Most Highly Regarded Firms: Patents 2010

• May 2010

• Patents

Our research has revealed 555 patent law experts in 54 jurisdictions who can truly be considered leaders in the field.

International Leaders

Three law firms have performed excellently throughout the research. Bird & Bird have the most listings with 25 lawyers from eight jurisdictions. In London, Trevor Cook is the world’s most highly rated patent lawyer. He is president of the UK group of the international association of the protection of industrial property and is considered “the dean of patent law”. Morag Macdonald is joint head of the firm’s international intellectual property group and recently has been involved in the coordination of various pan-European patent actions. Jane Mutimear specialises in electronic, mechanical, chemical and pharmaceutical patent litigation and Neil Jenkins is a “terrific” litigator. Gerald Kamstra focuses on the life sciences sector and is “highly knowledgeable”.

At the firm’s offices in Düsseldorf, Wolfgang von Meibom is an “extremely experienced lawyer with an enormous tactical sense and quick technical understanding”. He is chairman of Bird & Bird’s offices in Germany and has been involved in many high-profile patent cases in the electronic, life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors. Christian Harmsen is head of the firm’s German intellectual property practice group and over the past 10 years has led and coordinated multinational proceedings for clients such as Honeywell, Electrolux and Caterpillar. The patent litigation expertise in Düsseldorf is backed up by Oliver Jan Jüngst who is co-head of the international electronics group.

Wouter Pors is head of the firm’s IP group in The Hague and handles a wide range of patent disputes that include mechanical, software and business method patents and biotech issues. Bruno Vandermeulen heads the intellectual property department in Brussels and has unique expertise in Belgian cross-border patent litigation. In Lyons, Yves Bizollon is joint head of the firm’s IP practice in France and has acted for a number of clients that range from small highly specialised companies to larger organisations.

Senior counsel Giovanni Gozzo is based in Stockholm and specialises in technology-related patent litigation in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics and mechanical engineering sectors. Massimiliano Mostardini is founding partner of the firm’s Milan office and advises clients in the telecommunications industry while Giovanni Galimberti has handled numerous pan-European patent cases for national and international clients. In Singapore Alban Kang is managing partner of ATMD Bird & Bird LLP and represents major software companies, computer manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies.

Howrey LLP has a strong contingent of 16 lawyers from seven jurisdictions. In Amsterdam, Willem Hoyng is managing partner of the firm in Europe and is regarded as a “very big name”. He advises clients on their European patent strategy and in coordinating and conducting European patent litigation. Bart van den Broek is managing partner and one of the founders of the Amsterdam office and focuses his practice in the electronics, communications and life sciences sectors.

Joachim Feldges is managing partner of the firm’s Munich office and specialises in complex patent litigation in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Mark Hodgson is a “definite for inclusion” and is managing partner at the firm’s London office. Richard Willoughby specialises in advising clients on the conduct and management of multi-jurisdictional patent litigation in Europe in a number of industries, some of which include the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, polymer and electrical goods sectors.

Managing partner at the firm’s operations in Paris, Marina Cousté is regarded as a “significant patent lawyer” known for her expertise in pharmaceuticals, high-technology patents, biotechnology and life science industrial property. The “brilliant” Denis Monégier du Sorbier advises well-known French companies and major multinational clients with IP assets in the country. Carl De Meyer is head of the firm’s intellectual property group in Brussels and represents clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, food and toy manufacturers and producers of electronic equipment. In Houston, John Lynch is a “fantastic lawyer” and has successfully tried jury and non-jury cases over the past 30 years and represents clients in all courts including the US Supreme Court.

Lovells has doubled the number of its listings since our 2008 edition to 16 inclusions from nine jurisdictions ranging from New York, Milan, Warsaw and Hong Kong. In Düsseldorf, the “superb” Andreas von Falck is the firm’s most highly rated patent lawyer and he handles cases

in all German courts and the European Patent Office. He specialises in the pharmaceutical, medical devices and high-tech industries. Bert Oosting is a “top guy” and heads the intellectual property and information group as well as the pharmaceutical group of the Amsterdam office. The Düsseldorf office is further backed up by Martin Fähndrich, who is well regarded for his technical expertise as a qualified engineer, and Clemens Plassmann, who has particular expertise in coordinating multi-jurisdictional patent disputes in Europe.

