MOVERS & SHAKERS
Who's hiring and who's moving
Murgitroyd merges with UDL Intellectual Property
Global IP firm Murgitroyd has continued its international expansion strategy with the acquisition of UK-based UDL Intellectual Property.
This acquisition comes shortly after Murgitroyd announced that it had acquired Ireland’s Hanna Moore + Curley in September.
All 80 UDL staff, including 12 partners, will be integrated into Murgitroyd, bringing the total headcount to 440 employees—creating one of the largest practices in the UK and Europe.
Gordon Stark, chief executive officer of Murgitroyd said: “This is a significant step forward in enhancing the scale and reach of Murgitroyd in the UK and strengthens our overall presence in Europe.
“UDL has an excellent reputation for advising innovative companies and its focus on legal excellence, deep sector knowledge and strategically focused, pragmatic advice will complement Murgitroyd’s client-centred approach.
“Our strong cultural alignment will ensure that the teams are stronger together.”
Gordon Stark, Murgitroyd
“Like Murgitroyd, UDL’s people are at the heart of its business and our strong cultural alignment will ensure that the teams are stronger together, creating a more compelling and attractive client offering.”
UDL was founded over 100 years ago and is headquartered in Leeds with offices in Bristol, Cardiff, London, Milton Keynes and Newcastle. It represents clients before the UK and European intellectual property offices.
Neil Pawlyn and Alison Simpson, managing partners at UDL said: “Joining forces with a company as passionate as we are about innovation and client success is what takes UDL Intellectual Property into the next chapter of our story, within Murgitroyd.”
Spruson & Ferguson and Shelston IP merge to create Australia’s largest IP firm
Spruson & Ferguson Australia and Shelston IP have combined to create the largest IP firm in Australia.
The newly-combined firm, which will operate under the Spruson & Ferguson brand, will employ more than 200 people.
Leading the new firm is current Spruson & Ferguson managing director David Kennedy, supported by a leadership team of Spruson & Ferguson and Shelston IP associates.
November 1 marked the first phase of the integration of the firms, with full integration set for December 13.
“Together, the combined firm will offer clients access to the largest team of IP experts in Australia.”
David Kennedy, Spruson & Ferguson Australia
Kennedy commented: “This is an exciting day for our firm as we bring together two highly regarded teams with an unrivalled depth of technical knowledge and subject matter expertise.
“Together, the combined firm will offer clients access to the largest team of IP experts in Australia, with easy access into Asia-Pacific through the established IPH network and Spruson & Ferguson’s team on the ground in Asia. We will also be able to offer staff enhanced career opportunities as part of a larger firm, with an enviable client base.”
George Freeman replaces Amanda Solloway as UK IP minister
George Freeman MP has been confirmed as the UK’s new Minister for Science & Innovation—which encompasses the IP portfolio.
Freeman is a Conservative Party politician who has held his Mid-Norfolk seat since 2010.
Among his prior government posts, he served as parliamentary undersecretary of state for life sciences at the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills between July 2014 and July 2016.
After a short government absence, he became the minister of state in the Department for Transport from July 2019 until the following February.
Reacting to his latest role change, the Norfolk MP said it was “a huge privilege and honour” to take up the science minister role.
“We have a historic opportunity to unleash UK science & innovation for post-COVID recovery.”
George Freeman, Minister for Science & Innovation
“We have a historic opportunity to unleash UK science & innovation for post-COVID recovery,” he tweeted.
In terms of his record on IP, he voted in favour of post-Brexit copyright and related rights in February 2019, and a month prior also voted in favour of IP rights holders controlling distribution and resales of products.
Freeman did however vote against a clause in 2014’s IP Bill, which would have required the creation of a report on the government’s long-term plans for the future of IP in the UK prior to the introduction of new legislation.
Upon confirmation of Freeman’s appointment, the UK Intellectual Property Office’s chief executive Tim Moss extended a “warm welcome” to the new minister responsible for IP.
“IP is crucial to our drive to make the UK one of the world’s most innovative countries, and I look forward to working with Freeman to ensure the UK’s IP environment remains a powerful catalyst for growth,” Moss said.
Gowling hires IP director from Norton Rose
Gowling WLG has appointed London-based IP barrister Seiko Hidaka as the new director of its global IP practice.
Hidaka’s appointment will further strengthen its expertise in the tech sector and support its growing global capabilities in Asia, Gowling claimed in a press release.
Hidaka previously worked as an associate within the Gowling’s IP team when it was part of Wragge & Co. Prior to rejoining Gowling, she served as counsel at Norton Rose Fulbright’s IP team in London.
Over the past few years, she has advised several global businesses across the technology and life sciences sectors. She has litigated data, standard-essential patents, green tech, new therapeutic advances, e-cigarettes, and digital payment solutions.
“I could not turn down an opportunity to join an energetic and go-getting practice.”
Seiko Hidaka, Gowling WLG
Commenting on her new position, Hidaka said: “I could not turn down an opportunity to join an energetic and go-getting practice that has marked several significant triumphs in recent years in the field of IP.
“Being able to provide a keen and forward-looking IP offering is vital in the digital age, and I look forward to developing new initiatives with the benefit of the comprehensive and broad experience and knowledge base of one of the largest IP practices in the UK."
Kate Swaine, co-head of global IP at Gowling WLG, said: “Seiko’s technical skillset and experience will provide valuable support and insight to our clients as they navigate through the challenges presented by new and emerging areas of technology.
“Her appointment brings further strength to our stellar IP team and its patent litigation expertise. We look forward to welcoming Seiko to the team."
Lewis Silkin appoints new head of IP
Lewis Silkin has appointed partner Tom Gaunt to lead its expanding IP practice.
Gaunt joined Lewis Silkin in 2019 as a partner as part of the firm’s acquisition of trademark attorney firm Ablett & Stebbing, where he had served for nine years.
He will replace Dominic Farnsworth in the new role. Farnsworth has been responsible for the “significant expansion” of the firm’s IP practice and he will remain a member of the firm’s IP “steering group”, according to a statement from the firm.
Giles Crown, joint managing partner at Lewis Silkin, said: “This is an exciting time for the IP practice at Lewis Silkin, which has gone from strength to strength with Dominic’s guidance in recent year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his vision, dedication and contribution which has helped establish a truly compelling IP offering for our clients.
“I am excited for the practice to be taking the next step now under Tom’s leadership. We’re increasingly seeing that clients want to use us as a one-stop-shop to satisfy a range of legal and advisory needs, so we’re investing in our teams to make sure we’re always one step ahead and continue to offer best-in-class services.”
“I look forward to continuing the great work of this ambitious practice for our clients.”
Tom Gaunt, Lewis Silkin
Gaunt’s practice focuses on mechanical, electrical and software patents, encompassing European opposition hearings and infringement matters as well as patent and registered design filings for technical products.
He has worked across a range of markets and technologies, including power systems, medical devices, software and green technology.
Gaunt said: “It’s been an exciting journey contributing to the firm’s IP practice as we continue to strive forward and establish ourselves as the market-leading IP service.
“Our goal is always to help businesses use their IP assets, whether patents or trademarks, to capitalise on their expertise, open new markets and discover new opportunities.
“With global innovation accelerating by the day and new technologies continuously emerging, the possibilities are huge, and I look forward to continuing the great work of this ambitious practice for our clients.”
