Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge has secured the key hire of one of the City's top trademark lawyers in the shape of John Olsen, along with a 15-strong team from Field Fisher Waterhouse.

The team – which joins Edwards Angell today (16 March) – includes six associates, three paralegals, two secretaries, three administration support staff and one 'searcher'.

The hire of Olsen – thought to be one of the top-earning partners at Field Fisher – marks a significant boost for Edwards Angell as he brings with him around 80 clients including Mastercard, Elizabeth Arden and Tumi.

Olsen's move follows the resolution of his claim against Field Fisher, in which he made allegations of harassment and age discrimination, claiming that he had been subjected to a "campaign of harassment and intimidation" in recent years. It is understood that both parties reached a settlement in November last year.

The hires mark the first move into the trademark sector for Edwards Angell's City arm, which boasts a strong intellectual property (IP) practice in the US. Olsen will co-head the firm's international trademark copyright protection practice alongside New York-based partner Maria Scungio.

Edwards Angell's City partner-in-charge, Laurence Harris, commented: "We have been trying to build up our IP practice and the idea of building a UK capability comparable to our US capability was a very attractive proposition. John and his team will help us move toward that goal."

Olsen's arrival boosts the number of partners in Edwards Angell's London office up to 21.