Bird & Bird’s Trevor Cook spreads his wings

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Bird & Bird’s Trevor Cook spreads his wings

Leading UK litigator Trevor Cook is ending his 39-year association with Bird & Bird and will join WilmerHale’s New York office as a partner on January 1 next year

Trevor Cook

Cook was most recently co-head of Bird & Bird’s international life sciences group and has written books including A User’s Guide to Patents and EU Intellectual Property Law. He is well known for his experience in handling disputes across different technologies and IP rights, as well as coordinating cross-border litigation.

Cook joined Bird & Bird in 1974. At WilmerHale, he is expected to focus on international IP litigation, and expand the firm’s US practice to Europe and Asia.

His move may be a sign that major law firms are seeking to make senior lateral hires in preparation for handling work before the planned Unified Patents Court in Europe, which is due to be set up in the next few years.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

After five IP partners left the firm for White & Case, the IP market could yet see more laterals
The court plans to introduce a system for expert-led SEP mediation, intended to help parties come to an agreement within three sessions
Paul Chapman and Robert Lind, who are retiring from Marks & Clerk after 30-year careers, discuss workplace loyalty, client care, and why we should be optimistic but cautious about AI
Brantsandpatents is seeking to boost its expertise across key IP services in the Benelux region
Shwetasree Majumder, managing partner of Fidus Law Chambers, discusses fighting gender bias and why her firm is building a strong AI and tech expertise
Hady Khawand, founder of AÏP Genius, discusses creating an AI-powered IP platform, and why, with the law evolving faster than ever, adaptability is key
UK firm Shakespeare Martineau, which secured victory for the Triton shower brand at the Court of Appeal, explains how it navigated a tricky test regarding patent claim scopes
The firm’s managing partner said the city is an ‘exciting hub of ideas and innovation’
In our latest podcast, Deborah Hampton talks through her hopes for the year, INTA’s patent focus, London 2026, and her love of music
Tech leads at three IP service groups discuss why firms need to move away from off-the-shelf AI products and adopt custom solutions
Gift this article