The ever-expanding intellectual property team at Shoosmiths Birmingham has hired its latest partner, an expert in national and international trade mark work. Dominic Murphy is the team’s eighth new recruit in recent years and follows hot on the heels of the appointment of partner, Victoria Bentley, who specialises in connected technology and complex high tech patent litigation.
Birmingham IP team
National head of IP Andy Brennan said the rapid expansion of the team, and its increasing knowledge and expertise, meant it was now one of the biggest of its kind in the city – with three partners, two legal directors and three associates.
“We’re determined to be recognised as the leading IP practice in the region and the go-to firm for complex technology and brand work. Dominic and Victoria’s appointments will help up to cement our current status and build on our reputation in the market,” he added.
The team works with local, national and global companies, in sectors including advanced manufacturing, automotive, energy and life sciences – and is made up of several lawyers with technical backgrounds and industry experience in genetics, microbiology, chemistry, software and engineering.
Andy said: “As more and more clients move into industry centred on technology, from connected manufacturing and smart energy to digital health and connected vehicles, our clients will be required to navigate new kinds of IP issues and this is where Victoria’s vision and skill set can really push the team into a new arena. Victoria’s knowledge of the smart technology sector and standards-based industries is second-to-none and it is a really exciting area for us to be moving into.”
“On the brands side, Dominic has been recruited to lead our established trade mark filing team and to support our brand litigation and licensing lawyers. Brand owners are increasingly looking to firms that can support all their trade mark needs under one roof and with Dominic on board, we are well positioned to provide a one-stop-shop solution to even more household names. Dominic has prosecuted and managed the portfolios of some of the world’s best known brands and I am confident that his energy and experience will help catapult our brands practice to the next level.”