Two partners at commercial law firm Manches, Steven Maier and Cathleen Blackburn, have left to set up their own IP boutique Maier Blackburn.
The two-partner firm, which opened on January 1, will focus on IP, media and entertainment law as well as dispute resolution in those areas.
Maier, who had been a partner at Manches for 20 years, was former head of IP litigation there, while Blackburn headed up the publishing and media practice.
Maier Blackburn's clients will include the JRR Tolkien Estate, as Blackburn is the retained legal adviser globally. The firm will be based in Oxford.