Mishcon hires Bird & Bird patent litigator
Mishcon de Reya has hired Helen Conlan as a partner in the firm’s new innovation department.
Conlan, a patent litigator was previously a partner in the IP litigation practice at Bird & Bird.
Her 17 years of IP litigation experience includes expertise in multi-jurisdictional patent litigation and trade secrets disputes.
Conlan has represented clients at all levels of patent proceedings in the UK and opposition proceedings before the European Patent Office.
She is also an officer of the IP and Entertainment Law Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA), with responsibility for the award of IBA scholarships.
“I’m delighted to be joining Mishcon de Reya and the newly-formed innovation department,” said Conlan.
“It’s a pleasure to be joining a team with a shared vision, drive and ambition that matches my own energy and commitment to the delivery of excellence in IP legal services. I am looking forward to building a new leading IP litigation practice for the London market.”
The firm also hired fintech and privacy partner Ashley Winton. Winton has over 25 years of experience advising on matters relating to financial regulation, encryption and export control, data protection, privacy and cyber security.
Mishcon de Reya’s new innovation department, which includes 20 partners and legal directors, and 27 managing associates and associates, brings together previously separate divisions under one umbrella.
It comprises three divisions: IP and competition; commercial contracts, data, tech and sport; and betting and gaming—practices that had previously been within the firm’s corporate and dispute resolution divisions.
Jeremy Hertzog, chair of the innovation division, said bringing the divisions together will help the firm to retain and attract talent and help clients “who will reap the benefits” of greater collaboration across the sectors.
“We are excited to welcome Helen and Ashley,” said Hertzog. “They both bring valuable expertise to the new department and are recognised for their extensive legal and regulatory knowledge, as well as ability to offer insightful strategic advice.”
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