Who’s moving firms in Europe?

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

Who’s moving firms in Europe?

Cooley hires

In the first of a regular new roundup, we summarise recently announced partner moves in the UK, Germany and France

Cooley hires

FICPI Vice-President and former Secretary General Julian Crump has left Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovksy and Popeo, where he was head of the London office.

He has joined Beresford & Co, which as of August 1 has become Beresford Crump LLP. Crump, a patent attorney and life sciences specialist, joins a team headed by Keith Beresford that is known for its work in the electronics and computer industries.

Three other members of Mintz Levin’s London patent prosecution practice (pictured right) have joined Cooley’s recently launched office in the city. Jacqueline Ireland (centre) joins as an associate, David Wraige (right) as special counsel and Daniel Sellwood (left) as a technical assistant.

All three are patent attorneys, and give Cooley’s London office the ability to handle patent prosecution in addition to IP legal work. Mintz Levin is believed to be withdrawing from patent filing work in the UK.

David Wilkinson

Also in the UK, David Wilkinson (left) has joined Clyde & Co to head the IP practice. A litigator, he was previously head of IP at Stevens & Bolton and before that was at Bristows.

In Germany, Reed Smith has hired Anette Gärtner as a partner in Frankfurt. She joined on August 1 from Clifford Chance in Munich where she was counsel, and specialises in patent litigation and licensing, including FRAND disputes.

Thomas Gniadek has moved to Noerr in Munich from Bardehle Pagenberg as an associated partner, effective July 15. He handles litigation in patent and related areas before the German courts and the EPO.

Rebecca Delorey

Finally, Bardehle Pagenberg has hired Rebecca Delorey (right) to head its trade mark and design practice in the Paris office. She joins from Bird & Bird, and was previously a partner of Gilbey Delorey.

She handles both contentious work and trade mark portfolio management, and is joined by associate Axel Munier, paralegal Lydie Maury and legal assistant Camilla Søeborg.

Please send news about lateral partner moves for inclusion in future roundups to our editorial team by email

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Lawyers eagerly await news of what IP specialist Sir Colin Birss will bring to one of the England and Wales judiciary’s most important roles
María Aurora García of Berken IP explains how intellectual property rights holders can use customs monitoring and online enforcement tools to identify parallel imports and support compliance with consumer protection rules
The Jakarta-based firm says personal networks and a distinctive strategy can help it guide foreign clients through what can be a tricky IP landscape
Munich litigation boutique formed by former Taylor Wessing partners continues expansion as it seeks to cement its position in the UPC market
Yvonne Tang and Siau Wen Lim, the second and third IP specialists to sit on the firm’s management committee, say IP is ‘uniquely positioned’ to support cross-practice work
As competing firms come under common ownership, clients may care less about formal conflicts and more about how openly firms discuss them
Facing increased lateral movement and in-house competition, firms are investing in flexible billing hours and tailored career progression to improve associate retention
As the US reflects on 250 years of independence, patent lawyers say innovation is reshaping old hiring priorities, with firms seeking broader IP expertise over specialisation
The Nokia v Acer ruling in the UK suggests arbitration is moving from the sidelines towards the mainstream of global FRAND disputes - and could reshape forum strategy in the process
The Life Sciences Awards is thrilled to present the shortlist for the 2026 Americas Awards
Gift this article