Eversheds Sutherland has announced the appointment of Ruth Hoy and Huw Cookson as partners in its London-based intellectual property team, marking a strategic push to expand its contentious IP capabilities. Both lawyers join from DLA Piper.
The hires form part of the firm’s broader ambition to strengthen its position in high-stakes IP disputes, particularly as such matters become increasingly complex, commercial, and reputationally significant for clients. The pair will work closely with existing leadership, including David Wilkinson and Tobias Maier.
Hoy joins with more than 25 years of experience in UK and European IP litigation. She most recently served as London managing partner at DLA Piper and previously led the firm’s London Intellectual Property and Technology practice as well as its UK intellectual property sub-group. Her experience spans complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and urgent relief applications, including site-blocking injunctions against infringing content. She has particular sector expertise in retail, media, sport, and entertainment.
Cookson brings deep expertise in brand protection, enforcement, and complex IP disputes. His practice covers the full lifecycle of intellectual property rights, from ownership and commercialization to litigation. He has worked on landmark cases, including securing “persons unknown” injunctions to combat counterfeit goods, and has designed large-scale IP enforcement programs. Prior to private practice, he worked in-house at Tesco as IP and Advertising Counsel.
The appointments are intended to enhance the firm’s ability to advise clients across the full spectrum of IP disputes, reinforcing its litigation bench both in the UK and globally.
KEY QUOTES
“Ruth and Huw are outstanding lawyers with exceptional market reputations. Their arrival is a significant and exciting development for the firm, for our clients and for our wider practice, clearly reflecting our ambition to continue building one of the strongest contentious IP offerings in the market. Together, they enhance our ability to advise on strategically important, high-value and reputationally critical IP disputes in the UK and internationally. We’re absolutely delighted to welcome them to Eversheds Sutherland.”
Simon Gamlin, Partner And Commercial Advisory Practice Group Head, Eversheds Sutherland
“Ruth is one of the most respected IP litigators in the UK and brings proven leadership experience at the highest level. Huw is an exceptional partner with deep expertise in brand protection and enforcement. Together, they significantly expand our bench strength, locally and globally and further enhance our ability to support clients on their most complex and high-risk IP disputes.”
David Wilkinson, Partner And UK Head Of Intellectual Property, Eversheds Sutherland
“Ruth has an exceptional repertoire of expertise and proven experience in advising on some of the most complex, fast-moving and high-risk IP disputes in the market. Ruth and Huw are very welcome additions to our wider litigation capability, particularly as IP disputes continue to become increasingly commercial and reputationally critical for clients.”
Mark Davenport, Global Co-Head Of Litigation, Eversheds Sutherland
