Allen & Overy grows global IP practice with hire of life sciences specialist, Gemma Barrett

Gemma brings with her over a decade of experience working for some of the world’s leading life sciences and chemical companies, providing strategic advice on litigating patents before the English Courts. She has extensive experience of cross-border litigation within Europe, India and China, and is regularly called upon to coordinate worldwide litigation for the protection of her clients’ most important patents. Gemma has developed innovative and successful strategies to assist pharmaceutical companies in the enforcement of their rights to protect their patents. She also has wide experience of arbitrating IP disputes, both domestically and internationally.

Laëtitia Bénard, global co-head of Life Sciences at A&O said: “We are thrilled to have Gemma join us and grow the intellectual property law expertise that we can offer our Life Sciences clients. Gemma brings with her a wealth of experience in patent litigation within the life sciences specialism, and we are very pleased to have her join our firm.” 

With Gemma’s arrival, as well as the recent life sciences patent hire in Germany (Anna Wolters-Höhne), A&O’s global life sciences patent litigation partnership is made up of 50% female partners.