Herbert Smith Freehills strengthens its European IP platform with the promotion of Emily Bottle in Italy

Among the new appointments is Emily Bottle, an IP lawyer with extensive experience in patent litigation in the life sciences sector.

Emily advises some of the most prominent companies in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors, handling complex litigation involving patent portfolios critical to clients' businesses. Prior to obtaining a Postgraduate Diploma from Oxford University, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Sciences, specialising in Neuroscience. This scientific background has enabled her to specialise in highly technical litigation in the areas of genetic diagnostics, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibody-based therapies.

A key part of Emily's practice is co-ordinating pan-European and global patent cases, including before the European Patent Office and the newly established Unified Patent Court, which will have its central life sciences division in Milan starting from June. She also deploys her qualification as a solicitor in England & Wales to litigate in front of the English Patents Court and Court of Appeal.

Emily also co-ordinates the pro bono activities of Herbert Smith Freehills' IP team in London and is part of the leadership team of ChIPs Network, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and connecting women in technology, law and politics. She is also actively involved in educating students about STEM careers, highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in IP.

Emily has been an integral part of the firm's Milan office since its inception and has been instrumental in its development. Emily currently splits her time between the London and Milan offices, providing an important trait d'union in the firm's cross-border team.  

With Emily's promotion, the Milan office now counts a total of eight partners and three of counsel. 

"Emily has been part of our Milan office since its inception. Her promotion confirms the value of integrating the Italian office into the firm's international network and further strengthens the Milan-based cross-border team dedicated to coordinating pan-European patent litigation. This is a particularly strategic promotion at this historic moment, just a month away from the opening of the central division of the Unified Patent Court in Milan," said Laura Orlando, Italy Managing Partner and Global IP Head of Herbert Smith Freehills.

Emily Bottle said: "I am excited to take on this new challenge and feel fortunate to be working with incredible clients and wonderful colleagues across the firm, on some of the biggest patent disputes in Europe and worldwide. The opportunity to contribute even more to the success of our firm at a time of great change in the IP legal sector is particularly rewarding. The imminent opening of the third chamber of the Unified Patent Court in Milan, specialising in chemistry, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, creates really interesting scenarios for our clients and for the future of our practice."

This round of promotions is a coherent expression of Herbert Smith Freehills' 'Ambition' strategic project, which aims to manage the firm's growth by covering a wide range of practice areas and sectors and further strengthening our international network. The new partners are based across the firm's global network in Asia, Australia, EMEA, the UK and the US. 

The appointments will take effect as of 1 May 2024.