Norton Rose hires Allen & Overy IP litigator

Evans, who focuses on patent litigation, moved to the magic circle outfit in 2009 from Wragge & Co alongside DLA Piper IP partner Neville Cordell (22 June 2009).

The hire follows news of Norton Rose’s merger with US firm Fulbright & Jaworski, which is set to go live next June (14 November 2012).

Evans’ sector specialisms include technology, telecoms and pharmaceuticals. He will become the firm’s fourth London-based IP partner alongside Emea practice head Mike Knapper, litigator Jonathan Ball and technology head Mike Rebeiro.

Knapper said in a statement: “Huw joins us at an exciting time. Norton Rose’s IP practice is in growth mode and is set to expand to approaching 200 practitioners with the firm’s combination in June 2013 with leading US firm Fulbright & Jaworski, enabling us to offer clients expert IP advice on a truly global basis.

“Huw’s recruitment is the latest step in the development of our European IP practice and his first-rate expertise, reputation and client base will further strengthen our three-partner, 15-associate team in London.”

The firm said its global disputes team had quadrupled in size since January 2010, now comprising over 500 lawyers.

It recently hired CMS Cameron McKenna regulatory and disputes head Liam O’Connell in a boost for its contentious insurance practice (7 September 2012).

That followed the recruitment of Bindmans crime head Neil O’May earlier this year (27 July 2012).

Norton Rose is planning launches in Brazil next year and Mexico within five years, it confirmed last week (16 November 2012).

Meanwhile, CEO Peter Martyr also said the combined firm will operate separate partner remuneration systems and committees for the UK and US operations but intends to make them as similar as possible to each other (19 November 2012).

An A&O spokesperson said in a statement: “Huw Evans has decided to leave Allen & Overy. We would like to thank him for the contribution he has made during his time at the firm, and we wish him all the best for the future.”