Simmons & Simmons has announced the establishment of a new patent prosecution group, following the recruitment of Kevin Cordina, a patent attorney from CMS.

During his 11 years at Olswang (now CMS Law), Kevin worked with a wide range of clients from start-ups to multi-nationals, with a particular focus on technology, telecommunications and medical devices. Unusually, for a patent attorney, a large portion of his practice has been in contentious matters.

Simmons & Simmons has been at the forefront of IP law and practice for more than 40 years, with 22 specialist IP partners, and over 100 IP professionals in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The IP team advises clients, predominantly in the life sciences and TMT sectors, on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious issues. These range from multi-jurisdictional patent litigation to trade marks, brand management, copyright, privacy, and commercial and corporate transactions.

Launching a patent prosecution practice will provide Simmons & Simmons' clients with a full site of IP services from one trusted source. Kevin's primary focus is technology, telecoms and medical devices firms who are seeking to protect their IP in Europe. More broadly, the team will also work with the firm's corporate and commercial practice, providing an additional layer of support in evaluation, licensing, and transfer of patent portfolios during corporate acquisitions, and advice on IP aspects of commercial transactions.

The firm also announced that as of 1 January 2018 Michael Gavey took over from Rowan Freeland as Head of IP, London. Michael joined the firm in 2006 and is recognised for his expertise in IP transactions, including patent and technology licensing, collaborations, joint ventures and IP monetisation deals. He also has particular expertise in regulatory matters within the life sciences sector.

The new patent prosecution service is an example of Simmons & Simmons' continuing investment in IP and its strategy for the future. Head of IP, Michael Gavey says: ""Kevin's arrival and the launch of our patent prosecution practice represent a major development in Simmons & Simmons' legal and sector offering. It is unusual for clients to have access to patent attorneys outside the patent and trademark attorney firms, but the launch of the new service lines enable us to offer a more integrated service, which i believe will provide great benefits for our clients"".

Kevin Cordina also commented: ""I am excited to be joining Simmons & Simmons' highly-rated IP team to complete the range of IP services offered by the firm. Patent attorney services will fit seamlessly with the firm's well-established IP team to provide a full-service international offering. There are many exciting opportunities, both within Simmons & Simmons' existing clients and externally, who can benefit from the integrated practice group"".