Brown Rudnick seals City hire of Heller partner

Intellectual property (IP) partner Richard Penfold, who is set to join Brown Rudnick's City corporate group, is the US firm's first IP partner to take up office in the UK.

He represents clients in the software, cleantech, e-commerce, gaming, publishing, entertainment and digital media sectors.

Penfold joined the stricken Heller in August from DLA Piper's London office, where he had been a partner since joining the firm in 2004.

Penfold commented on his move: "The London office has built top-tier practices in many areas that align with my practice. I look forward to applying my industry knowledge and legal skills to address clients' specific IP issues."

Brown Rudnick has been steadily expanding its London offering over the last 12 months with a series of key hires.

In September, the firm hired former Bear Stearns lawyer Sonya Van de Graaff as a banking and restructuring partner.

Earlier this year private equity partner Roger Gregory joined from Nabarro, while insolvency specialist Louise Verrill joined as a partner form Addleshaw Goddard.