Life Sciences 2021 - Patent Litigation - Legal Marketplace Analysis

Methodology

The Global Elite Thought Leaders are those individuals who received the highest number of nominations from peers, corporate counsel and other market sources this year. Our research has identified them as truly outstanding practitioners and the very best in their field.

Who’s Who Legal does not list law firms, only individual lawyers. The leading firms are those in each region whose listed practitioners received the most total nominations in our research.

 

EMEA

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Dominic Adair - Bristows LLP, London
• Camilla Balleny – Carpmaels & Ransford, London
• Brian Cordery – Bristows LLP, London
• Simon Dack – Hoyng Rokh Monegier, Amsterdam
• Penny Gilbert - Powell Gilbert LLP, London
• Nicolai Lindgreen - Kromann Reumert, Copenhagen
• Marjan Noor - Allen & Overy LLP, London
• Tim Powell – Powell Gilbert LLP, London
• Christophe Ronse – ALTIUS, Brussels
• Sture Rygaard - Plesner Advokatpartnerselskab, Copenhagen
• Andreas von Falck - Hogan Lovells International LLP, Düsseldorf

Leading firms

 

Hoyng Rokh Monegier

Simon Dack is a pre-eminent life sciences specialist, with sources stating he is “a top lawyer” and “an absolute life sciences expert”.
Sabine Agé enjoys a stellar reputation as “a very efficient litigator in the market”. She has over 20 years of experience with cross-border patent litigation proceedings.
Willem Hoyng is a favourite among peers and clients, who readily recommend his as “a statesman of the field” and “a strong life sciences litigator”.
Amandine Métier is acknowledged by peers as “a young and talented litigator” with impressive skill in representing clients in telecoms and pharmaceutical disputes.
Peter Van Schijndel is recognised by market commentators as “a very good life sciences litigator” who focuses on pharmaceutical, biotech and medical devices cases.
Peers single out Benoît Strowel as “a strategic thinker who offers very innovative ideas”. He is admitted to the Paris and Brussels bars as a litigator.
Bart van den Broek is described by respondents as “an excellent litigator in the field”, well versed in international and domestic patent cases.
Liesbeth Weynants is “a great lawyer” who is “very knowledgeable in life sciences matters”, and regularly represents research-oriented pharmaceutical, medical devices and biotech companies.

Bristows

Brian Cordery ranks as one of Europe’s foremost patent specialists in the life sciences sector, with sources stating that he is “an outstanding litigator and a leader in his field”.
Dominic Adair is described as “a resourceful and active litigator, who is highly responsive and well versed in the life sciences”.
Robert Burrows earns recognition from peers across the EU as “a very strong patent litigator” who regularly coordinates parallel proceedings in the UK and EU.
Liz Cohen is lauded for her expertise in litigation and IP enforcement issues where she is “skilled and has a strong orientation towards targets”. One source adds: “Experience and a technical background allows Liz to be super competent and reliable.”

Powell Gilbert

Penny Gilbert enjoys a strong reputation as a leading patent litigator in the life sciences field. She is sought after for her skill representing clients throughout multi-jurisdictional litigation proceedings before the European Patent Office and UK’s Intellectual Property Office.
Tim Powell is an established name in Europe and North America when it comes to life science patent litigation, with over 30 years of experience in the field.
Bethan Hopewell is “very sensible to deal with” according to impressed sources who commend her deep expertise in patent licensing and litigation proceedings.
Zoë Butler is praised as “a hugely talented lawyer and a pleasure to work with” who is “smart, canny and knows her stuff” when it comes to international patent litigation and arbitration proceedings in the life sciences sector.

Hogan Lovells

Andreas von Falck is applauded as “an experienced and very innovative lawyer in life sciences patent litigation” and “a superstar of the field in Europe”.
Klaas Bisschop is highlighted by market commentators as “a very good life sciences litigator” with over 25 years of experience with litigation proceedings before Dutch and EU courts as well as ICC panels.
Stephen Bennett is respected by peers as “a good all-round lawyer” who always “adds a dose of gravitas to any life sciences case”.
Daniel Brook is lauded by respondents as “a fantastically clever lawyer”. He has experience representing clients before the UK’s highest courts on significant patent disputes.

