US firm Dechert has opened an IP practice in France, hiring the head of Linklaters’ Paris IP/TMT group, Marianne Schaffner, and three associates.
Patent litigator Schaffner has been with Linklaters for over 10 years and became a partner in 2006.
Schaffner specialises in life sciences – an area where Dechert already has a team. Her practice also covers technology and telecommunications – areas where the firm has not previously specialised.
Associates Romain Viret, Julie Sérusclat and Pierre-Olivier Ally also made the transition from Linklaters to Dechert.