This follows the recent appointment of Paul Keller as partner in the U.S. Litigation and global IP practice. Benjamin’s addition is in line with Allen & Overy’s strategy to develop a premier, global IP litigation practice with capability across Asia, Europe and the US.
Benjamin is a trained scientist with a masters and Ph.D. in chemistry and a seasoned US patent attorney who has more than 13 years of experience representing multinational companies in enforcing and protecting their IP rights in China, defending Chinese companies in US courts in infringement actions and advising on the full range of non-contentious IP matters. He was recognized by Chambers Asia and Legal 500 as a leading intellectual property practitioner in China for 2008-2011 and named by IAM (Intellectual Asset Management) Magazine as top IAM 250 – The World’s Leading Life Sciences Patent Litigators for 2010 and IAM Licensing 250: The World’s Leading Patent and Technology Licensing Practitioners for 2010.
His recent representative matters include acting as lead counsel for multinational companies, as plaintiffs or defendants, in patent infringement suits in China; acting as lead IP counsel and advisor to a Canadian manufacturer on comprehensive IP strategies for a billion dollar strategic alliance with its Chinese counterpart and negotiating successfully against the Chinese party; advising several Global 500 companies on IP licensing strategies in China and IP strategies for R&D activities in China; defending Chinese companies in patent infringement suits in various U.S. courts; and advising Chinese companies on IP due diligence and building strategic patent portfolios.
Chairman of Allen & Overy’s Global IP Group, Geert Glas, commented: “IP rights are being fought over more fiercely, with a growing number of high value multi-jurisdictional disputes spanning the US, Europe and Asia in particular. Over the past eighteen months we have made strategic appointments in London, New York and now China, reinforcing our position at the forefront of this highly specialised field. We are delighted to welcome Benjamin to the team.”
Thomas Brown, the Asia Pacific managing Partner added: “Benjamin’s wealth of experience enables us to develop a strong IP litigation practice in Asia, meeting our objective to strengthen our capability on multi-jurisdictional, patent litigation offering to our clients globally. We look forward to having Benjamin on board.”
Upon his arrival, Benjamin said: “I am excited to be heading the IP practice for Allen & Overy in China and to serve the IP needs of its clients around the world. IP is of growing importance to multinational companies and Chinese businesses and we expect more competition will be IP driven around the world. Allen & Overy is well positioned to assist clients in such challenges ahead.”
Benjamin has authored numerous IP related articles and has been a frequent speaker on IP issues. Prior to Allen & Overy, he was a partner at Jones Day and built and co-headed its IP practice in China.
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