Herbert Smith Freehills

Sophie Rich is relied upon by clients as “an extremely knowledgeable lawyer who is great to work with” and brings over 20 years of experience to life sciences matters.
Sebastian Moore is singled out by market commentators as a go-to life science patent litigator, who has experience representing clients in important proceedings before the CJEU.
Ina vom Feld is distinguished as “an experienced patent litigator and an expert in her field”. Her expertise in preliminary injunction proceedings before German courts and the EPO shines.
Mark Shillito is a strong choice for disputes in the European life sciences market. He has over 30 years of experience with high-value life sciences disputes.

Plesner Advokatpartnerselskab

Sture Rygaard is a keystone of the European life sciences market, with sources emphatically recommending the top-tier counsel he provides to pharmaceutical and biotech clients on patent issues.
Jeppe Brinck-Jensen has “a strong legal mind and vast experience with cross-border litigation, which shows in the apparent ease with which he takes on the legal issues” remark sources. One client notes: “He has shown a strong technical understanding we seldom see from external counsel.”
Mikkel Vittrup is readily endorsed by clients for life sciences and IP expertise, and has an impressive record advising clients on patent enforcement proceedings.
Peter-Ulrik Plesner is sought after by clients for is experience and skill with domestic and international patent disputes before the Danish supreme court, with respondents saying he is “a great of counsel”.

Simmons & Simmons

Scott Parker secures recommendations as a “a very sensible and knowledgeable practitioner” and “a really good patent litigator”. His practice focuses on contentious patent matters in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
Bas Berghuis van Woortman is known by commentators as “a key player in the market” and a “hands on lawyer in all his cases”. He heads the Netherlands’ IP practice and has over 20 years of experience to draw on.
Andrew Hutchinson has an impressive and diverse practice that encompasses patent litigation and regulatory matters pertaining to the life sciences field.
Amy Crouch is praised by market commentators as “a superstar senior associate who knows everything there is to know about biosimilar litigation”.

8 New Square

Daniel Alexander QC is one of the UK Bar’s standout patent litigation specialists, with enviable experience representing clients in pharmaceutical and biotechnology disputes.
Michael Tappin QC is a go-to name at the Bar for contentious patent proceedings. He has nearly 30 years of experience with disputes in the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
Charlotte May QC enjoys extensive endorsements for her work representing clients in patent infringement and validity matters before the English High Court.
William Duncan is a respected name among peers thanks to his excellent patent litigation work in the life sciences and telecommunications sectors.

Three New Square

Tom Mitcheson QC is an established name at the UK Bar for patent litigation proceedings, with sources stating he is “probably the leading silk in IP at the moment”.
Stuart Baran is endorsed by peers across Europe as a barrister who is “wise beyond his years of call and incredibly strong on life sciences tech matters”.
Respondents highlight Thomas Hinchliffe QC as a silk with “a giant brain” who is “excellent at SPC cases”. He brings over 20 years of experience with contentious patent matters.

Brinkhof

Richard Ebbink earns recognition from sources as “a brilliant lawyer and statesman of the field”, as well as “a very good life sciences litigator”.
Daan de Lange is identified by sources as being “at the top of the bill when it comes to patent litigation in the Netherlands”. His practice focuses on patent litigation in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.
Mark van Gardingen is “held in high esteem and is very active in the market” say peers. He stands out for his excellence in patent litigation in the pharmaceutical and chemical fields.

Other leading individuals

Belgium
Christophe Ronse at ALTIUS is singled out as “a very knowledgeable lawyer in the life sciences industry that is highly responsive”. He has over 30 years of experience representing clients at the domestic and international levels.

Kristof Roox of Crowell & Moring is “known for his representation of generics in patent litigation proceedings in the market” and is “quick, pragmatic, reasonable and sharp as a lawyer”.

Denmark
Kromann Reumert’s Nicolai Lindgreen is a first-class lawyer, appreciated by sources for achieving “excellent results defending patent infringement cases” and for being “a strong IP and patent lawyer”.

The “excellent” Nicolaj Bording commands a tremendous reputation in the Danish market for complex patent matters, as well as technology transfer and license agreement issues.

Bech-Brunn’s Klaus Ewald Madsen delivers “excellent resulting defending patent infringement matters” report peers, who commend his enviable experience with pharmaceutical and electronic patent disputes.

England

Marjan Noor with Allen & Overy is a stellar litigation specialist whom sources describe as “an excellent practitioner”. Her practice encompasses patent and regulatory matters in the life sciences sector.

