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Senior BD Manager: Emma Johnson
Quick facts
First Ranked by IP STARS

2017

Year of Establishment

1896

Number of Partners

350

Total Number of IP Practitioners

25

Key practice areas
Copyright & related rights
Intellectual property
Trade mark
Patent
IP transactions
IP transactions
Patent disputes - law firms
Trade mark disputes - law firms
Patent prosecution - law firms
Firm overview

The Simmons & Simmons international IP team offers the specialist expertise of a boutique IP practice complemented by the full service offering of a major international firm. We are well known in the market for our high-calibre clients and involvement in many of the leading IP cases and transactions, both in the UK and internationally.

Our IP practice, comprising litigation, prosecution and transactional expertise, for both brands/trade mark and patents matters, is one of the only international firms that provide the full suite of IP services from one trusted source – a significant differentiator in the legal market.

We boast an extremely deep and strong bench. Consisting of over 100 fee earners internationally, our IP team has a presence across EMEA (in Belgium, China, Dubai, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, The Netherlands), the UK and Asia.

Known for our expertise in the life sciences, fintech and technology sectors, we leverage our in-depth industry knowledge developed over our 120+ year history to provide the best advice to the most sophisticated clients. The majority of our patent litigators, attorneys and transactional IP lawyers have technical backgrounds, including advanced degrees and scientific research experience, giving our clients the advantage of market leading legal advisors who also understand their complex and cutting-edge inventions.

Practice Areas & Sector Specialisations

Practice Areas: Copyright & related rights, Designs, Intellectual property (contentious), Intellectual property (prosecution), IP transactions, Life sciences IP, Patent, Patent contentious, Patent prosecution, Trade mark, Trade mark contentious, Trade mark prosecution.

Sector Expertise: Aerospace, Advertising, Agriculture, Artificial intelligence, Arts, Automotive, Biotechnology, Chemical, Computer technology & services, E-commerce, Electrical, Electronics, Fashion & luxury goods, Financial services, ICT & software, Internet, Life sciences, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Media, Medical device, Nanotechnology, Optics & photonics, Pharmaceutical, Retail, Robotics, Semiconductors, Technology hardware,Telecommunication.

Address:
CityPoint, 1 Ropemaker St
London EC2Y 9SS,
Tel:+44 20 7628 2020 Fax: +44 20 7628 2070 Email:Contact Us Web Address:https://www.simmons-simmons.com/en/expertise/service/intellectual-property
2026 Edition
Copyright & related rights
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Overview

Simmons & Simmons is a full-service international firm with a UK IP team that can deal with IP protection, transactions, and disputes.  It is among the few law firms in the UK that have a patent attorney team. Its patent and transactional practice covers biotechnology, chemistry, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and electronics.

Notable patent litigators: Priya Nagpal and Scott Parker.

Notable patent attorneys: Kevin Cordina and Frederick Nicolle.

Notable soft IP practitioners: Marisa Broughton, John Slater, and Darren Meale.

Notable IP transaction lawyers: Lydia Torne, Michael Gavey, Angus McLean, and Joel Smith.

Testimonials

2026

"Friendly, approachable, operates like an extension of our inhouse team, advice is always commercial and delivered on time.  As a team they are willing and able to think outside the box and we rate their advice highly."

"Trusted advisors, acting as an extension to our in-house team.  They know our business, take the time to understand our priorities and always tailor their advice accordingly."

"They have provided prompt, thorough advice and support, often at short notice."

"Team covers a variety of industries and draws additional resources if and when needed. Team management is very strong."

"First class team with deep knowledge and commercial experience."

"Clear structure and reliable, as well as immediate, support and guidance."

Marisa Broughton

"Marisa provides pragmatic, strategic & timely advice.  She takes the time to understand our industry, our competitors and our priorities and tailors her advice accordingly.  She is a valued extension of our in-house team."

"Marisa is an invaluable resource.  She takes the time to truly understand our business and priorities and provides strategic, timely advice.  She thinks creatively and innovatively and is truly valued by the team."

Kevin Cordina

"First-class advisor with deep legal and industry knowledge whilst remaining commercially focused."

 

2025

"Excellent lawyers and excellent commercial advice and service."

 

2023

"Excellent technical skills coupled with reliable, balanced advice."

"John Slater manages a team of attorneys and paralegals in the Simmons & Simmons Hong Kong and London offices who primarily do work for us. This means almost round the clock coverage during Asia and European business hours.

"The team is able to leverage their experience and work they do for the group around the world and offer strategic advice to us having regard to issues that might affect the rest of our portfolio. An effective one-stop-service for us."

"They are competent and efficient and offer tailored advice."

"We like their high-quality and swift response."

"They are personable, professional and have a fantastic grasp of highly complex agreements, presenting clear and concise advice."

"The firm's experience within the areas in question set them apart, as does their ability to provide assistance of the highest quality in a number of European jurisdictions."

Linked Reviews
Trade mark

Case studies show trade mark protection, office proceedings, and court litigation. The UK team is also involved in EU trade mark work. Clients include Hugo Boss, New Balance, Monzo, Hermès International, and Venture Life Group. IP Star and former Hogan Lovells' partner Joel Smith joined the firm in 2024. Adrian Smith has retired.

Patent

Patent case studies show patent prosecution, EPO proceedings, and court litigation. The UK team is also involved in UPC litigation. Clients include Network System Technologies, Sibio Technology, Danaher Corporation, Solventum, Grünenthal, Apple, Netradryne, and Acerus Pharmaceuticals. Veteran patent litigator Kevin Mooney has retired. Michael Burdon now serves as a consultant in the firm. Partner Andrew Hutchinson and managing associate Amy Crouch left the firm in 2025.

IP transactions

Case studies show a range of commercial IP work, including patent licensing. Clients include Genmab, GSK, BlackRock, Cooper Consumer Health, and the Akkermansia Company. Other notable lawyers for technology transactions are Lawrence Brown and Alexander Brown.

6 results6 results
Publication of the UPC’s annual report and adoption of the procedural rules of the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre were also among major developments
A further decision on long-arm status, and a new hire for Pentarc in Germany from Taylor Wessing were also among top developments
There are some impressive AI tools available for trademark lawyers, but law firm leaders say humans can still outthink the bots
Lawyers at Simmons & Simmons look ahead to a UK Supreme Court hearing in which the court will consider whether English courts can determine FRAND terms when the licence is offered by an intermediary rather than an SEP owner
Lawyers say attention will turn to the UK government’s AI consultation after judgment fails to match pre-trial hype
In major recent developments, the CoA ruled on director liability for patent infringement, and Nokia targeted Paramount at the UPC and in Germany
As revenue reporting season hits full stride, firms have made a point of highlighting the successes of their IP teams as they take centre stage in big-ticket work
Developments included the first judgment from the Nordic Baltic division, an injunction covering the UK, and a new code of conduct
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