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Zoë Butler

Partner

Zoë
Butler

Partner

  • +44 (0)20 3040 8070
  • zoe.butler@powellgilbert.com
  • linkedin.com/in/zoe-butler
  • People
  • Zoe Butler

Zoë is an experienced IP litigator with a strong technical background and has advised clients on IP disputes relating to a broad range of technological areas and industry sectors.

Zoë is particularly known for her expertise in advising clients in complex patent disputes, often with an international element, and recently Zoë has acted for a range of clients from telecoms/electronics/software companies to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Zoë also advises on related issues arising from international technology standards, such as patent pools, licensing and FRAND, and counsels on patent litigation strategy, including pharmaceutical lifecycle management, with a wealth of experience in providing freedom to operate and due diligence advice.

In addition to representing clients before the UK courts (including up to the Supreme Court), Zoë has experience of European Patent Office opposition proceedings, and has represented clients in arbitration proceedings and mediations relating to technology contract disputes. Zoë has been involved in many multi-jurisdictional disputes, working with advisors from across Europe, North America, China, Korea, Japan and Australia, and, in many instances, has taken a role in coordinating such litigation.

Zoë has also been appointed by the UK court to supervise the execution of search and seizure orders by other firms.

Zoë frequently lectures on IP law, and is a tutor on the Oxford University Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice. She is also a contributor to the CIPA Guide to the Patents Act.   Zoë has also lectured on the Bristol University Law School Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series.

Zoë has been a partner at Powell Gilbert since its founding in 2007.

Key cases

  • AutoStore v Ocado (robotics)

  • Vestel v HEVC Advance & Philips (HEVC codec / FRAND licensing)

  • IPCom v Xiaomi (telecommunications / FRAND  licensing)

  • Biogen v Fresenius (adalimumab formulations)

  • Biogen v Gedeon Richter (adalimumab formulations)

  • Biogen v AbbVie (adalimumab)

  • ​Unwired Planet v Huawei & Others (telecommunications / FRAND licensing)

  • Good Technology v Airwatch (mobile management technology)

  • CompactGTL v Velocys (gas to liquid conversion)

  • Motorola Mobility v BT (digital TV)

  • Microsoft v Motorola Mobility (smartphones)

  • Mölnlycke v BSN Medical (wound dressings)

  • LG v Sony (blu-ray technology / FRAND licensing)

  • Apple v Nokia (smartphones)

  • Philips & Others v Alba (MPEG-2 / FRAND licensing)

  • Dr Reddy’s v Eli Lilly (olanzapine)

  • Ivax v Chugai (nicorandil formulations)

  • Sony Computer Entertainment v Ball (copy protection circumvention devices)

  • ​Allergan v Pharmacia (latonoprost)

  • Affymetrix v Multilyte (DNA microarrays)

  • Oxford Gene Technology v Affymetrix (DNA microarrays)

  • Pharmacia v Merck (COX 2 inhibitors)

  • Iomega v Nomai (trade mark/passing off – ZIP disc technology)

Qualifications
  • 1996 Solicitor
  • 2007 Solicitor Advocate
Education
  • MA (Natural Sciences and Law), Cambridge University
  • Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice, Bristol University
Awards and recognition
  • Managing IP EMEA Awards - UK Patents (Contentious) Firm of the Year (2021, 2019, 2018)
  • IAM Global IP Awards, UK Patent Law Firm of the Year (2020, 2019)
  • WIPR Influential Women in IP (2021)
  • IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals
  • Managing IP's IP Stars - Patent Star
  • Recommended Individual JUVE Patent UK
  • World IP Review Leader
  • Who's Who Legal Patents and Life Sciences Lawyer
  • Best in Patents at the Euromoney LMG Europe Women in Business Law Awards (2022, 2018, 2017)
  • Best in technology, media & telecommunications at the Euromoney LMG Europe Women in Business Law Awards (2016, 2014)
  • Leaders League, Innovation - Technology & IP - Leading Partners
  • LSIPR Life Sciences leaders (2018)
Connections and networks
  • AIPPI, ChIPs, EPLAW, IPLA and LSLA
  • Contributor to the CIPA Guide to the Patents Act
  • Tutor on the Oxford University Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property & Practice

Give thoughtful, timely and insightful advice… are consummate professionals, are always willing to listen and consider the opinions of others, and are a pleasure to work with.