Carpmaels & Ransford’s Camilla Balleny has “a great patent litigation practice” report respondents and brings commercial in-house experience from a biotech firm to her practice.
Jennifer Antcliff secures endorsements from market commentators as “an exceptional scientist and conscientious lawyer” and “one to look out for” in patent litigation.
Taylor Wessing’s Matthew Royle is appreciated by peers as “a brilliant, very good lawyer in the life sciences field” with the ability to effectively coordinate pan-European litigation proceedings.

Christopher Stothers at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is recommended by peers as “a good lawyer with strong international knowledge”. His practice encompasses IP, competition and regulatory issues.

At Kirkland & Ellis, Nicola Dagg is “a big name in the market”. She is sought after by clients for her expertise with small-molecule litigation, biologics and biosimilar proceedings and antibody matters.

France

Laëtitia Bénard at Allen & Overy is recognised by commentators as a “very good preliminary injunctions lawyer” in the French market. She focuses on domestic and cross-border patent litigation.

Denis Schertenleib of Cabinet Schertenleib is identified by sources as “a very impressive practitioner in the life sciences space” who is dual qualified to practice in France and England.

Germany

Kai Rüting with Vossius & Partner Patentanwälte Rechtsanwälte is a trusted and skilled patent litigation specialist, with impressive expertise in cross-border litigation proceedings.

At Rospatt Osten Pross, Thomas Musmann is lauded by market commentators as “a very good lawyer” who is “great to work with in difficult cases”.

Cordula Schumacher at Arnold Ruess Rechtsanwälte is described by respondents as “the number one in Germany” for patent litigation and intellectual property matters.

Israel

Liad Whatstein at Liad Whatstein & Co is recognised by commentators as “a leader in his field” who is “resourceful, active, highly responsive, and well versed in life sciences issues”.

Ireland

William Fry’s Laura Scott is identified by sources as a sterling patent litigator in the life sciences sector. Her practice spans the full range of patent, trademarks and copyright disputes.

Italy

Gabriel Cuonzo at Trevisan & Cuonzo comes highly recommended by peers in Italy for his outstanding work on biosimilar patent proceedings.

Netherlands

Gertjan Kuipers of De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek is considered a “very strong life sciences litigator”, whose practice is geared towards multi-jurisdictional patent litigation proceedings.

Rutger Kleemans with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is described by sources as “a highly respected, visible name in the Netherland’s life sciences market”.

Portugal

Paulo Monteverde at Baptista, Monteverde e Associado is recommended by commentators as “a consistent patent litigator with considerable experience in the life sciences field”.

António de Magalhăes Cardoso at VdA is “a very experienced and knowledgeable patent litigator”, sought after by international companies in the pharmaceutical sector for his patent expertise.

Spain

Clifford Chance SLPU’s Miquel Montañá is selected by respondents as “a leader in his field” and “the crème de la crème of patent litigation in Spain”.

Sweden

Sources state that Dag Sandart at Sandart & Partners Advokatbyrå is “among the top three patent lawyers in Sweden”, and is relied upon by clients for his skill with patent, trademark and copyright issues in the life sciences space.

Switzerland

Thierry Calame at Lenz & Staehelin is one of the Swiss market’s top IP specialists, readily endorsed by peers across Europe for his expertise handling patent litigation and arbitration proceedings within the life sciences sector.
Lara Dorigo is praised by market commentators for providing clients with "very convincing results" as well as being "a great litigator to work with".

Simon Holzer of Meyerlustenberger Lachenal distinguishes himself as a keystone of the patent litigation market when it comes to pharmaceuticals and medical devices matters.

Homburger’s Andri Hess is described by market commentators as "one of the best patent lawyers in Switzerland". He is renowned for his excellence in the litigation and arbitration of patent disputes in the life sciences sector.

Turkey

Özge Atılgan Karakulak with Gün + Partners is a go-to name in the life sciences sector who brings “business acumen and an understanding of parties in litigation proceedings”.

