What it's like to work with us
If you want to experience the best IP experience the UK can offer, we can provide it.
To name just a few highlights, we've won cases in the Supreme Court, such as Zodiac v Virgin – overturning 100 years of patent case law on damages. We've won in the Court of Appeal, as with ASSIA v BT: the first case to hold a telco patent valid and infringed. We've also won in the High Court in cases such as Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics Co., Ltd v AbbVie Biotechnology Limited and Others, creating a new form of relief in patent cases.
The team played a pivotal role in assisting AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc. to formulate a global strategic oncology collaboration to develop and commercialise AstraZeneca's Lynparza (olaparib) for multiple cancer types. Lynparza is an innovative, first-in-class inhibitor which is currently approved for the treatment of BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer. Merck will pay AstraZeneca up to $8.5 billion in total consideration, including $1.6 billion upfront, $750 million for certain licence options and up to $6.15 billion contingent upon successful achievement of future regulatory and sales milestones. Of course, we also help clients use their IP as part of their general commercial strategy. Our advertising and marketing team regularly finds itself at the epicentre of trending news, having drafted the host contract for the 2012 Olympic games and negotiated sponsorship for numerous headline sponsors, and having drafted the sponsorship agreement for the Santander cycles.
However, the team isn't just a prestigious place to work – it's a great place to work. Whether you join us as a trainee or a senior associate, we'll value your perspective. We'll encourage you to take part in business development activities, and we'll help you develop your professional reputation. It's no surprise that a number of our people have chosen to grow their careers with us for 10 years or more.
The IP team provides a fantastic learning environment. We have a dedicated support lawyer who helps keep the team abreast of case law and legislative changes. We also provide weekly update and training sessions so that everyone is up to date with the latest changes in law. All our newly qualified IP lawyers take part in the Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice at Oxford University to make sure their IP knowledge is as complete as possible.
We also have a 'buddy system'. This brings together IP associates across our international offices through 'buddy groups', allowing people to make connections and build their networks.