IAM Patent 1000 2022

is a highly accomplished IP litigator, who is sought after by pharmaceutical and biotech companies for her experience and expertise with patent litigation before EU and UK courts

WWL 2022

a strong partner with a high profile for life sciences

JUVE 2022

a distinguished advocate, held in high esteem for her wealth of experience representing pharmaceutical and biotech clients in patent disputes.

WWL 2022

Zoë Butler has a razor-sharp mind. She is knowledgeable, adaptable, and friendly.

Chambers and Partners UK 2022

Zoë Butler is a brilliant team leader and superb with clients ‘exceptional in the TMT area…acted for some of the largest players in this sector.'

Legal 500 2022

…creative thinker with a strong understanding of a complicated and fluid area of law. The combination of her business mindset, legal fundamentals and creative thinking result in high-quality, focused counsel

IAM Patent 1000 2022

She is thorough, thoughtful and organised

Chambers and Partners 2021

Zoe is great - an incredibly thoughtful lawyer

Chambers and Partners 2021

Zoë Butler is superb at leading and co-ordinating teams on the largest of cases. She is absolutely unflappable even in the most difficult situations, and brings integrity and honesty which clients really value

Legal 500 2021

strong partner with a high profile in the pharma and biotech markets

JUVE Patents 2020

“immensely talented” and “really knows her stuff”

Who's Who Legal, Patents 2020

Professional, organised, calculated, and strategic, [she is] always mindful of business interests and are exactly what you’d want in outside counsel

IAM 1000: The World's Leading Patent Practitioners 2020

She is very impressive – she produces great, high-quality work and is really responsive

Chambers and Partners 2020

really hard-working, very good with clients and a very good strategist

Chambers and Partners 2019

fantastic IP litigator with a strong technical background

IAM 1000: The World's Leading Patent Practitioners 2019

"a delight to deal with" ... "expert and insightful views" on complex patent disputes

Who's Who Legal, Patents 2019

draws plaudits this year for her fantastic work in pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, representing and coordinating clients in multi-jurisdictional disputes

Who's Who Legal, Life Sciences 2019

receives high praise from respondents, and is frequently engaged in handling a range of patent disputes across the telecommunications and pharmaceutical sectors

Who's Who Legal, Patents 2019

very good grip on her cases and has a lot of good ideas

Chambers and Partners 2019

Zoe Butler is an extensively experienced patent litigator who stands out in our research thanks to her excellent work in the biotechnology field

Who’s Who Legal, Life Sciences 2018

"impresses enormously" because she "has extremely good judgement and is very bright."

Chambers and Partners 2018

a "market leader" in the life sciences space.

IAM 1000: The World's Leading Patent Practitioners 2018

brilliant advocate and fine strategist

Who's Who Legal, Patents 2017

Zoë Butler “readily springs to mind for referrals” says peers; her facility for coordinating complex cross-border matters that extend into North America and Japan proves particularly popular with electronics and software multinationals.

IAM 1000: The World's Leading Patent Practitioners 2016

Zoë Butler is renowned as one of the country’s finest patent litigators, and much of her work is on behalf of leading companies in the [Life Sciences] sector.

Chambers and Partners 2016

Zoë Butler is a seasoned patent litigator with experience handling difficult, high-value cases in life sciences, electronics, and oil and gas technology. Sources appreciate her strategic insights and practical case management.

Chambers and Partners 2016

Zoë Butler has experience of European Patent Office proceedings and is commended for her “innovation and technical brilliance.”

Who’s Who Legal 2015

“Brilliant litigator” Zoë Butler can effortlessly switch gears between different technical areas and ascends to the silver tier on the recommendation of peers.

IAM 1000: The World's Leading Patent Practitioners 2015

Zoë Butler advises clients on all IP rights although she is best known for litigating sophisticated patent cases in electronics and life sciences. She is recognised as one of the country’s leading IP lawyers, having an enviable client roster and record in life sciences patent disputes.

Chambers and Partners 2015

Demonstrating great range, Zoë Butler is at home on life sciences and high-tech cases, and is also an adroit performer across all areas of IP.

IAM 1000: The World's Leading Patent Practitioners 2014

Zoë Butler is “excellent, both as a litigator and on the science front.”

Chambers and Partners 2014

Zoë Butler is “an extremely skilled lawyer"

Legal 500 2013

Zoë Butler is “like a professional chess player: her strategic nous future-proofs her advice as she thinks through all the moves to the endgame”. She is “proactive and instantly puts patent owners at ease”.

IAM 1000: The World's Leading Patent Practitioners 2012

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