Osborne Clarke adds tech lawyer to IP disputes team
The new associate director specialises in multi-jurisdictional disputes in the field of technology, media and communications, with significant expertise in standard-essential patents and FRAND.
Osborne Clarke has appointed tech-sector IP disputes specialist Luke Maunder as associate director as of yesterday, October 23.
Maunder specialises in advising clients in the technology, media and communications (TMC) sector, with an emphasis on high-tech patent litigation.
He joins from Bristows, where he spent more than eight years—first as associate, rising to senior associate.
Maunder will be based in London working alongside IP disputes partners Arty Rajendra, Will James, Tim Harris, Rob Guthrie, Richard May and Trevor Crosse.
He brings extensive multi-jurisdictional patent disputes experience, in addition to litigation expertise at all levels of the UK courts including the UK Supreme Court.
Many of his cases involve standard essential patents (SEPs) and FRAND terms, as well as complex jurisdiction and other procedural issues.
Maunders is one of a few solicitor-advocates specialising in IP with rights of audience before the senior civil courts (including the UK High Court and the UK Court of Appeal).
He holds a BSc degree in computer science and is a member of the British Computer Society, providing him with insight and knowledge of multiple technical fields, including computing, AI, telecommunications and consumer electronics.
He is also the secretary of the IPEC Users’ Committee. In his spare time, Maunders enjoys kitting out his house with the latest tech and gaming.
Commenting on his new role, he noted that Osborne Clarke’s IP disputes team is “known for its tech-sector experts who advise high-profile clients on cutting-edge legal matters”.
“I look forward to bringing my skills and experience to Osborne Clarke’s clients, learning about the latest innovative technologies, and working on the new legal challenges that those present with its international IP team,” he said.
Arty Rajendra, partner and head of UK IP disputes at Osborne Clarke, said that the firm’s IP disputes team “has grown substantially in the last six years with the addition of four partners and impressive revenue growth”.
“Luke is a key strategic hire following increased demand for tech patent expertise from our clients, particularly those operating in the TMC and digital health sectors.
“Luke’s technical background and experience is a valuable addition for us, from which our clients will benefit.”
The firm’s IP disputes team is currently advising on several high-profile cases, including acting for Optis in its SEP and FRAND litigation case against Apple, and acting for international biopharmaceutical companies in several patent disputes before the UK Court and UPC.
Osborne Clarke's IP disputes team is part of its broader disputes & risk practice group, which the company says continues to deliver “fantastic” revenue growth.
Building on the double-digit growth in preceding years, the practice group grew 24% in FY 2022/2023, and accounted for 26% of the firm’s UK revenue.
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