Edwards Angell splashes out on IP

The London office of Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge (formerly Kendall Freeman) has hired the head of Howrey’s trademark group Nick Bolter along with three other lawyers.

The move is a continuation of Edwards Angell’s strategy of building up in IP in the UK to mirror its US practice.

“When we merged 20 months ago we had nothing at all in IP in the UK, while the firm in the US has a very strong reputation,” said ­Laurence Harris, ­partner-in-charge at the firm’s London office. “But the business plan then was to build it up and we’ve been very buoyed by the speed of the growth.”

Bolter is the fifth partner to join Edwards Angell’s IP group in London in just over a year and the second high-profile trademark partner.

The hire follows that of the former head of the trademark and brand ­protection group at Field Fisher Waterhouse John Olsen along with a team of 15 in March.

Earlier last week the ­former global head of ­communications, media and technology at Allen & Overy joined Pillsbury’s London office as a partner.