Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons has a fully licensed intellectual property agency in Beijing, Simmons & Simmons (Beijing) Intellectual Property Agency Company, which opened in September 2014. It is headed by partner George Chan, whom a client says is an "excellent practitioner and good operator". "George is a great resource to any client or firm that needs assistance in China. He is available at all hours and provides sound, cost-effective advice. He is a great lawyer and advisor," says another client. A market commentator says they have received excellent advice and service from attorneys and staff at Simmons and Simmons: "Very practical and business-oriented. They consistently deliver top-notch work." Chan and his team acted for Barbeques Galore (Aust) in a patent dispute against its contractor, H&H Asia (H&H). Simmons & Simmons (Beijing) Intellectual Property Agency has grown considerably over the past year. Recent hires include two senior associates and one mid-level associate.

Simmons & Simmons is recommended for patent litigation in the Netherlands. Bas Berghuis van Woortman and Mattie de Koning, who was promoted to partner in 2017, lead the firm's IP practice in this jurisdiction. Both partners are experienced in handling patent disputes in the life sciences and TMT sectors. They are supported by András Kupecz, who is also a qualified patent attorney, Raoul Soullié, and Chantal Morel, who joined the firm in 2017 as counsel. Patent disputes case studies show the team represented companies such as Samsung Electronics, ArcelorMittal and Allergan.

Led by "excellent practitioner" George Chan, Simmons & Simmons offers its clients expertise in trade mark and other IP issues. Chan's work ranges from preparing trade mark registrations, cancellations and invalidations to developing licensing strategies. He acted for leading entertainment company Warner Bros Entertainment last year in a prosecution case. A client states: "George is a great resource to any client or firm that needs assistance in China. He is available 24/7 and provides sound, cost-effective advice." A competitor observes that the practitioners at the firm are "very practical, business-oriented and consistently deliver top notch work".

Simmons & Simmons strengthened its IP practice in France with the hire of Marina Cousté and François Jonquères, who joined from Reed Smith. Cousté’s IP practice covers trade marks. Sarah Bailey leads the IP practice. Bailey specialises in soft IP work, particularly trade marks. The partners are supported by a team of associates including rising star Frédérique Potin.

Headed by partner John Slater, Simmons & Simmons' IP team in Hong Kong advises on trade mark portfolio prosecution and enforcement as well as complex contentious matters. Slater's expertise lies in IP litigation and prosecution, particularly in relation to trade mark and copyright, as well as IP transactional work. Work highlights show Slater handling the prosecution and maintenance of the global trade mark portfolio of Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon, registration and portfolio management for leading toy company BANDAI and the Hong Kong portfolio for BlackBerry Limited and Research In Motion Limited.

Simmons & Simmons is recommended for trade mark protection and litigation. It also has a strong transactions practice. Its UK IP practice is now led by transactions specialist Michael Gavey. Adrian Smith and Darren Meale are prominent trade mark practitioners in the firm. They are supported by a team of associates including supervising trade mark attorney Rebecca Heard and Vikki Leitch. Other notable senior IP practitioners are Angus McLean and Richard Binns. James Agnew and Lydia Torne are rising stars in its IP transactions practice. Rowan Freeland has retired.