Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has hired a senior patent attorney for its Sydney office.

Philip Kerr joined the firm from Linklaters-aligned Allens, where he had been a partner for over 30 years, specializing in patent, copyright, trademark and design disputes.

Kerr has been at the forefront of patent disputes in Australia for some of the world's largest companies and was one of the Law Council of Australia's representatives on the drafting committee that prepared the current Australian Patents Act, Quinn Emanuel said.

"We are very excited to have someone of Philip's caliber join us. He brings unparalleled IP experience and knowledge which will expand the expertise we offer to our clients in Australia," said Michelle Fox, co-managing partner of Quinn Emanuel's Sydney office.

Kerr said he was excited to join the firm and to be "further building its local IP practice."

Quinn Emanuel now has 23 lawyers, including six partners, in Sydney and Perth.

In a statement, Allens' partner and IP practice head Miriam Stiel noted that Kerr retired as an Allens partner in 2014 and remained at the firm as a Senior Patent/Trade Mark Counsel until the end of 2019.

"He has now decided to take on a role at a new firm and we wish him the best for the future," she said.