The promotions of Charlie French and Naomi Hazenberg (effective 1 May 2024) are a reflection of Bristows’ commitment to its unparalleled, full service offering across all IP-rich sectors and enhances the firm’s unique expertise in Life Sciences and Technology.

Charlie French

With a background in biochemistry and a deep understanding of the life sciences sector, Charlie specialises in contentious intellectual property matters. Advising on some of the biggest patent litigation cases in recent years, she works with clients across a diverse range of industries including shipping, software development and agriculture but has a particular interest in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

Charlie has extensive experience representing clients in complex patent litigation before the Patents Court (High Court) and Court of Appeal, as well as assisting parties in arbitration and licensing disputes, and coordinating clients’ strategies for global patent litigation and life-cycle management. Charlie has advised on disputes relating to small molecule pharmaceuticals, antibodies and antibody engineering technology, gene cloning and cell-based expression systems, drug delivery systems, formulations and dosage regimens.

In addition to co-authoring Bristows’ annual analysis of the most important UK patent litigation cases: the Patent Review of The Year, published by the CIPA Journal, contributing to Bristows’ Biotech Review publication and co-hosting a UPC podcast, Charlie is an active member of the Bristows’ Working Families and Carers Network.

Naomi Hazenberg

Naomi is a specialist patent litigator and has been an integral member of the Bristows’ team leading on some of the most complex trials in the UK. Her technical background in physics and detailed understanding of complex technology puts her in particular demand for cases in the technology, telecommunications and engineering sectors.

Naomi’s extensive litigation experience encompasses full High Court actions as well as appeals and complex interim applications both at first instance and in the Court of Appeal.

Naomi has experience working with a broad range of technical subject matters. She has advised clients on disputes relating to mobile technology, spanning a wide range of standardised technologies from the 2G, 3G and 4G systems, as a result of which she has amassed a wealth of experience dealing with issues that arise specifically in SEP litigation and FRAND disputes, as well as the complex confidentiality aspects of these cases. Naomi has also worked on cases concerning implementation patents covering aspects of the various operating systems. In this field, she has experience from the perspective of the implementer and the patentee, having assisted Samsung, Google, IPCom and Panasonic. Outside of telecommunications, Naomi’s cases have covered hydrocarbon exploration and extraction, renewable energy technology, aerospace technology and LED technology. In addition to her UK litigation experience, much of Naomi’s work involves multi-jurisdictional cases that have an emphasis on strategic and technical co-ordination.

Naomi has been a co-author of Bristows’ Patent Review of the Year publication for almost a decade and is the co-host of two podcasts, one focused on the UPC and one on FRAND.

Joint Managing Partners:

Adrian Sim: “Charlie and Naomi are key contributors to the unique culture here at Bristows, and the provision of service excellence to our clients. On behalf of everyone at the firm, I am thrilled to welcome them to the partnership.”

Stephen Smith: “Charlie and Naomi have exceptional experience and deep knowledge of the life sciences and technology sectors. We are privileged to have such fantastically talented people here at Bristows. We are also really pleased that we continue to improve the diversity amongst our partners with these promotions.”

For more information about Bristows LLP, our expertise, values and client service offering, please see www.bristows.com.