Powell Gilbert has recruited Linklaters' former head of intellectual property (IP) Anna Carboni in a boost for the firm's trademark practice.

The highly-rated trademark lawyer joins the City IP boutique from Wilberforce Chambers, where she has been a barrister since leaving Linklaters in 2003.

Carboni will be the eighth partner at the boutique, which was launched by a five-member group of ex-Bristows partners in 2007 and is noted for its patents practice.

Carboni (pictured) headed Linklaters' IP group for around two years from 2001 after making partner in 1996. She qualified as a barrister upon leaving Linklaters.

Commenting on her return to a law firm, Carboni told Legal Week: "This is a great opportunity to put the advocacy skills I have acquired into practice and combining the things I most like to do. Powell Gilbert is the ideal-sized firm for my practice."

Powell Gilbert founding partner Simon Ayrton said: "We are thrilled Anna will be joining us. She brings enormous talent and experience to drive the continued expansion of our trademark and soft IP dispute resolution practice. We are very proud she has decided to join us – it's a great accolade for the firm's achievements so far."

Last year Powell Gilbert also added to its partnership with the hire the former head of Nokia's European IP rights litigation group, Ari Laakkonen.