About Us

Founded to focus specifically on IP, Powell Gilbert is one of the most highly regarded and innovative IP litigation and advisory teams in Europe. We are uniquely positioned to navigate the complex and commercially critical IP matters faced by our clients.

We have been involved in some of the most high-profile and ground-breaking pieces of UK patent litigation, across a wide range of technologies and industries, and regularly feature in the top tier of the legal directories for IP and patent litigation, winning awards for our work.

As well as our extensive IP litigation experience in the UK, we are regarded by many as the go-to firm for advising on, and co-ordinating, IP disputes across Europe. With an exceptional team, many of whom have strong scientific and technical backgrounds, our depth of experience and proven track record means that we are ideally placed to advise clients on European IP litigation strategy, including the potential options now provided by the Unified Patent Court.

We work with organisations of all sizes – from start-ups to multinationals – across a range of knowledge, technology and brand-based industries, including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, electronics, telecommunications, medical devices, energy technologies and consumer goods. Our experience ranges from acting in many of the earliest and most complex biotechnology patent cases, to advising on some of the largest telecoms disputes and enforcing trade mark rights against counterfeits in the luxury goods sector.

In addition to litigating all aspects of IP rights, we regularly advise clients on complex technology contract disputes, both in the courts and in arbitration. We also assist clients with IP portfolio assessments and freedom to operate projects.

2023 WWL Awards
2023 JUVE
2023 Chambers UK
2023 MIP Firm of Year
2023 IAM Patent 1000

European IP Litigators

With years of experience in advising on, and coordinating, international IP disputes, we are a go-to firm for developing and implementing Europe-wide patent litigation strategies. Our flexible, market- leading European litigation offering is of the highest quality and has a proven track record of success in supporting clients with their European IP challenges.

We work as part of cohesive teams with other leading IP litigators across Europe to achieve the best results for our clients. Unlike many other IP firms, we are not limited by a fixed network of foreign offices. Instead, we have the flexibility to work with our clients’ chosen advisers or can assemble and manage bespoke teams on a case-by-case basis, bringing together the most appropriate trial lawyers for the relevant technology and for the relevant court.

As well as being solicitors, and solicitor advocates, able to appear before the UK courts, many of our lawyers – including all of our partners – are also admitted to practice as solicitors in Ireland and are registered as UPC representatives.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Powell Gilbert is involved in mentoring students aged 16 to 19 years, to provide personal and professional support to help the students achieve their academic and career aspirations.

Powell Gilbert is proud to support charitable initiatives for a variety of causes. We’re always keen to get involved and raise money, whether by dressing up, baking cakes or putting our running shoes on.

Powell Gilbert actively seeks to mitigate the impact of its business on the environment, including minimising energy consumption, extensive recycling schemes and encouraging cycling to work.

Diversity

We believe that our people are our most significant strength and that fostering an inclusive work environment with equal opportunities is instrumental to recruiting and retaining talented and diverse individuals and ensuring our ongoing success.

As such, we aim to maximise the potential of our team by promoting mutual respect and ensuring that everyone is seen as an individual first and foremost. We aim to support each individual at the firm and empower them to achieve, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, disability, marital or civil partner status or socio-economic background.

We regularly review our recruitment, retention and career progression policies to further our DEI goals. These policies include the implementation of flexible working initiatives and the roll-out of our market-leading maternity / paternity / adoption leave package. We work actively to support employees with caring commitments and strive to ensure that there is no “parenting penalty”. 

Each year, our staff are invited to participate in a Diversity Survey on an anonymous and voluntary basis. The data, based only on those individuals who completed the survey, can be found here.