International law firm Simmons & Simmons has announced the hire of chartered trade mark attorney, Marisa Broughton, to the firm’s Bristol office.

Marisa joins Simmons’ leading international multidisciplinary IP team as a partner.

Marisa joins the firm from Withers & Rogers LLP, where she has been a partner since 2012. During this time, she has built a reputation for her expertise in strategic portfolio management, multi-jurisdictional brand clearance, prosecution of trade mark applications and dispute resolution.

Commenting on Marisa’s hire, UK IP head Michael Gavey said: “Marisa’s arrival will put in place an IP presence through Simmons’ Bristol office, which will support the broader growth of the firm’s international IP team. In the last year we’ve seen significant strategic hiring, particularly in Germany where we strengthened our patents offering, and I’m pleased that we are continuing this ambitious IP growth in the UK.”

Darren Meale, an expert in brands IP litigation and portfolio management said: “Marisa’s energy and expertise is certain to further grow our reputation as a leading trade mark practice that delivers cutting edge and commercial advice to growing and established brands around the world. I have no doubt that Marisa will support the growth of our IP client base, working to bring our trade mark services to clients across the Simmons network.”

On arriving at Simmons, Marisa commented: “Joining the Simmons IP team, I will be able to provide the bench strength necessary to develop existing Simmons clients who do not already use the firm for contentious and non-contentious trade mark work. Furthermore, the Simmons platform provides a wealth of cross-selling opportunities to develop clients in the TMT space and I look forward to exploring this avenue for growth.”

Marisa’s arrival follows Simmons’ hires of Dr Fritz Lahrtz and Dr Stephanie Nottrott in Munich at the beginning of the year, who brought with them a team of patent partners and attorneys to significantly expand the firm’s IP network out of Europe.