Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons is a full-service international firm with a UK IP team that can advise on IP disputes, protection and transactional matters. It is one of a handful of law firms in the UK that has patent attorneys. IP transactions specialist Michael Gavey heads the firm’s IP practice.

The most senior patent litigators in the practice are Michael Burdon, Kevin Mooney and Scott Parker. Other notable IP litigators are Andrew Hutchinson and Priya Nagpal. Kevin Cordina is the key contact for the firm’s patent prosecution work. The partners are supported by a team of junior lawyers, notably Amy Crouch (for litigation) and Lydia Torne (for transactional work). 

Adrian Smith and Darren Meale are the key contacts for soft IP work, particularly trade marks. Another notable practitioner for trade mark work is Rebecca Heard, who is a qualified trade mark attorney. Angus McLean, who heads the FinTech group, is also recommended for IP transactions.

2023

"Excellent technical skills coupled with reliable, balanced advice."

"John Slater manages a team of attorneys and paralegals in the Simmons & Simmons Hong Kong and London offices who primarily do work for us. This means almost round the clock coverage during Asia and European business hours. The team is able to leverage their experience and work they do for the group around the world (including those where they act as an intermediary) and offer strategic advice to us having regard to issues that might affect the rest of our portfolio. An effective one-stop-service for us."

"They are competent and efficient and offer tailored advice."

"We like their high-quality and swift response."

"They are personable, professional and have a fantastic grasp of highly complex agreements, presenting clear and concise advice."

"The firm's experience within the areas in question set them apart, as does their ability to provide assistance of the highest quality in a number of European jurisdictions."

Trade mark case studies show the firm has advised companies such as Hermes, Monzo, Virgin, and Samsung. IP Star and former Hogan Lovells' partner Joel Smith joined the firm in 2024.

Patent case studies show the firm has worked for clients such as Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline and Bose. Life sciences patent attorney Lawrence King left the firm in 2023.