Pinsent Masons broadens London IP bench with triple partner hire

Joining from Deloitte Legal, partners Rachael Barber and Jeremy Harris and legal director Richard Reeve-Young will arrive at the firm today, with partner Paul Garland following on 9 June.

With more than 20 years’ experience in advising technology clients on strategic IP management, including the protection and enforcement of the full range of IP rights and other digital assets, Paul joins the firm having served as Global Head of IP and Technology at Deloitte Legal.

Rachael is a retail and luxury brand specialist, focusing on trademark, copyright and design enforcement together with strategic guidance regarding the administration of her clients’ IP portfolios. Her practice is founded on experience in advising some of the world’s leading luxury brands and retailers and Rachael is a leading expert in deploying AI to enhance online brand protection strategies.

Jeremy brings a broad IP practice capturing disputes, transactions and advisory work across all IP rights, advising on software, data and emerging technology IP issues. On the litigation front, he has acted for clients on matters ranging from copyright to database rights and breach of contract issues heard before the High Court. On the transactional side, he is a specialist in IP licensing transactions and joint ventures.

Richard’s practice focuses on advising clients on IP ownership, enforcement and exploitation strategies. He adopts traditional litigation and tech-enabled solutions for enforcement purposes and helps clients navigate the evolving legal landscape when implementing generative AI in their businesses.

Commenting on the arrival, Co-Head of Intellectual Property Tom Nener said: “Having Paul, Rachael, Jeremy and Richard join our IP team in London represents a significant expansion of our IP practice, particularly in the brand protection and technology space. With technological development disrupting traditional IP strategies, these hires position us to execute increasingly complex global work on behalf of high-profile brands and leading technology clients.”

Fellow Co-Head of Intellectual Property Judith Krens added: “Similarly, the team’s emphasis on enforcement means they are poised to leverage our suite of Alteria products on behalf of clients to monitor a brand’s IP and reputation online and remove threats as soon as they occur.”

On joining Pinsent Masons, Paul said: “Joining Pinsent Masons is the natural fit for the team as we look to further build out our enforcement and strategic IP management work with technology and brand-led businesses. Combining our expertise with Pinsent Masons' world-class IP capabilities allows us to immediately offer clients more effective and efficient solutions for their business-critical IP needs. With generative AI accelerating the challenges to intellectual and creative assets, our work on the IP risk management and enforcement front has never been more important to preserving brands’ integrity online.”

Rachael commented: “The luxury and retail sectors have transformed beyond belief in the past few years, becoming some of the most innovative and fast-moving industries globally. Working alongside Pinsent Masons’ best-in-class global IP team, and with its pioneering Alteria solutions, will enhance our ability to help our general counsel clients to automate and streamline how their IP assets are protected.”

Jeremy added: “Pinsent Masons has an outstanding reputation when it comes to advising technology-led IP businesses. Regarding both IP disputes and transactions, the firm’s global footprint and cross-team collaboration are an essential combination for clients navigating the fast-evolving technology landscape. There’s also a clear ambition to grow the practice even further. I’m excited to join a firm that complements my practice so perfectly.”