Allen & Overy today announced that Marc Döring, head of IP at Simmons & Simmons, will be joining its IP team in London. Döring is respected by his peers in IP litigation, particularly patent litigation in the life sciences and TMT sectors. He is the second high-profile IP partner to leave Simmons & Simmons this year for A&O, following Marjan Noor's appointment last June. This movement will soon bring the number of Managing IP’s Patent Stars (2016) in each firm to six.
Why A&O is hiring IP partners
According to the firm's press release, Tim House, partner and global head of litigation, said: “[W]e have consistently prioritised IP as a strategic growth area for the litigation practice and Marc adds an additional dimension to our already strong offering.” IP Star and partner Nicola Dagg added: “The uncertainty around the UPC will create additional complexity at all stages of the patent life cycle and we expect this will lead to more high-end patent litigation coming to the UK courts. Marc is a renowned and formidable IP litigator who brings the skills and experience that will complement our existing team and help us to exploit new opportunities down the line.”
Allen & Overy and Simmons & Simmons are ranked in the top-tier for patent litigation in the UK in IP Stars (2016).