Arnold & Porter reinforces patent practice with Fieldfisher hire

Arnold & Porter’s London IP practice now counts three partners, one counsel and five associates. Beatriz San Martin is the only partner with a significant focus on patent disputes, and brings experience in handling cases before the UK courts and the European Court of Justice.

Her arrival bolsters a team which has recently experienced a series of departures. In May 2018 the firm lost partner Christopher Stothers and counsel Laura Whiting, as well as two associates, to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. The departing team had a strong focus on patents.

Scientific credentials

Prior to her legal career, San Martin worked as a scientist specialising in genetics, cellular and molecular biology. After a two-year traineeship at Clifford Chance, in 2004 she joined Fieldfisher’s IP practice. San Martin became a partner at Fieldfisher in 2013. 

San Martin also focuses on the healthcare industry, regularly advising clients from the pharmaceutical, medical devices and medical imaging industries. Recently, she advised a major European pharmaceutical manufacturer in a dispute over SPC regulation before the UK Court of Appeal and the CJEU.

San Martin also advises companies from industries such as software, insulation products or agrochemicals, for example for fertilizer manufacturer OroAgri. Additionally to patent and SPC cases, San Martin also advises on and litigates for other IP rights and technical trade secrets.

Ian Dodds-Smith, head of Arnold & Porter’s London office, says, “Beatriz’s arrival will bolster the firm’s IP capabilities in London and enhance our premier life sciences platform. Beatriz’s experience handling complex cross-border IP matters will greatly benefit our clients.”

Another loss for Fieldfisher

Beatriz San Martin’s move to Arnold & Porter comes shortly after patent litigator Nicole Jadeja joined the London life sciences team of Pinsent Masons in September. This year has seen the departure of four partners from Fieldfisher’s patent litigation practice.

Prior to Jadeja’s move, two other partners left the firm. In November 2018, patent litigator Diana Sternfeld joined the medical research charity LifeArc as head of intellectual property. Furthermore, in August 2019, Rebecca Baines took up a post as senior IP counsel at medical implant manufacturer Stryker. Four partners and six associates remain at Fieldfisher’s IP practice, with David Knight the only highly-recommended patent litigator.

Over the past few years, Fieldfisher has invested in building a pan-European patent practice. This includes making a significant hire in its Düsseldorf office. (Co-author: Mathieu Klos)