With expertise in pan-European litigation strategy, Hogan Lovells International LLP safeguards a diverse array of innovative products across the industries of life sciences, consumer, telecoms, and media. The ‘exceptional’ Paul Brown spearheads the practice, harnessing his electronics and medical devices expertise to assist a litany of clients with global scale disputes. Other key figures include Stephen Bennett, who is regularly entrusted by pharmaceutical companies with complex litigation, and Daniel Brook, who is noted for his capabilities in handling complex pharmaceutical mandates. Katie McConnell utilises her extensive experience in the telecoms and technology sectors to represent a varied roster of clients in cross-border patent disputes. Stella Wong’s arsenal of skills includes medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and biotech-related patents. Other names to note in the practice include Emma Fulton and Dominic Hoar. Joel Smith departed in March 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Total commitment to the client, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Every need met and every problem considered, and a clever, innovative solution found.'

  • 'Nothing short of exceptional, particularly in the telecoms and FRAND environment.’

  • ‘Paul Brown is exceptional for any IT or telecoms-related work and FRAND work. There is nobody in the UK who knows more about it; he lives and breathes it.'

  • ‘The Hogan Lovells team has worked with us for years on our IP contracts, most of which need a deft hand when it comes to interesting positions put forward by our suppliers' involving patents in particular.'

  • 'Approachable, friendly, and more than happy to work with us as if an extension of our internal legal team. A wonderful balance between pragmatic and pernickety detail.’

  • ‘Katie McConnell and Alexandra Pearson are the real deal. Both are capable patent litigators and also know their way around complex IP-based contracts, which is critical for us when it comes to negotiating positions with our slightly unorthodox international suppliers.’

  • ‘Creative thinking-driven, good teamwork, and client-focused communication.'

  • 'The best IP team in London by a country mile.'

Key clients

  • Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp. Ltd
  • Astellas Pharmaceuticals
  • Eli Lilly
  • Akebia
  • Supponor
  • Astronics
  • Novartis
  • Lenovo
  • Solvay
  • Merck

Work highlights

  • Represented Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp. Ltd, the largest smartphone manufacturer in China, in the UK aspects of two global disputes with Nokia and Philips in relation to the terms of the fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licenses.
  • Defended Supponor successfully against infringement allegations at the first ever hearing before the Helsinki division of the Unified Patent Court, resisting applications for preliminary and permanent injunctions on the basis that the UPC did not have jurisdiction over the case.
  • Representing Eli Lilly in the long-running dispute relating to its cancer drug, pemetrexed.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Paul Brown

Other key lawyers

Stephen Bennett, Daniel Brook, Katie McConnell, Stella Wong, Emma Fulton, Dominic Hoar, Alexandra Pearson