Law firm Powell Gilbert, which specialises in intellectual property (IP), has promoted two new partners across its offices in Britain and Ireland.

Senior associates Bryce Matthewson and Peter FitzPatrick (small picture) became partners with effect from 1 April and bring the firm’s total number of partners in Britain and Ireland to 15.

Both lawyers are qualified as solicitors in England and Ireland, and both are registered UPC (Unified Patent Court) representatives.

Dublin office

Matthewson is an experienced patent litigator with a focus on the life-sciences sector and will join the firm’s partnership in London and Ireland.

FitzPatrick advises across all major areas of IP litigation, with a particular focus on disputes in the IT and electronics sectors.

Powell Gilbert says that Fitzpatrick joins the partnership in Ireland, where he will be based full-time and will play a leadership role in the Dublin office.

The firm’s Dublin office was launched in May last year to support its work in advising and representing clients in European patent disputes before the UPC, which began operations in June 2023.

The appointments come ahead of a constitutional referendum in June on Ireland’s participation in the UPC.