 

North America

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• David I Berl - Williams & Connolly LLP, Washington DC
• Andrew Brodkin – Goodmans LLP, Toronto
• Trevor Cook – WilmerHale, New York
• Dominique T Hussey – Bennett Jones LLP, Toronto
• Michael A Jacobs - Morrison & Foerster LLP, San Francisco
• Jeffrey P Kushan – Sidley Austin LLP, Washington DC
• Jason Markwell – Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Toronto
• Harry Radomski - Goodmans LLP, Toronto
• Kavita Ramamoorthy – Fineberg Ramamoorthy LLP, Toronto

Leading firms

Goodmans

Andrew Brodkin secures his place among Canada’s foremost patent litigators, with sources strongly recommending his skill with patent disputes before the jurisdiction’s highest courts.
Harry Radomski enjoys a formidable reputation among peers for his work as a patents trial specialist. He is a go-to name for litigating patent disputes before Canada’s Supreme Court.
Ben Hackett secures extensive endorsements from sources thanks to his remarkable work on patent validity and infringement proceedings, as well as damages and recovery matters.
Dino Clarizio secures impressive recommendations from peers thanks to his standout practice in pharmaceutical and chemical patent litigation matters.

Smart & Biggar

Gunars Gaikis is a top-drawer patent litigator with over 30 years of experience in contentious IP proceedings in the pharmaceutical sector as well as regulatory issues.
Steven Garland is respected for his considerable experience leading on patent disputes pertaining to the biochemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
Sheldon Hamilton wins considerable endorsements from sources, having impressed with his innovative representation of clients in the life sciences sector.
Nancy Pei impresses with her first-class life sciences practice, which focuses on patent litigation in the pharmaceutical and biologics sectors.

Torys

Andrew Shaughnessy is known for his outstanding work representing major life sciences and pharmaceutical companies in their Canadian patent disputes.
Andrew Bernstein is “a very intelligent lawyer” whose practice focuses on pharmaceutical patent disputes before Canada’s Supreme Court.
Yael Bienenstock is a highly respected lawyer, well versed in representing international pharmaceutical companies in their intellectual property matters before Canadian courts.

Osler Hoskin & Harcourt

Vincent de Grandpré has an enviable life sciences practice, which is geared towards advising clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors on contentious proceedings.
J Bradley White receives considerable endorsements from sources thanks to his strong record on complex patent litigation proceedings pertaining to the pharmaceutical sector.
Nathaniel Lipkus is described as “an experienced, knowledgeable and strong litigator” in the market, with a niche in life science and software patent eligibility issues.

Gowling WLG

Christopher Van Barr is singled out by peers as an established patent litigation specialist whose expertise lies in pharmaceutical, medical device and software IP matters.
Patrick Stewart Smith is respected and admired by peers for his patent litigation practice. He has over 20 years of experience with pharmaceutical, agricultural and biotech matters.
Ronald Dimock is appreciated by sources as a pillar of the Canadian market who is “well versed in the craft of patent litigation”.

Other leading individuals

Canada

Jason Markwell at Fasken is acknowledged by commentators as an elite patent litigator, who has proven his skill representing domestic and multinational corporations.
Dominique Hussey of Bennett Jones is widely endorsed by market commentators for her world-class practice, which focuses on the litigation of pharmaceutical and biotechnology patents.
Kavita Ramamoorthy with Fineberg Ramamoorthy is deemed an outstanding lawyer in the Canadian market, with extensive know-how regarding pharmaceutical patent disputes.

Aitken Klee’s Bryan Norrie comes with resounding endorsements from market commentators for his patent dispute practice, which is enhanced by his expertise in neuroscience and biomedical engineering.

Jamie Mills at Borden Ladner Gervais has wide-ranging experience with pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical patent issues before Canada’s highest courts.

USA

Trevor Cook with WilmerHale is singled out as a tremendous patent litigator with over 35 years of experience handling contentious patent proceedings on an international level.

Jeffrey Kushan of Sidley Austin ranks among the USA’s foremost patent litigators, and brings enviable experience representing clients before the jurisdiction’s highest courts.

David Berl with Williams & Connolly enjoys sweeping endorsements from sources and is distinguished as one of the best patent litigators the US market has to offer.

Aaron Maurer is a stalwart of the US patent litigator market with top-flight experience representing patentees and alleged infringers in proceedings across the pharmaceutical, biomedical and molecular biology sectors.

Morrison & Foerster’s Michael Jacobs is a favourite among sources when it comes to complex and high-profile patent litigation in the US pertaining to the life sciences and technology sectors.

