Patten leads the group, supported by Alex Zapalowski.

Jointly led by Mark Kramer, who represents a varied client list across all courts, Nick McDonald, and Richard Roberts, who split their time between London and Nottingham, the patents team at Potter Clarkson LLP acts for well-established companies and individuals in pharma, life sciences, tech, and telecoms patent litigation, and advises on transactional mandates, from R&D agreements to joint ventures. Mark Nichols focuses on AI issues. Peter Finnie, especially recommended for his work with startups, is another name to note.

Elle Todd heads the patent-focused team at Reed Smith LLP, which takes on a range of contentious and non-contentious instructions from various innovation-driven clients. Litigator Jonathan Radcliffe has experience in FRAND disputes, and the ‘highly knowledgeable’ Philip Thomas‘ practice centres around advising hi-tech companies on strategic and transactional matters at the intersection of data, tech, and IP.

Under the leadership of versatile IP practitioner Tom Lingard, the patents group at Guildford-based firm Stevens & Bolton LLP specialises in international patent licensing deals, routinely receiving instructions from clients in the life sciences and pharmaceuticals sectors, and other innovative industries. The team, led by Charlotte Tillett, also advises on trade secrets, patent infringement, and know-how disputes, as well as on matters of commercialisation and the sale and purchase of IP. Tom Collins is another key team member.

The team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP‘s caseload includes IP-rich transactions, M&A, software licensing deals and supply agreements, acting for a diverse client base. Experienced trade marks, copyright and design specialist Mary Bagnall leads the team, which includes Caroline Young, a practitioner focused on transactions and tech-centred work.

Tommy McKenna heads up the patent group at Fieldfisher, which has experience advising on various IP issues, from patent infringements to parallel imports, and has a notable focus on medical devices and tech issues. Supporting McKenna is Christopher Leung, who handles an array of IP matters, from SPCs to passing off work. Victoria Bentley joined from Shoosmiths LLP in March 2025, bringing significant tech and life sciences litigation experience to the practice.

Non-contentious IP specialist Mike Knapper and tech disputes lawyer Jonathan Ball lead the IP offering at Norton Rose Fulbright, attracting clients operating in the fintech, retail and consumer, transport, and natural resources sector. Recent matters have featured licensing issues, patent litigation, and IP protection strategies.

With Andrew Brennan at the helm, the patent practice at Shoosmiths LLP advises an array of clients, notably those in the medical devices, tech, and automotive spheres, on various patent issues, from FTO projects, to patent infringement claims, licensing deals, and IP strategy. The team includes litigator Antony Craggs, and life sciences specialist Graham Burnett-Hall.