In London, Nicholas Macfarlane is a consultant for the firm and has 25 years of experience in the field. His expertise is in the pharmaceutical industry and he advises leading companies based in the US and UK. The “talented” Stephen Bennett has recently acted for Merck & Co in relation to its Fosamax and Zocor blockbusters and for Eli Lilly in relation to its gemcitabine product.

Dominique Ménard is the only inclusion from the firm’s Paris office and represents multinational companies in international patent disputes. In Hong Kong, Henry Wheare heads the Asia intellectual property group and has 30 years of experience in the field.

North America

Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP performs excellently in the research and has nine lawyers listed from its offices in the US, more than any other firm in North America. The firm has a strong contingent of lawyers based in Washington, DC. Donald Dunner is one of the most highly rated lawyers throughout the research and practises in all aspects of patent law. He specialises in the chemical engineering, chemistry, biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields and has had much success in overturning jury and other verdicts handed down by lower district courts. Ford Farabow Jr specialises in the chemistry pharmaceutical, chemical engineering and materials science fields. One of our sources notes that “Ford’s clear-cut advice commands respect at all levels.” Brian Brunsvold has served as lead counsel in a number of patent infringement cases before federal district courts and has significant experience in counselling clients in patent misuse. The “exceptional” David Hill acts for clients in numerous patent infringement trials and appeals. In Reston, Charles Lipsey’s expertise covers the mechanical, chemical and electronically technologies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Fitzpatrick Cella Harper & Scinto has eight lawyers listed from the firm’s New York office. Robert Baechtold is one of the founding partners of the firm and heads the pharmaceuticals and chemicals litigation group. He has 40 years of experience in the field, and his clients include Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca and Sanofi-Aventis. Lawrence Scinto is also a founding partner and for the past 35 years has been advising clients in a number of specialised issues such as petroleum additives, explosives, paints, plastics and elastomers. Founding partner Joseph Fitzpatrick has served as lead counsel on behalf of major multinational and US corporations for the past 40 years. The “very sharp” Anthony Zupcic is chair of the firm’s patent prosecution practice group and has worked in a number of areas such as medical devices, computer hardware, flat panel displays, semiconductors and electro-photography.

In Canada, Smart & Biggar/Fetherstonhaugh stands out in the research, with six lawyers listed. In Ottawa, John Bochnovic is a “sound lawyer” and has extensive experience in multi-jurisdictional litigation involving parties in the US and Europe. Steven Garland advises clients on chemical, biochemical, biotechnological, telephony, mechanical and industrial subject matters. François Guay is based in Montreal and represents clients before the courts of Quebec and the Federal Court of Canada. He has vast experience in interim and interlocutor injunctions and seizures before judgment. In Vancouver, Michael Manson is “certainly a leader” and represents clients before the Federal Court of Canada, the Supreme Court of Ontario and the British Columbia Supreme Court. In Toronto, the “very bright” John Morrissey recently acted as counsel on a major patent infringement action in which a large pharmaceutical company was awarded over $23 million in an accounting of profits. Also in Toronto, Donald MacOdrum at Lang Michener LLP is considered a “superbly talented” patent litigator. He has acted as counsel in a number of areas, some of which include the pharmaceuticals, electronics, information technology and commercial product sectors.

A founding partner of Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP, Don Martens is based in Irvine and is counsel to the firm. He has 40 years’ experience in the field and is one of the most highly regarded individuals in the research. At Irell & Manella LLP in Los Angeles, the “very impressive” Morgan Chu has been a member of the firm’s executive committee since 1985 and chairs the litigation group. He was lead trial counsel in the City of Hope v Genentech case in which the jury verdict was the largest ever damage award affirmed on appeal by Californian courts. Daniel Bereskin QC is a founding partner of Bereskin & Parr and is highly rated for his “profound knowledge” in providing strategic advice to clients across a variety of industries.

