Berwin Leighton Paisner IP exits continue as long-serving partner joins Farrers
De Freitas is the latest partner to leave BLP following a restructuring of the firm's IP practice
March 30, 2017 at 06:03 AM
2 minute read
Farrer & Co has hired Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) London intellectual property (IP) partner Ian De Freitas. He is the latest partner to leave the firm's IP practice following a restructuring that sees the firm pull out of trade mark licensing and disputes work.
De Freitas, departs after more than 26 years at BLP, is set to join Farrers – best known for being the Queen's lawyers – as a partner on 18 April.
He focuses on IP, IT and data matters that involve litigation and regulatory investigations.
De Freitas will be expected to support clients with new data protection rules coming into effect in May 2018.
He said: "It is an exceptionally busy time for clients who are preparing for the General Data Protection Regulation. After it takes effect, there will be a move towards regulatory enforcement and litigation. Farrers has been gearing up for this and I very much look forward to combining my experience with theirs."
Earlier this month, Legal Week revealed that BLP is pulling out of trademark licensing and disputes work. As a result, the team, including IP head Simon Clark, is set to leave the firm as it refocuses on its core sectors.
Clark is set to join London firm Bristows at the start of the new financial year, alongside trade mark attorney Ian Gruselle and seven other lawyers and support staff. Clark has spent 13 years at BLP, after joining from Addleshaw Goddard in late 2003.
The retreat comes as BLP continues to implement a strategy built around real estate, infrastructure, private wealth and financial services sector clients, and will effectively leave the firm without a dedicated UK IP litigation practice.
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