Charles Russell Speechlys has appointed Robert Lundie Smith as a partner in its intellectual property team in London. Joining from EIP, where he spent 13 years and was head of UK patent disputes, Robert brings extensive experience in complex patent litigation and contentious IP work. His arrival further enhances the firm’s global IP offering and complements its established strength in soft IP and brand protection.
A seasoned litigator, Robert has led high-profile patent infringement and validity disputes across multiple jurisdictions. His scientific background—holding both a PhD and MSci in chemistry—provides valuable technical insight for clients in high-tech and standards-related cases. He also maintains strong connections with corporates, attorneys and litigation funders in the UK, Europe and the US, broadening the firm’s international reach.
Stewart Hey, divisional managing partner for litigation and dispute resolution, said Robert’s appointment ‘adds an exciting new string to our bow’ and supports the firm’s ambition to expand its global IP capabilities. Mary Bagnall, head of intellectual property, added that his ‘substantial experience in complex patent and technology disputes’ strengthens the firm’s ‘full-service offering for clients both here in the UK and internationally’.
Robert said he was ‘extremely thankful for the opportunity to lead the creation and development of the patent litigation practice’, adding that the coming years ‘will be a very interesting time for patent litigation’. He looks forward to collaborating with colleagues ‘across multiple geographies and key financial centres’.
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