David Frazier of Latham & Watkins is recognised as an accomplished figure when it comes to the litigation of patent disputes, with a special focus on antibody issues.

 

Latin America

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Otto B Licks - Licks Attorneys, Rio de Janeiro
• Gustavo de Freitas Morais - Dannemann Siemsen, São Paulo

Leading individuals

Brazil

Otto Licks with Licks Attorneys is lauded by respondents as “a pioneer in the market” and “an outstanding and active life sciences litigator”.

Dannemann Siemsen’s Gustavo de Freitas Morais is very active in patent disputes and distinguishes himself in his representation of clients in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and biotechnology sectors.

Daniel Law’s Ricardo Dutra Nunes is described as “an outstanding and active litigator in the life sciences space” who is “thorough, highly responsive and very knowledgeable of the industry”.

Colombia

Carlos Olarte at OlarteMoure is singled out by market commentators as “a very well-known and respected patent litigator in Colombia”.

Andrés Rincón of Cavelier Abogados is considered “a resourceful and active litigator, who is highly responsive and very knowledgeable of the life sciences industry”.

Mexico

At Olivares y Compañía, Alejandro Luna F is singled out by peers in Mexico as “a leader in his field” and is “a resourceful and responsive life sciences litigator”.

Peru

At Fernandez-Davila Abogados, Carlos Fernández-Dávila Winkler possesses “impressive knowledge of regulations, the authorities and the life sciences industry in general” and “delivers on his promises, while working efficiently and quickly”.

 

Asia-Pacific

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Frederick Ch’en - Hogan Lovells Horitsu Jimusho Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo, Tokyo
• Grant Fisher - Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Melbourne
• Odette Gourly – Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Sydney
• Matthew Swinn - King & Wood Mallesons, Melbourne
• Tony Yeo - Drew & Napier LLC, Singapore

Leading firms

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

Grant Fisher takes a place among Australia’s leading patent litigators by securing expensive recommendations from peers across the Asia-Pacific and European markets.
Odette Gourley is a highly respected patent litigator whose practice encompasses all forms of IP dispute pertaining to the pharmaceutical, medical devices and biotechnology sectors.

Drew & Napier

Tony Yeo has “impressive width and depth of knowledge” and provides “practical solutions while considering client’s interests at the same time”.
Meryl Koh is “at the top of the list for patent litigators” and represents an enviable clientele in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors in their contentious IP matters.
Benjamin Gaw is a well-regarded name in Singapore for patent disputes in the life sciences and healthcare sectors report sources.

King & Wood Mallesons

Matthew Swinn is a standout name in the Australian market, thanks to his stellar work representing high-profile life sciences companies in their patent disputes.
Wenping Chen is a leader of Chinese patent litigation, with peers readily endorsing his work representing clients in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and biochemical fields.
Kim O’Connell is a respected IP specialist in Australia, with special skill in pharmaceutical, biotech and health patent disputes, as well as regulatory issues.

Bird & Bird

Alison Wong is a keystone of the Asia-Pacific patent litigation market with over 20 years of experience representing pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices clients.
Matthew Laight is an established name in the life sciences market report sources, with over 25 years of experience with contentious patent proceedings.
Alban Kang enjoys an exceptional reputation in Singapore among peers for his considerable experience in complex, cross-border patent proceedings.

 

Other leading individuals

Australia

Wayne Condon at Biopharmalex wins extensive endorsements for his first-class patent litigation practice and possesses over 40 years of experience in the life sciences sector.

Shaun McVicar of Herbert Smith Freehills is a go-to litigation specialist in Australia say commentators, with over 25 years of experience with pharmaceutical disputes.

At Allens, Sarah Matheson shines as a contentious IP specialist, whose practice focuses on patent infringement and validity issues as well as licensing matters.

China

Nick Beckett with CMS “is always quickly available, efficient, and provides complete and solution-oriented advice” report sources.

India

Pravin Anand at Anand and Anand is a star of in the Indian market for contentious IP matters, with over 40 years of experience in the field.

Japan

Hogan Lovells’ Frederick Ch’en is “very active in Japan’s life sciences industry” and brings strong experience to multi-jurisdictional patent litigation proceedings.

Eiji Katayama at Abe Ikubo & Katayama is “a recognised practitioner in the life sciences IP space”, with over 30 years of experience with patent litigation proceedings.