Lovells hires niche IP lawyer from Paris rival

`Dominique Ménard joins the firm today (4 June). Ménard set up the IP practice at Dubarry and specialises in patent litigation. His clients include IBM, Polo Ralph Lauren and Zippo.`He said that he moved to Lovells because a number of his clients are US companies and they need an international service. "The evolution of the market means that IP litigation is usually international," he said. He expects to bring most of his clients with him.`Managing partner of the Paris office Robert Follie, who believes lawyers from Anglo-Saxon firms generally fit into Lovells better, said that the IP area is an exception. "For this type of practice we need to take a different approach. Many of the good IP lawyers are in niche firms but there is no future in niche firms so they need to move," he said.