We announce today the promotion of senior associate Claire Smith into the partnership. Claire is a member of the firm’s Commercial and IP transactions practice, which is one of the UK’s largest teams focusing on standalone intellectual property transactions. The four-partner group acts for clients such as AstraZeneca, De Beers, Diageo, Johnson & Johnson, The Francis Crick Institute and University College London.

Claire has over 15 years’ of experience advising clients on collaboration, licensing and other arrangements to develop and commercialise their technologies, brands and other valuable intellectual property assets. She also advises on the IP aspects of corporate and investment deals and works with clients across many industries such as life sciences, technology, media and consumer products. Claire has a unique background in life sciences having held quality assurance and project management roles in Abbott Laboratories’ medical device business prior to switching to a law career. She is currently serving as a member of the BioIndustry Association’s Intellectual Property Advisory Committee (IPAC) and has a particular interest in the cross-over between technology and life sciences in areas such as digital health.

“Claire is a standout lawyer and a wonderful colleague” said Marek Petecki, Co-Managing Partner of the firm, “We are thrilled to be welcoming her into the partnership at this exciting time in the firm’s development.”

Matthew Warren, Head of the Commercial IP practice at Bristows, also welcomed Claire to the partnership and commented “Our group is experiencing a particularly positive year, with Claire’s promotion, continuous growth, a full pipeline of work, and the election of Fiona Nicolson to the Presidency of the Licensing Executives Society International.” He added: “Claire is a brilliant lawyer and instrumental to the success of our team.”