Intellectual property (IP) specialist firm Rouse Legal has recruited rated patent litigator Richard Willoughby from Howrey.

Willoughby, who joined Rouse Legal at the beginning of the month, had been at Howrey since 2001 when he was brought in from Simmons & Simmons to build up the firm's European practice.

He has represented clients in the High Court, Court of Appeal and European Patent Office across all areas of IP.

Rouse Legal, formerly known as Willoughby & Partners, changed its name in 2006 to bring it in line with its parent company, the international IP consultancy Rouse.

The boutique. which counts BP, Diageo, Nokia, Shell and Sony Ericsson among its client base, is led by managing partner Karen Fong, and has a strong presence in Asia with offices in China, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.

The firm currently has 57 fee earners in the UK, including 15 partners.

Willoughby commented: "I have admired Rouse and its unique Asian presence for many years and am looking forward to helping them build their patent practice around the world."

Howrey's patent litigation team in the City is now left with three partners following Willoughby's departure – office head Mark Hodgson, Paul Inman and Marjan Noor.

Howrey London head Mark Hodgson added: "We are sorry to see him [Willoughby] go and wish him well for the future."