Analysis
Leading Firms and Practitioners
WWL: Life Sciences provides a comprehensive analysis of the leading lawyers around the world currently handling sophisticated patent litigation and product liability proceedings as well as regulatory and transactional matters for high-profile clients across the sector.
Patent Litigation
Most listings in WWL: Life Sciences 2023 — Patent Litigation
EMEA
Allen & Overy
Marjan Noor is renowned as a leading patent lawyer in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and IP fields who is "well respected for working with innovator clients".
ALTIUS
Christophe Ronse is a distinguished patent litigators whom peers admire for his experience and knowledge. One peer praises him as “the best at what he does”.
Bristows LLP
The “incredible” Dominic Adair is a clear leader in patent litigation, with peers admiring his wealth of knowledge, particularly when it comes to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
Brian Cordery focuses his first-rate practice on patent litigation in the life sciences field. Peers describe him as a “sensible and pragmatic” lawyer.
Clifford Chance SLPU
Miquel Montañá continues to impress peers and clients who single him out as one of the best patent lawyers in Spain.
Hoyng Rokh Monegier
Sabine Agé has practised patent litigation for more than 20 years, gaining a reputation as one of the best practitioners in the French market.
Simon Dack is held in high esteem by peers and clients alike who single him out as a top name for all patent matters in the life sciences field.
Kromann Reumert
Nicolaj Bording earns worldwide endorsements for his IP practice and is highlighted as “a very thorough lawyer”.
Nicolai Lindgreen impresses clients with “strong strategic and communication skills” as well as his “profound ability to see through a case”.
Lenz & Staehelin
Thierry Calame is “a famous name” when it comes to complex life sciences litigation in Switzerland.
Plesner Advokatpartnerselskab
With more than 25 years’ experience of patent litigation, Sture Rygaard acts across the full remit of domestic and international matters, primarily in the biotech, pharmaceutical and medical devices industries.
Powell Gilbert LLP
Penny Gilbert enjoys an impeccable reputation thanks to her strong scientific background, which sees her represent clients in high-profile cases in the biotech and biopharma sectors.
Tim Powell is praised as “an IP legend” who possesses “an excellent commercial perspective” when it comes to dispute resolution.
North America
Dechert LLP
Katherine Helm is commended by market observers for her ability to assess and define a global strategy and suggest winning tactics.
Goodmans LLP
Andrew Brodkin comes recommended by peers who note his successful track record in a range of complex IP disputes. “He has had more successes than anyone in this practice area in history”, says one impressed interviewee.
Ben Hackett enjoys a fantastic reputation in the market, with peers highlighting him as “a solid opponent who is easy to work with”.
Harry Radomski manages the IP team and is well respected for his litigation on behalf of generic drugs companies. He routinely appears in federal courts and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Markwell LLP
Jason Markwell is an “excellent lawyer” who ranks highly among peers thanks to his strategic skills and outstanding advocacy.
Torys LLP
Andrew Bernstein is a popular name with his clients and peers for his commercial litigation IP practice spanning a variety of industries, from life sciences to media to technology.
Andrew Shaughnessy is a leading practitioner who combines an excellent legal IP practice with renowned work in academia.
WilmerHale
William Lee is regarded as a legend in the life sciences field, with over 40 years of experience representing his clients in a range of complex IP disputes.
Latin America
Daniel Law
Ricardo Dutra Nunes earns widespread endorsements as a patent litigator, with peers commenting: “He provides first-rate service.”
Licks Attorneys
Otto Licks is one of the most recognised IP lawyers in Brazil when it comes to the life sciences sector. He is renowned for his technical skill and litigation experience.
OlarteMoure
Carlos Olarte is a market-leading litigator who gains praise worldwide as “one of the best” for patent disputes.
Asia-Pacific
9 Selborne Chambers
Katrina Howard SC is a favourite among clients and peers who praise her “excellent grasp of science” and her skilful strategic advice.
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
With over 25 years’ experience in patent litigation, Grant Fisher is “a standout practitioner” whom peers and clients value for his strong scientific background.
Odette Gourley is a top-tier IP litigator regarded among the best in the region, well known for her strategic skills and work across a variety of sectors, including life sciences.
King & Wood Mallesons
Kim O’Connell is widely held to be one of the leading IP specialists in Australia whom sources praise as “an excellent mind”.
The “fantastic” Matthew Swinn is a seasoned patent specialist with a wealth of experience in the life sciences sector.
Ohno & Partners
Seiji Ohno is identified by market commentators as a key name in the Japanese life sciences market and recommended as "a very experienced and well-known lawyer".
Product Liability
Most listings in WWL: Life Sciences 2023 — Product Liability
EMEA
Arnold & Porter Kate Scholer (UK) LLP
Tom Fox is “a legendary lawyer” who ranks as “one of the top names in the country” whom sources find “very capable at leading international cross-border litigation”.
