About

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills

Our 50+ strong European intellectual property team advise on the full spectrum of IP-related issues including, patents, trade marks, copyright, designs, trade secrets, database rights, anti-counterfeiting, domain names, advertising, licensing and transactions.

Over a third of our team holds technical degrees in fields like biology, chemistry, and engineering, making us well-equipped to handle complex disputes, particularly in life sciences, technology, and software.

A leader in European and global patent litigation, the team has represented many of the world's largest companies in highly technical patent disputes. 

Our team is experienced in the Unified Patent Court (UPC), having launched multiple patent litigation actions in 2024, including the first ever UPC innovator v. generic pharma dispute. We have numerous UPC Representatives across Europe, including in each of the locations of the Central Divisions of the UPC (Germany, France and Italy).

We have a European Trade Mark & Design Filing and Prosecution practice and assist companies on the entire lifecycle of trademark portfolio management, from identification and creation, registration, commercialisation, through to enforcement and dispute resolution. 

With lawyers qualified in jurisdictions such as the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, India, France, Germany, Italy, and New Zealand, the team has a global focus, advising on cross-border issues and helping clients protect and commercialize their innovations worldwide.


Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Intellectual Property - Europe-wide
4
Band 4
What the team is known for

Herbert Smith Freehills has notable practices in France, Italy and the UK. It has a strong practice handling life sciences and TMT patent litigation. The firm is further noted for its expertise in trade mark, copyright and database rights litigation. Herbert Smith is also active in patent enforcement and protection strategy.

Notable practitioners

Global IP co-head Laura Orland is based in Milan and is a key point of contact.

Work Highlights

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
  • Herbert Smith Freehills advised Biogen on a global patent dispute relating to Tecfidera, its treatment for multiple sclerosis.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Members

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills

Andrew Moir

Andrew Wells

Annamaria Algieri

Emily Bottle

Emmanuel Ronco

Frédéric Chevallier

Ina vom Feld

Jonathan Turnbull

Laura Orlando

Laura Orlando

Head of Department

Sebastian Moore

Sébastien Proust

Vincent Denoyelle

Clients

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills

Bonomi Group

CATL

Dyson

Google

Johnson & Johnson

Millennium (Takeda)

Pearson

Regeneron

Roche

Sanofi

Thales

Industries

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills

Automotive

Consumer

Energy

Food

Life Sciences

Luxury & Fashion

Manufacturing

Technology

Telecoms