International law firm CMS is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Shillito as a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property (IP) practice. Mark joins the firm after a 30-year career at Herbert Smith Freehills, where he led the firm’s global IP group for over nine years and the UK/US Disputes practice for six years.
Mark’s appointment builds on the recent hires of patent litigation partner Toby Sears and trademark and copyright specialist Ben Hitchens and underscores CMS’s commitment to the IP practice. It is the fourth major hire for the CMS UK IP group in six months and brings its total partner count to 17. The team is supported by over 130 lawyers, patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys and specialist IP administrators and paralegals.
Commenting on Mark’s arrival, Sarah Wright, Head of IP at CMS UK, says: “Mark is a recognised industry heavyweight and distinguished leader across patent and IP disputes. He brings with him an outstanding reputation and renowned cross-sector experience which further strengthens the team’s proficiencies and bolsters our ability to service clients on their most critical mandates. Mark’s appointment is a clear indication of the firm’s ambition and commitment to investing in the growth of our IP team, and in particular in patent litigation. We are delighted he has chosen to join us.”
With over 30 years’ experience, Mark is renowned for handling a broad array of intellectual property disputes covering all of the core rights. He also advises on crisis management and IP-driven transactions and has significant experience across the TMT, FMCG and life sciences sectors, amongst others.
Mark comments: “I’m delighted to be joining such a talented team and one which is so demonstrably in growth mode. CMS’s full-service offering and ‘cradle to grave’ IP service, delivered sectorally, is a powerful combination which clients find compelling. I’m excited to help further develop CMS’s leading IP practice and the firm’s patent litigation offering, in particular.”