Hogan Lovells International LLP
Ina Brock is highly rated among respondents as “a top-notch product liability specialist” whose expertise is sought after by clients from a variety of sectors.
Francesca Rolla garners praise from peers for her outstanding work on US and pan-European high-value product liability disputes.
McCann FitzGerald
Roddy Bourke is frequently sought after by pharmaceuticals, biotech innovators and manufacturers for his world-class practice in product safety defence work.
Meitar Law Offices
Ron Peleg is lauded as “Mr Pharmaceutical Litigation” in Israel, “involved in some of the biggest and earliest pharmaceutical disputes”.
Simmons & Simmons
Jacques-Antoine Robert is distinguished as “the dean of product liability”, especially when it comes to the life sciences sector.
Taylor Wessing
Henning Moelle ranks highly among peers as “one of the leading product liability lawyers” in the market, renowned for his deep insight into product safety law.
North America
Arnold & Porter
Sheila Boston is “a very vibrant, skilled and energetic lawyer who is always on top of things and responsive”.
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Gordon McKee is “the first port of call for all things Canada” as interviewees describe him as “an extremely effective strategist”.
Fasken
Peter Pliszka is an “excellent” and “well-regarded” litigator who is well regarded for his advocacy in a variety of life sciences suits.
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
Charles Cohen possesses “a brilliant sense for litigation” and is revered by respondents as “one of the top names to lead and coordinate complicated cross-border product liability controversies”.
James Fitzpatrick is “exceptionally competent in dealing with life sciences issues”, with one source adding, “His leadership of global teams is second to none.”
James Sullivan KC amasses plaudits from peers who admire his extensive experience in dealing with complex product liability cases.
King & Spalding LLP
Donald (Fritz) Zimmer Jr draws praise from international sources with his dynamic practice spanning product safety alerts, industrial risks and compliance controversies.
Latin America
Pinheiro Neto Advogados
Sérgio Pinheiro Marçal is a renowned life sciences specialist who applies his keen knowledge of the sector to high-profile issues.
Asia-Pacific
Clayton Utz
Colin Loveday receives widespread endorsements for his unrivalled understanding of the life sciences sector and litigation skills when it comes to class actions and product liability claims.
Greg Williams is hailed as “a superb, hands-on lawyer with excellent leadership” when handling class actions and product liability disputes.
Regulatory
Most listings in WWL: Life Sciences 2023 — Regulatory
EMEA
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer (UK) LLP
Ian Dodds-Smith is “absolutely brilliant” when it comes to pan-European regulatory reviews arising from the life sciences sector, as one source adds “he is my go-to name in the UK”.
Jacqueline Mulryne is lauded as “a fantastic regulatory lawyer with deep expertise in the life sciences industry” by peers, who confirm she is “certainly a great choice”.
Bech-Bruun
Martin Dræbye Gantzhorn is repeatedly rated by respondents as an “excellent regulatory lawyer”, skilfully securing positive outcomes for life sciences sector clients.
Clifford Chance
Peter Dieners is “very sensible” as he secures seminal outcomes for chemicals, medical devices and pharmaceutical corporates in proceedings.
Covington & Burling LLP
Polished practitioner Peter Bogaert is described as “an exceptionally knowledgeable lawyer” by impressed sources.
Grant Castle receives widespread plaudits for his established portfolio dealing with regulatory issues affecting pharmaceutical and medical devices.
Mannheimer Swartling
Camilla Appelgren is appreciated for her “strong focus” and “terrific regulatory knowledge” in life sciences law.
Ropes & Gray LLP
Lincoln Tsang is a “top name” in the healthcare market, revered for his decades of experience in cross-border regulatory compliance and enforcement litigations.
Taylor Wessing LLP
Alison Dennis is “well regarded” among peers who referred matters to her to help with European aspects of matters, as one adds they are “very pleased with how responsive she is and she really knows her stuff”.
North America
Hyman Phelps & McNamara, PC
Kurt Karst “is a real stand-out with a very talented specialism in generics and orphan drug issues,” highlight peers.
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP
Jennifer Bragg is “a wonderful attorney with a lot of common sense”, especially in enforcement issues.
Latin America
Kestener & Vieira Advogados
Beatriz Kestener is a go-to in the Brazilian market for life sciences matters, and has over 20 years of experience with litigious matters in the healthcare sector.
Mattos Filho
Ana Sammarco is celebrated for her “pragmatic approach, sound legal advice with a tint of pragmatism”. Her “analytical capabilities and excellent interpersonal skills” are further praised.
