Praised for its ‘unbeatable combination of experience, talent and tenacity’, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP operates for a consortium of notable clients in multi-faceted mandates that tackle complex issues such as SEP/FRAND and technically challenging M&A. Nicola Dagg helms the litigation side of the practice with her market traction in the most cutting-edge mandates, while Emma Flett, who leads the technology and transactional side of the practice, demonstrates a strong grounding in a litany of mandates, from private equity transactions and M&A to licensing and development issues. Daniel Lim is well positioned to represent clients in litigation that involves medical devices, SEP/FRAND, and blockbusters in the life sciences space. Steven Baldwin is notably active in the High Court, representing clients in relation to high-tech and life sciences issues. Another name to note is experienced litigator Jin Ooi, who is pre-eminent in the fields of life sciences and consumer products. Katie Coltart departed to Linklaters LLP in September 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘An unbeatable combination of experience, talent and tenacity. The team works hard for its clients to achieve the best results. Litigation is conducted effectively and efficiently. The team has the benefit of great strength and depth, ensuring that cases are appropriately resourced.'

  • ‘Nicola Dagg is a standout star. Highly intelligent, she understands her client's needs and objectives and is able to utilise her legal talent to obtain fantastic results.'

  • 'Jin Ooi is a standout member of the Kirkland team; clever, conscientious and a joy to work with. A standout talent with a real understanding of patent law.'
  • 'Steven Baldwin is wonderful to work with; intelligent and impressive on both technical and legal aspects of cases.'
  • ‘A firm with an incredibly deep bench of talent. When litigation become unmanageable for other firms Kirkland & Ellis will always manage to find another gear. This allows them to turn up to every hearing more prepared than the other side. Having such a strong presence across the sector means that their clients benefit from associates and partners with up-to-the-minute experience.’

  • ‘The patent litigation team at Kirkland is one of the best on the market, and full of some of the sharpest litigators around. They have the capacity for the biggest litigation and conduct both UK litigation and coordination of multi-centre transnational litigation.'

  • 'The team is led by Nicola Dagg, who has a massive reputation as the leader of her field and with a career at the top stretching over many years.’
  • ‘Jin Ooi is extremely clever and very thorough. He has also a gift for managing diverse aspects of different cases in various jurisdictions, such that litigation is run consistently and efficiently.'

Key clients

  • Intel
  • Lenovo & Motorola Mobility
  • Xiaomi
  • Pfizer
  • Astellas
  • British American Tobacco
  • Thales
  • Alcon
  • Novartis
  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
  • TCL Corporation
  • AutoStore
  • Samsung
  • Viatris
  • Meril Life Sciences
  • Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment Inc.
  • Advanced Bionics / Sonova
  • Pharmathen

Work highlights

  • Representing Lenovo in relation to a global FRAND licence determination action against Ericsson in the UK.
  • Representing Xiaomi, the third largest seller of smartphones in the world, in its substantial defence of global enforcement proceedings launched by Panasonic in the UK, UPC, Germany, and China.
  • Advising Astellas and The Regents on an end of patent lifecycle management mandate in relation to Astellas’ blockbuster lifesaving and extending prostate cancer treatment Xtandi®.

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.
Nicola Dagg
Nicola Dagg
Hall of fameKirkland & Ellis International LLP
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Jin Ooi
Jin Ooi
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Nicola Dagg, Emma Flett

Other key lawyers

Daniel Lim, Jin Ooi, Steven Baldwin