International law firm Bird & Bird today expands its Intellectual Property practice with the appointment of patent litigation specialist José Miguel Lissén Arbeloa as a partner in Madrid. He comes to the firm from Gómez-Acebo & Pombo in Madrid.

With over 22 years of experience as a patent litigator, José Miguel brings his extensive expertise in patent and trade secrets litigation. He advises companies especially in the technology, communications and life sciences industries on the protection and commercialisation of intangible assets and IP rights as well as handling disputes of all kinds in the IP and trade secrets area.

José Miguel is acknowledged by the main law directories, including Chambers Global, Chambers Europe, IP Stars and Best Lawyers as an outstanding specialist in patent litigation and licensing in Spain. He is also a member of the Board of LES Spain and Portugal as well as a member of EPLAW.

The appointment of José Miguel will continue to grow the Spanish part of Bird & Bird’s Intellectual Property group alongside partners Manuel Lobato and Mariano Santos so as to meet the increasing demand this Band 1 practice is experiencing from both Spanish and international clients.

Manuel Lobato, head of the Intellectual Property practice in Madrid says: “I’m delighted to welcome José Miguel to Bird & Bird. His appointment marks the next stage of growth for our intellectual property team in Madrid particularly in the area of patent and trade secrets disputes as we continue to broaden our client base in an area for which Bird & Bird is internationally regarded. José Miguel’s expertise and wide-spread industry experience will be a valuable asset for our team and I look forward to working with him.”

Morag Macdonald, co-head of the international Intellectual Property practice at Bird & Bird comments: “Our international Intellectual Property practice at Bird & Bird will benefit enormously from José Miguel’s appointment. His expertise as a patents advocate and IP counsellor gives even more strength and depth to the Spanish part of our practice. We are looking forward to welcoming him to our extensive European cross border IP team and to working with him as part of our international offering to clients.”

José Miguel adds: “I’m very much looking forward to working with my new colleagues in the International Intellectual Property team at Bird & Bird, both in Spain and across the firm’s network. Bird & Bird’s international platform will allow me to further build my practice as well as target clients with pan-European IP issues and complex multijurisdictional needs. ”