Potter Clarkson has once again been recognised as a top-tier operator in the latest The Legal 500 UK Solicitors 2023 rankings, which bills itself as the clients’ guide to the best law firms, attorneys and solicitors in the UK.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Firm: Tier 1
Leading individuals: Nick McDonald, Richard Roberts
Rising stars: Georgia Carr
The guide states: Nick McDonald is a recognised name in IP litigation, representing household names in the pharmaceutical, electronics and food and drink sectors in multijurisdictional patent litigation. Equally knowledgeable in non-contentious IP, he advises on copyright, database rights, electronics patents and the interplay between IP and competition law. Richard Roberts is another top litigator in high-profile patent, trade mark and copyright cases. Oliver Laing heads the IP licensing practice. Georgia Carr is active on mandates in the open-source software and in the data protection sphere.
Testimonials:
“Very responsive and accurate timely advice. Knowledgeable and very supportive during difficult negotiations.”
“Potter Clarkson seem to go out of their way to be particularly helpful to us as a client and genuinely care about both us as a client and obtaining the best outcome for us in all cases.”
PATMA: PATENT ATTORNEYS
Firm: Tier 2
The guide states: Potter Clarkson LLP takes a cross-disciplinary approach to assist its client roster, including start-ups, SMEs and international corporates, on patent drafting and prosecution matters arising out of the life sciences, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sectors in particular, as well as the chemistry, consumer products, engineering and electronic industries. The team, which continues to focus on consolidating its presence in the UK and Nordic countries, also has demonstrable experience in opposition and appeal proceedings before the EPO. In the firm’s Nottingham offices, managing partner Steve Smith leads the practice alongside Charlotte Crowhurst, Caroline Marshall, Jane Wainwright and London-based Peter Finnie. Stephanie Pilkington stepped down from partnership in December 2021 and now acts as a consultant, and Helen Johnstone retired in January 2022. Key clients include Danish multinational pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, Acacia Pharma and Alligator Bioscience, among others.
Testimonials:
"Fiona Law is essential to have on board as part of any patent strategy. We consider her to be part of our business and she has a great understanding of what it is that the company is trying to achieve, in regards to its IP/patent portfolio."
"Sheena Linehan’s background as a biochemist and immunologist has proved to be of great benefit to our business when prosecuting patents. Quite simply we would not look elsewhere for advice."
PATMA: TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS
Firm: Tier 1
The guide states: Potter Clarkson LLP provides a cross-disciplinary service to clients across the life sciences, food and beverage, agritech, consumer goods and engineering sectors, ranging from start-ups and SMEs, to international corporates and investors. The firm continues to consolidate its presence in the Nordics, with expanding offices in Denmark and Sweden. Following Brexit, the team has seen an increase in certain mandates in its workload, from handling UK clones and customs enforcement actions to strategic management and the development of trade mark portfolios. With opposition proceedings taking up a large proportion of its caseload, the team also continues to grow its online brand protection services. Following the retirement of Janella Barr in February 2022, Nottingham-based Sanjay Kapur solely leads the practice, while Emmy Hunt and Sarah Talland, who operate from the firm’s London office, remain key members of the team.
