If the market is to be believed, Powell Gilbert has "set the world alight" and is "storming ahead". Since opening its doors in March 2007, the firm has been a story of continued growth and considered itself "lucky to recruit people who are absolutely top class". 2009 proved no different with the arrival of electronic specialist Ari Laakkonen from Bird & Bird, plus three associates from other leading law firms. Over the past 12 months it continued to represent Human Genome Sciences against Eli Lilly on the industrial applicability concept. It has also acted for Aerotel in a case concerning a telephone calling card patent.