Europe

Bristows has a “superb reputation” for its patent practice. The firm yields seven listings from its offices in London. Sally Field is a “first-class” lawyer and is one of the highest-rated individuals. She has particular expertise in the pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, medical devices and mechanical industries. Edward Nodder has 30 years’ experience in patent litigation and is head of the firm’s IP department. He has secured landmark decisions that include 3M v Rennicks regarding validity and infringement, stay of injunction and damages. Philip Westmacott has substantial experience in the information technology sector and is well regarded for his “technical ability”. Alan Johnson has 25 years of experience advising clients on technically complex disputes in the life sciences and industrial sectors. Myles Jelf, Elizabeth Cohen and Brian Cordery add significant value to this strong contingent of lawyers.

Reimann Osterrieth Köhler & Haft is the most highly regarded firm in Germany. Six lawyers are identified from the firm from its offices in Düsseldorf. Thomas Reimann is an “outstanding” lawyer, he specialises in all technical fields and acts on behalf of his clients before the national German courts and coordinates multinational litigation. Klaus Haft focuses on standard related litigation, electronics and optoelectronics, software and general mechanics. He is well regarded for his “highly technical” expertise. Christian Osterrieth represents a number of global clients in the electronics, computer, medical devices and pharmaceutical industries while Martin Köhler regularly litigates for clients in the electronics, mechanical, chemical engineering, automotive, pharmaceutical and medical devices industries.

Taylor Wessing LLP has five lawyers from its London office listed. Richard Price is a “solid” lawyer, recent major cases include assisting Asahi Chemical Co in its successful appeal to the House of Lords in relation to a cancer-inhibiting genetic engineering patent. James Marshall is considered a “bright and high-quality individual” and acts for clients in a range of industries including the pharmaceuticals, engineering, electronics, biotechnology and motor industries. Simon Cohen focuses on the pharmaceutical industry and acted for Amgen and Johnson & Johnson in the extensive patents litigation relating to the genetic code sequence of erythropoetin.

Simmons & Simmons has a highly respectable and “world-class” patent practice. Two lawyers from the firm, Kevin Mooney and Rowan Freeland, are among the most highly rated individuals in the world. Mooney focuses his work specifically in the pharmaceuticals industry. He is past president and currently a member of the advisory board of the European patent lawyers association. Rowan Freeland has substantial expertise in the pharmaceutical, medical devices, chemical, electronics and telecommunications industries. He recently obtained an interim injunction under a patent for a crystal form of an important dermatology product for LEO Pharma against Sandoz. The firm is further supported by Bas Berghuis van Woortman and Marc Döring.

Pierre Véron at his own firm, Véron & Associés, is based in Paris and is one of the most highly rated individuals worldwide. He is considered “the star in France” and a “dean” in the patent field. In Munich, Jochen Pagenberg has a “great mind” and is senior member and co-founder of Bardehle Pagenberg. He focuses on the mechanical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, electronic and software fields.

Rest of the World

In New Zealand three lawyers are listed from A J Park. In Wellington, Greg Arthur is managing partner of the firm and heads the litigation team. He focuses primarily on the pharmaceutical industry. In Auckland, David Jones co-leads the firm’s mechanical and manufacturing, and life sciences teams. He regularly advises clients in the food, construction and fertiliser industries.

Allens Arthur Robinson stands out in our research in Australia with four lawyers featured. Philip Kerr is a “superb communicator in court”. Based in Sydney, he is head of the firm’s intellectual property group and acts for a number of clients such as Sanofi-Aventis, the Purdue Pharma Group and Capral. In Melbourne, Michael Dowling is very highly regarded, as is Sarah Matheson.

Irfan & Irfan has two listings from its offices in Lahore. M Farrukh Irfan Khan and Hasan Irfan Khan are both rated highly for their “client friendly” expertise.

Dr Shlomo Cohen & Co has two inclusions. In Tel Aviv, Shlomo Cohen is known for his “strong presence in court” while the “very sharp” Liad Whatstein is head of the firm’s litigation practice.

In Kuala Lumpur, Shearn Delamore & Co have two lawyers listed. Managing partner Wong Sai Fong and Karen Abraham have been recommended for their “business savvy”.

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