London

Overview

Our London office, established in 1997, is home to the firm's European regulatory and corporate transactional practices, including specialists in the areas of life sciences, intellectual property, competition, employment, and telecoms. Centered in one of the world's most robust financial capitals, our London lawyers work with a wide range of clients, including: large multinational firms based in the UK, Europe, the US and elsewhere in the world; start-up businesses; banking institutions and financial services companies; and individuals. Legal Business’ Global London 2009 survey recently ranked our firm number 8 out of 58 Global London firms based on an aggregate of Legal 500 rankings. The UK Legal 500 ranked our London office as recommended in the following areas of practice: administrative and public policy, EU competition, intellectual property, M&A, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, product liability, publishing, rail, telecommunications, and venture capital.

We are committed to offering clients a full range of regulatory, transactional, and litigation services in the US and Europe. Toward that end, our London lawyers work in concert with colleagues in the firm's US offices and leverage their proximity to the firm's Brussels team to offer clients distinct, direct access to the hub of European regulation, policy-making, and EU competition law. As such, we represent clients in English courts and before the UK Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission on issues such as merger control and allegations of abuse of dominant position or anticompetitive practices.

Some other highlights of our practice in London: 

• Life Sciences. Our London lawyers have in-depth experience in the life sciences, including product liability litigation and regulatory advice, intellectual property, employment, and competition. We count some of the world's largest global pharmaceutical and medical device companies among our clients, and our practice is recognized for its leadership in this arena. The head of our London life sciences practice was described by Chambers UK as an "absolutely top-quality lawyer" and as someone whom clients describe as "everyone's first choice." In Chambers UK 2009, clients say the firm is, “definitely a leading force for regulatory work in the life sciences sector” and Chambers describes it as “a stable fixture in the product liability area and a truly global regulatory practice, thanks to its exceptional geographical spread, depth of talent and knowledge.” One of our life sciences lawyers who advises major medical and pharmaceutical clients on medical technology, health and safety, pharmaceutical and product liability litigation has been praised for her highly sought-after skills and widespread knowledge.
• Intellectual Property. Our lawyers possess in-depth experience in transactional intellectual property matters and the exploitation of intellectual property rights. They help resolve disputes in all areas of IP law, with an emphasis on pharmaceuticals, patent, copyright and software infringement, IP/antitrust disputes, comparative advertising, Internet and domain name disputes, and trademarks and passing off/unfair competition disputes. They advise on all forms of IP and technology licensing and brand protection, as well as on merchandising of publishing, film, TV, franchising, and related advertising issues. Two of our leading lawyers were ranked by Chambers UK 2009 in Intellectual Property and Media & Entertainment: Publishing, and are described as "highly regarded and proficient.” Chambers UK 2009 describes the firm as “a steady team with a well-rounded practice” and “a natural location for high-profile copyright infringement cases”. One of our most experienced lawyers has advised a worldwide broadcaster on the sale of music publishing copyrights, a retailing chain on the roll-out of franchising arrangements, and an international clothing brand on its sponsorship deals. The firm's depth is further evidenced by the experience of another partner, who has acted as lead advisor on all aspects of the worldwide IP portfolio of Europe's largest brewer as well as on that of one of the world's largest banks.
• Competition. As part of the wider European competition practice, the London team advises on both EU and UK competition law issues. We represent clients from a broad array of industries before the UK Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission in relation to a range of competition concerns, including merger control and allegations of abuse of dominant position or anticompetitive practices. Our lawyers also have experience in dealing with major antitrust inquiries, price-fixing issues, distribution and licensing agreements, strategic alliances, and joint ventures. The team specializes in finding solutions to complex competition problems for large and multinational firms. The team also advises on other aspects of EU law, particularly those relating to the free movement of goods, advertising, and other regulatory laws within the EU. Our UK competition practice leader was described in Chambers UK 2009 as having “over two decades of experience, with expertise in the tobacco, food and drink, pharmaceutical, chemicals and manufacturing sectors.”
• Litigation and Arbitration. Our London office has the capability of handling all types of commercial disputes, litigation, and arbitration. Apart from litigation in the specialist areas of competition, intellectual property, employment, life sciences, and product liability, the office has handled major disputes involving banking, fraud, public international law, and state immunity. Other such areas include public and administrative law, including applications for judicial review. Partners have experience in all courts, including the High Court, Court of Appeal, House of Lords, and Privy Council. The office has handled arbitration under all major arbitral rules, including the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). A number of partners in the office have been appointed arbitrators. Partners have also been trained as mediators and have mediation experience.
• Corporate. Our London corporate team works on domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures, flotations/IPOs on both the Official List and on AIM, secondary issues, private equity funding, outsourcing, and technology. Our lawyers take an industry-focused approach, assisting a variety of clients including both start-ups and blue-chip US, UK, European, and North American clients on wide-ranging commercial and corporate issues. Additionally, our lawyers advise on public and private offerings of debt and equity securities for issuers and underwriters, LBOs, joint ventures, and financing for mergers and acquisitions. Our lawyers handle transactions in many European jurisdictions, including Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. They have extensive experience in managing the international legal affairs of public and private retail and consumer product companies, including deep in-house experience in acquisitions and financing, intellectual property and brand protection, franchisee networks, and joint ventures. Our London team leader was recommended in Legal Business's Legal Experts 2008 for Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Transport; and is described by Chambers UK 2009 as a “pragmatic problem solver.”
• Employment. Our London employment practice covers UK employment law counseling, litigation, and business immigration. In advising clients, our approach is practical and solution driven. Our team advises clients on employment contracts and policies suitable for the UK and across Europe, the protection of confidential information, enforcement of non-compete clauses, executive compensation, disciplinary and poor performance issues, hiring of key employees/consultants, harassment, discrimination, and termination of employment, including redundancies and layoffs in both union and non-union environments. The team also handles the employment aspects of mergers, outsourcings, and consolidations, including employee consultation, changing contracts of employment, and TUPE. One of our partners is recognized as a leader in the field of Employment Law by Chambers UK 2009 and was included in the 2005-2007 editions of the Legal Media Group's Guide to the World's Leading Labour and Employment Lawyers.
• Telecommunications. Our lawyers advise UK, other European, and North American telecommunications operators, service providers, and ISPs on regulatory and commercial issues. They are consulted frequently by regulatory authorities and financial institutions on regulatory issues affecting the telecommunications sector. Additionally, our lawyers advise clients on matters pertaining to data protection, emerging new technology, and new media issues. Our Telecommunications practice leader was recommended in PLC's Which lawyer? Yearbook 2009 for telecommunications.