Glass

Legal Week - 6th September 2007

Mishcon de Reya has recruited a two-partner team from Pinsent Masons to enhance its intellectual property (IP) practice.

Partner Martyn Hann and barrister Les Christy both join the London firm’s IP practice this month as partners.

Hann has been a partner in Pinsents’ national out-sourcing, technology and commercial division since 2002 and has advised clients across the manufacturing, industrial and life sciences sectors.

Christy is a patent and trademark litigation barrister and solicitor. His practice focuses on the life sciences, engineering, arid technology markets.

The duo will also bring with them Pinsents’ assistant solicitor Mary Guinness.

The appointments are the latest in a series of senior hires by Mishcons, which has seen the London-based law firm grow to almost 60 partners. In the past 12 months, six new Partners have joined the firm, with three more already lined up to arrive this autumn.

In January, the firm recruited real estate partner James Garton from Berwin Leighton Paisner along with senior associate Mark Baker, who joined as a partner.

In the same month, Macfarlanes banking lawyer Luke Morris also joined Mishcons as a partner alongside employment partner Greg Campbell, who defected from the London arm of US practice Faegre & Benson.

The aggressive expansion comes after Mishcons this year unveiled a 70% rise in partner profits to hit £698,000 and a 35% turnover rise to £39.1m.