The Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise.
Recommended - Individuals
Recommended - Individuals: prosecution
CMS presents a comprehensive patent offering, taking in contentious and non-contentious legal matters alongside a robust and well-stocked prosecution team with cutting-edge technical capabilities. The litigation bench took in a significant bounce last year with the acquisition of Mark Shillito, formerly of Herbert Smith Freehills. He joins up with Caitlin Heard and Toby Sears to dish out high-quality tactics for all kinds of patent disputes. Well regarded across the sector, Shillito receives stellar commendations from his patrons: “Mark is an exceptional IP lawyer. He not only has a detailed knowledge of the law, but is an excellent strategist, great with clients and a real team player. He is a pleasure to work with and inspires confidence in clients and colleagues alike.” Heard and Sears, too, are praised by patrons: “Caitlin expresses her views quickly and decisively, and she is almost invariably right. She takes a bird’s-eye view of the litigation landscape and rapidly offers up the best strategy to proceed. She can also dig into impossibly difficult technology and emerge with a full understanding, which she is able to translate beautifully into court documents and conversations with others.” “Toby’s pragmatic approach yielded actionable insights and a forward-looking strategy that will save his clients years of R&D.” On the non-contentious side, Joel Vertes and Sarah Hanson are the key names to know. Vertes has a wide-ranging IP and technology practice, taking in soft IP litigation, but also technology licensing deals. This diversity gives his advice comprehensive purchase and a commercial perspective across a range of customer assets. Hanson co-heads the firm’s life sciences offering. She has specialised in high-value, commercial transactions with a significant IP component for more than 20 years. A secondment with Pfizer has given her serious insight into the business objectives that matter for her clientele. Robert Stephen heads CMS’s top-notch prosecution practice. “Rob is a great counsel and provides highly valuable advice and proposed courses of action. Rob is a key resource for determining and adapting patent strategy. He has shown a capacity to adapt to a patron’s internal changes, adjusting communications and taking into account new business objectives. His technical and legal skills are legion and his sensitivity to client objectives and expectations is second to none.” “Rachel Free is highly competent in developing patent strategy in the difficult field of artificial intelligence. She is quick to grasp the nuances of technology and companies’ commercial objectives. She perceives strategies that others can’t see. On top of it all, she writes quality patent applications with technical finesse and legal acumen.” Helen Wallis is an expert in computer-implemented inventions. She is a skilled and diligent drafter, technically astute and a clear communicator. Her experiences have given her keen insight into the commercial applicability of inventions, and she knows how to maximise the strategic value of any portfolio. “Jane Evenson is extremely knowledgeable and up to date on patent law, and provides detailed, thoughtful and meaningful advice and strategy on European patent applications. Jane is attuned to the importance of alerting clients to European legal intricacies that they might not have appreciated. She explains rules and regulations clearly, and seeks to be an extension of in-house capabilities. Jane provides guidance that makes sense and delivers stronger patents.” “Jane Hollywood has a very good understanding of biotech science and significant expertise in EPO proceedings. She is very clear in explaining situations to clientele. She maintains good relationships, is available, responsive and provides strategic advice. She is a great sounding board for ideas and offers well-informed opinions.”