Simmons & Simmons - The Who's Who Legal 100 2012

What is the Who's Who Legal 100?

The firm’s integrated approach to its specialist practice areas is demonstrated by the fact that four of the lawyers who appear in the life sciences chapter also appear in the patents section. Marc Döring has acted on behalf of Bayer Pharma in patent revocation proceedings relating to Bayer Pharma’s patents for blockbuster female oral contraceptive products. Commentators describe him as having “a first-rate understanding of clients’ needs”. The “brilliant” Rowan Freeland has represented Cephalon in patent infringement proceedings in the UK against Mylan and Orchid, and has “superior knowledge” of the pharmaceutical industry. Marjan Noor counts Eli Lilly as one of a number of illustrious clients. Peers admire her “dedication and willingness to go the extra mile for clients”. Kevin Mooney has acted for Sanofi-aventis in proceedings relating to Plavix, one of the largest-selling drugs in the world, and is widely dubbed “the dean” of patent law by respondents to our survey.

Five other practitioners are recognised for their life sciences expertise, including Richard Binns, who has acted on behalf of Ascendis Pharma and “really knows his stuff”, according to one source. The “fantastic” Mark Curtis advised on a number of securities offerings and mergers and acquisitions transactions in the healthcare market, while Alexandre Regniault practises from the Paris office and is considered “very talented” by those we canvassed.

Two additional lawyers are listed in the patents chapter. Lewis Ho is a partner in the Shanghai office and has advised various technology companies, including Qualcomm, Dover Corporation and Power Integrations in patent infringement and invalidation actions in Asia. Amsterdam-based Bas Berghuis van Woortman is assisting Samsung in its ongoing dispute with Apple and has “a first-class reputation”.

The firm also performs well in the regulatory communications chapter, earning four inclusions. Alexander Shepherd is based in Dubai and is head of the firm’s TMT practice in the Middle East. Sources are impressed by his “exceptionally wide knowledge of the sector” and describe him as “a top lawyer in the UAE”. Florence Guthfreund-Roland leads the information, communication and technology practice in Paris and regularly advises and litigates on behalf of multinational companies on a variety of matters including telecommunications, technology, data privacy, data security, internet and e-commerce.

Four lawyers from the London office feature in the private funds chapter. Iain Cullen focuses particularly on structuring hedge funds and advising hedge fund managers. He has advised on the establishment of some of the largest and best-known UK hedge fund managers and is “hugely respected” by respondents to our survey. Richard Perry is “incredibly bright” and his recent work includes acting for Henderson Global Investors on the establishment of their hedge funds in Cayman and Luxembourg. Miles Alexander’s work is described as “masterly” and Neil Simmonds is lauded as a “standout lawyer with a great practice”.

Fiona Loughrey is one of a trio of practitioners listed in the management labour and employment chapter. She advises financial institutions and other multinationals on a range of contentious employment matters, including termination disputes and injunctions and her “premier practice” has earned the respect of our sources.

The team at Simmons & Simmons bring their considerable expertise to numerous other practice areas, with 10 offices fielding representatives in a further 12 chapters. International diversity and a commitment to productive collaboration combine to make this firm a real global star.