Pinheiro Neto Advogados
Angela Fan Chi Kung is an esteemed practitioner rated as “one of the references in the life sciences regulatory area”. “She really is excellent,” as one source notes.
Camila Parise is “highly regarded in the regulatory area for her tremendous knowledge” in high-value healthcare trials.
Rubens Granja
Rubens Granja is “well respected” for his “outstanding technical knowledge, strategic mindset and timely delivery” in handling regulatory mandates of time and material sensitivity.
Souto Correa Advogados
Anderson Ribeiro “handles regulatory matters in Brazil impeccably – he really understands the needs of clients,” touts one source.
Asia-Pacific
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Kenji Utsumi is a well-known and highly regarded practitioner who has built an impressive practice advising global and domestic companies on pharmaceutical regulations.
Ropes & Gray LLP
Katherine Wang is “one of the leading lawyers in the market with strong experience” in a variety of regulatory matters.
TMI Associates
Satoru Nagasaka comes in for high praise thanks to his in-depth knowledge of regulatory disputes. Sources describe him as a “first choice for regulatory issues”.
Transactional
Most listings in WWL: Life Sciences 2023 — Transactional
EMEA
Accura Advokatpartnerselskab
Thomas Weincke ranks highly among peers thanks to his more than 20 years of experience in financing and M&A transactions across the life sciences sector.
Advokatfirman Delphi
Per Lagerkvist is a trusted and skilled corporate transaction specialist who is sought after for his work on M&A and venture capital investments in the life sciences and manufacturing markets.
ALTIUS
Philippe de Jong comes highly esteemed for his “strong focus on the life sciences sector” and longstanding experience in EU and Belgian cases.
DORDA Rechtsanwälte GmbH
Martin Brodey is “one of the best in Austria” according to peers, who highlight his particular “strengths in M&A”.
Gowling WLG
Patrick Duxbury enjoys a formidable reputation as “a brilliant lawyer” who is renowned in the life sciences sector for his market-leading transactional work.
Horn & Co Law Offices
Yuval Horn is recognised by peers and clients as “a specialist in life sciences” and “the best in Israel” for licensing, joint ventures and commercial matters.
Pinsent Masons
Allistair Booth is highlighted as “one of the best in the UK”, with sources endorsing him as “a solid and competent” lawyer.
Plesner Advokatpartnerselskab
Thomas Holst Laursen is recognised in the market as “a very experienced and highly regarded practitioner” with in-depth expertise in complex pharmaceuticals transactions.
Szecskay Attorneys at Law
Sándor Németh is recommended extensively by peers as “one of the best in Hungary” owing to his impressive track-record handling biotechnology and M&A transactions.
North America
BCF LLP
Gino Martel is lauded as a top-tier practitioner with “significant experience in M&A and financing arrangements in the pharmaceuticals industry”.
Cooley LLP
Jane Adams sits among the USA’s most prominent life sciences specialists and is commended for her expert handling of complex transactions in the sector.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP
Adam Golden is a seasoned practitioner who is held in high esteem for his practice representing life sciences clients in a wide range of transactions.
Goodwin Procter
Mitchell Bloom is well versed in advising public and private life sciences companies on M&A transactions, public offerings and capital finance matters.
Ropes & Gray LLP
Marc Rubenstein is revered in the US life sciences market for his vast experience in complex M&A, licensing and securities transactions.
Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz
David Lam receives comprehensive endorsements for his wide-ranging corporate practice focusing on the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industries.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Kenneth Clark garners acclaim for his exceptional track-record in large-scale biotechnology transactions.
Latin America
Pinheiro Neto Advogados
Angela Fan Chi Kung is singled out as “an excellent lawyer” with a distinctive practice advising clients in the human and animal health fields.
Veirano Advogados
Renata Fialho de Oliveira is recognised by peers as one of Brazil’s leading life sciences lawyers and comes highly recommended for her work on M&A, restructurings and dispositions.
Asia-Pacific
JSA
Sajai Singh is “one of the best in India” according to market commentators who note his “vast experience” in matters related to the life sciences sector.
Norton Rose Fulbright Australia
Bernard O’Shea is a first-class practitioner in Australia, well known for his unique transactional offering for clients in the life sciences sector.
Research methodology
The 2023 research process saw thousands of practitioners and referees responding to our requests for feedback on the market, resulting in lawyers and expert witnesses from 93 countries being listed, while more than 850 law firms, barristers’ chambers and consulting firms are represented.
This year alone, respondents also provided more than 10,500 individual comments on the practitioners under consideration. This extraordinary response has meant that for the second time, we have been able to publish a selection of the feedback received for each practitioner with a professional biography. This incredible selection of feedback can be viewed on our Market Insight Tool.
Full details on our research process can be found on our FAQ page. If you have any feedback on our research, please email us at editorial@whoswholegal.com.
