Profile: Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird - Who's Who Legal '70'

What is the Who's Who Legal '70'?

In the patents research seven practitioners feature, two in the chapter’s “most highly nominated” list. Trevor Cook in London leads the way, receiving more votes than any other lawyer in the chapter.

“One of the leading lights” in IP law, he has special expertise in IT, pharmaceutical and biotechnology patents. IP co-head Morag MacDonald also appears in the list of elite practitioners, gaining special mention for her involvement in pan-European cases. Life sciences “authority” Gerald Kamstra and litigation expert Neil Jenkins complete the London contingent. In Brussels, Bruno Vandermeulen is an “excellent technician”; Düsseldorf-based Wolfgang von Meibom was described as “one of the best patent litigators in Europe” by one interviewee. Operating from the Beijing and Hong Kong offices, Matthew Laight was praised for his representation of large multinationals.

Cook, Von Meibom and Laight also appear in the trademark chapter alongside MacDonald. She was again chosen in the list of elite practitioners, receiving special praise for her high-tech expertise. Jane Mutimear is “very good and extremely active in the area of internet and domain names” and litigation partner Peter Brownlow received praise from competitors. Matthew Laight appears again in Hong Kong and Paris-based Isabelle Leroux is also recommended for her internet expertise. She completes the contingent in this chapter, bringing the total to eight.

COMMUNICATIONS
Bird & Bird earns a further seven entries in the regulatory communications chapter. Four hail from London: the firm’s CEO, David Kerr, was described as “the big name” in the London market.

Kerr heads the “top-notch” international communications group. Gill Andrews’s international practice is well regarded and Rhys Williams is said to be someone who “really knows his stuff”. Graeme Maguire has “hands on experience with Ofcom” – the result of various high-level secondments. Frédérique Dupuis-Toubol received the most nominations in France for her “impressive regulatory practice”.

Marjolein Geus is joint managing partner in The Hague and Johan Tydén is head of the Stockholm communications group.

INTERNET & E-COMMERCE
Internet and e-commerce is another practice area in which the firm achieves a sizeable representation. Hilary Pearson is an “established and respected” lawyer. London practitioner Graham Smith is known for his counsel on liability issues. In Brussels, Catherine Erkelens advises IT and non-IT clients on a range of issues. Frédérique Dupuis-Toubol achieves her second listing in this book and extends her regulatory practice to the IT sector. Also in Paris, Stéphane Lemarchand is noted for his litigation expertise. Managing partner of Bird & Bird Madrid Javier Fernández-Samaniego was described as “fantastic”. Stockholm lawyer Jim Runsten is head of the IT, privacy, data protection and outsourcing groups at the office.

AVIATION AND PRODUCT LIABILITY
Vonnick le Guillou, in Paris, was commended for both her product liability and aviation practices, where she received a warm response from peers. One respondent to the survey admired her “ability to leverage years of experience in the industry and total familiarity with the domestic and international framework in which we operate.” Jörgen Ekström in Stockholm is particularly well known for his commercial aviation expertise.

Lawyers from the firm appear in our lists for three other practice areas. Franchise partner Shirley Kwok is well respected; Caterina Rucci operates from the Milan office and is recognised as a management labour and employment expert. Bird & Bird’s final listed practitioner, Michelle de Rijke, hails from The Hague, where her strong regulatory expertise earns her a place in the oil and gas chapter.