Global law firm Baker & McKenzie has further enhanced its leading Intellectual Property Practice Group and Global Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry Group with the appointment of highly regarded patent litigation and life sciences lawyer Hiroshi Sheraton as a partner.

Hiroshi, who graduated from Cambridge in Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) and trained as a medicinal chemist in industry, has extensive patent law experience, having led and coordinated High Court cases and pan-European patent litigation for several high-profile clients. He has significant experience in issues affecting the life sciences industry and has advised clients in the fields of microarray technology, enzymatic research tools, antibody production, microfluidics and medical devices. He's also versatile, having extensive focusin all areas of intellectual property work, including trade marks litigation.

Hiroshi joins the Firm from McDermott Will & Emery where he was a partner and London co-head of the Intellectual Property practice. He will be based in London and will form part of the Firm's leading Global Intellectual Property Group, working closely with Baker & McKenzie's London and global patent lawyers, including Stephen Jones (London), John Flaim (Dallas and Chair of the Global IP Practice Group) and Jochen Herr (Munich).

Baker & McKenzie Head of the London Intellectual Property Practice Michael Hart said, "Hiroshi is a highly regarded IP lawyer whose excellent experience in patent litigation and the life sciences sector, as well as other areas of IP law, makes him an ideal addition to our team. His appointment adds considerably to our existing patent strength and demonstrates our strong commitment to growing our UK, European and global patent practice in support of our client's needs."

Baker & McKenzie Global Head of the Intellectual Property Group John Flaim said, "We're extremely pleased to be adding someone with Hiroshi's patent litigation competence to our global practice group. His cross-jurisdictional experience, particularly in Europe, will not only strengthen our European IP practice but will enable us to bolster the services we are able to provide to clients."

Hiroshi Sheraton commented: "Very few firms, if any, have the brand or global footprint to rival Baker & McKenzie in the IP space. This particularly appealed to me given that much of my work is of an international nature and I'm delighted to be joining the Firm and to be part of its growth plans."

Hiroshi's appointment further adds to the Firm's patent strength in Europe following the appointment of Dr. Jochen Herr as patent litigation partner in February 2013. Dr. Herr joined from Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP in Munich and is one of only a few lawyers in Germany admitted as an attorney, patent attorney as well as European patent attorney. He is focused on representing clients in litigious patent cases before the infringement courts as well as before the federal, German and European patent courts.

Baker & McKenzie's London IP Team acts for many of the world's best known IP owners in a variety of industry areas, and is made up of more than 30 IP lawyers, including in the patents field highly experienced solicitor and patent attorney Stephen Jones. The team has cutting-edge patents, copyright, trade marks, design and trade secrets experience, along with a full service IP litigation and non-contentious capability.

Earlier this month Baker & McKenzie also announced the appointment of leading London-based pharmaceutical lawyer Julian Thurston as a consultant in its Global Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry Group. Julian is regarded as one of the top life sciences transactional lawyers in the UK, Europe and globally. He focuses on strategic joint ventures, licensing and collaborations with a particular emphasis on the high growth markets, especially China, Latin America and Russia.

Jane Hobson Chair of Baker & McKenzie's Global Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry Group said: "The appointment of Hiroshi, alongside the recent appointment of Julian Thurston, will be a huge asset to our global pharmaceutical practice and enhances the services we can provide to our clients globally. "
Baker & McKenzie's Global IP practice group numbers more than 400 IP practitioners in nearly 40 countries and has recently been recognized by Chambers and Partners as the winner of Global Law Firm of the Year for Intellectual Property.

Baker & McKenzie's Global Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry Group comprises more than 450 lawyers and other legal professionals who serve pharma, biotech, medical device and healthcare companies across a variety of areas, including: M&A and corporate transactions; tax; compliance and regulation; antitrust; disputes and intellectual property.