Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP - The Who's Who Legal 100 2012

What is the Who's Who Legal 100?

The firm stands out in the internet and e-commerce chapter, a key sector for the firm, where seven “outstanding” practitioners are noted for their knowledge and skills. Notable work of this practice group includes advising BBC, ITV, Channel 4, BT, TalkTalk, Arqiva and Channel 5 on the ground-breaking YouView venture, which established a standards-based, open internet-connected TV environment. The London office fields four lawyers, among whom Eduardo Ustaran is “highly regarded” by peers and clients alike. Ustaran is head of the privacy and information law group and excels in the fields of data protection and e-commerce. David Naylor receives high praise for his “business-focused advice” and specialises in advising businesses and investors in the sector on all internet and e-commerce matters. Naylor receives further praise in the regulatory communication sector. Felix Wittern, located in the Hamburg office, advises national and international internet companies on data protection issues. In Paris, Bruno Ducoulombier is commended for his “first rate” work, while in Brussels Emmanuel Roger France advises on both contentious and non-contentious aspects of IT and data protection and is also recognised in the business crime defence chapter.

The firm’s IP practice encompasses patents and trademarks and is “internationally renowned”. Four lawyers appear in the trademarks chapter, including the “superb” Nick Rose, head of the firm’s intellectual property and technology dispute resolution group and Allan Poulter who is dual-registered as a trademark attorney and solicitor, and described as a “leading light” in our research. In the patents section, two of the firm’s latest hires are listed. Mark Hodgson stands out in the research as a “talented litigator” who specialises in advising pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology companies. Joachim Feldges, managing partner of Germany, who has over 24 years’ experience of patent litigation with a focus on pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, is also highly nominated. Both make a further appearances in the life sciences chapter alongside Paris-based Olivier Lantrès, and Claudio Mereu, who is located in Brussels.

In the franchise chapter, three lawyers from the London office feature prominently. Mark Abell, a “leading individual”, earns recognition for his practice, which covers the interlink between franchising and the exploitation of IP rights, covering matters such as sponsorship, merchandising and technology transfer.

In the environment chapter, three lawyers based in Brussels are listed, including the “excellent” Ruxandra Cana, who specialises in advising on EU regulatory compliance.

Additional representations are made by Stefan Nerinckx, praised for both his management labour and employment and corporate immigration expertise, and Pierre Frühling, who is a “top name” in the field of aviation.

Field Fisher Waterhouse excels in its core strengths of corporate, regulatory, IP and technology demonstrating the success of the firm’s commitment to these areas.