Simmons loses two IP heads to Kilpatrick

Simmons & Simmons has been hit with the double loss of its London and New York IP heads to Kilpatrick Stockton.

Helen Newman, who has been a partner with Simmons since 1985, is joining Kilpatrick Stockton’s London office while Christopher Woods, a partner since 1993, will move to the US firm’s soon to open New York office which will go live on 1 September.

As yet it has not been decided who will replace Newman’s position in London. The firm does not have any plans to replace Woods in New York and his departure means that Simmons currently has no IP capability in New York.
However a spokesperson said: "Our IP practice is international so we will continue to serve our clients internationally."

The laterals are a huge boost for Kilpatrick Stockton which has been rapidly expanding in London and late last year moved to a Canary Wharf to house its growing lawyer base.

The firm’s decision to open in New York has been influenced by US conglomerate General Electric, after its commercial finance division, formerly known as GE Capital, undertook a review of its law firms.

As well as IP, Kilpatrick’s New York office will focus on property, property finance and finance.