Global law firm boosts London IP team
Team addition brings new contentious IP skills to London | Follows announcement that California-based law firm will join Morrison Foerster | Brown Rudnick | Durie Tangri.
Morrison Foerster has announced the addition of a four-strong IP team led by Steven James, who joins as a partner in its litigation department in London.
The team—which in addition to James, includes of counsel Ruth Arkley and senior associate Hattie Chessher—joins from Brown Rudnick.
They bring experience across the full spectrum of IP rights, including trade secrets, patents, trademarks, passing-off, copyright, designs, confidential information, and domain names.
They also have broad experience in handling a wide range of disputes and commercial matters, and manage worldwide trademark, design and patent portfolios. James has more than 15 years of experience advising clients on complex contentious and non-contentious IP, technology, and commercial law mandates, with a focus on new technologies and innovation.
He predominantly advises clients in the technology, financial services, life sciences, retail and luxury goods, food and beverage, and media sectors. He has a broad practice, from leading on trade secret, patent, passing off, copyright, and trademark disputes to counselling clients on the development of IP and branding strategies, and on approaches for licensing and the enforcement of IP rights.
In addition, James has experience advising on defamation, and on the IP, technology, and data protection aspects of a wide range of commercial, corporate, and M&A transactions.
James has conducted matters before the UK Intellectual Property Offic e, the European Union Intellectual Property Office, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court of England and Wales, the High Court and Court of Appeal of England and Wales, and the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Paul Friedman, Morrison Foerster’s managing partner for Europe, said: “IP is a core strength of Morrison Foerster globally. Further strengthening and deepening our IP practice in London has long been a strategic priority, and we have been looking for the right, high-calibre team. Steven and the team will be terrific additions to the London office and our powerhouse global IP litigation group.
"Steven’s experience and established client base strongly align with our sector focus across tech and life sciences, making him the perfect choice to lead our new London contentious IP practice.”
Arkley joins the firm as of counsel, bringing more than eight years of IP, technology, and commercial law experience, with a particular focus on innovative technologies and data protection.
Chessher joins as an associate: she has more than eight years of experience advising on IP and commercial law, including trademark, passing off and copyright disputes, trademark portfolio management and transactional matters.
“Morrison Foerster’s renowned global IP litigation practice and its dynamic, growing London office were major draws for me,” said James.
“The firm’s incredible depth and quality of IP lawyers and litigators globally, combined with its best-in-class reputation across technology, life sciences, and other innovative industries, made it a compelling proposition for me and the team.
“We are excited to collaborate with colleagues across MoFo’s global platform to advise clients on their most challenging matters and contribute to the growth of the firm’s IP practice on the ground in London. It is a huge privilege to be here, and the team and I are thrilled to be given the opportunity to build out the IP group’s capabilities in London at such an exciting time in the firm’s history.”
This development follows the announcement of litigation boutique firm Durie Tangri joining Morrison Foerster effective from January 1, 2023. Thirty-six Durie Tangri lawyers are anticipated to join the firm, including 12 partners.
Eric McCrath , chair of Morrison Foerster, said: “Welcoming Steven and his team shortly after announcing our combination with Durie Tangri on the West Coast is another significant step in doubling down on our core IP capabilities and further evidence of our commitment to serving clients at the cutting-edge of technology and life sciences across the globe. We are thrilled to welcome them to MoFo.”
