Making a major play in IP disputes with senior double hire

The appointments represent a key strategic investment in contentious IP and further reinforce the global law firm’s depth in this area alongside existing partners David Wilkinson, UK Head of Intellectual Property, and Tobias Maier, Global Co-Head Intellectual Property with whom Ruth and Huw will work closely.

Both lawyers bring a first‑class track record in contentious IP matters, strengthening Eversheds Sutherland’s ability to advise clients across the full spectrum of IP disputes.

Ruth joins Eversheds Sutherland as a lateral partner, bringing more than 25 years’ experience at the forefront of UK and European IP litigation, with deep expertise across all contentious IP matters (excluding patents). Her practice has a particular focus on retail, media, sport and entertainment, sectors where IP risk is increasingly commercial, fast‑moving and reputationally sensitive.

Currently Managing Partner of DLA Piper’s London office, Ruth has also previously led the firm’s London Intellectual Property & Technology (IPT) practice group and the UK Intellectual Property sub‑group, giving her extensive experience in building, managing and developing high‑performing IP teams.

Ruth has acted in a number of ground‑breaking cases across the UK and Europe, including complex multi‑jurisdictional disputes, and is particularly well known for her experience in urgent relief applications, including search orders and site‑ and content‑blocking injunctions compelling UK broadband providers to restrict access to infringing material.

She is consistently ranked by legal industries directories, Legal 500, Chambers & Partners as well as the WTR 1000, and is recognised by Managing Intellectual Property as an ‘IP Star’. Legal 500 describes Ruth as being “great with clients, incredibly efficient, and always has a practical solution”. The directory adds “Ruth Hoy and her team (including Huw Cookson) are second to none on technical soft IP cases”.

Huw, who joins Eversheds Sutherland as a partner, brings deep experience and expertise in brand protection, enforcement and complex IP disputes. He advises clients across the full lifecycle of IP rights, including ownership, maintenance, protection, clearance, commercialisation and dispute resolution, both pre‑action and through formal litigation.

Huw has played a key role in a number of innovative and first‑of‑their‑kind IP cases, including securing a landmark “persons unknown” injunction to combat the sale of counterfeit goods. He has extensive experience designing and implementing large scale IP enforcement programmes, as well as obtaining site‑blocking injunctions on behalf of rights‑holders against major UK broadband providers. Prior to joining DLA Piper, Huw worked in-house at Tesco as IP and Advertising Counsel.

Huw is recognised as a ‘Key Lawyer’ by The Legal 500 and a ‘Rising Star’ by IP Stars.

Simon Gamlin, Partner and Commercial Advisory Practice Group Head, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“Ruth and Huw are outstanding lawyers with exceptional market reputations. Their arrival is a significant and exciting development for the firm, for our clients and for our wider practice, clearly reflecting our ambition to continue building one of the strongest contentious IP offerings in the market. Together, they enhance our ability to advise on strategically important, high‑value and reputationally critical IP disputes in the UK and internationally. We’re absolutely delighted to welcome them to Eversheds Sutherland.”

David Wilkinson, Partner and UK Head of Intellectual Property, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“Ruth is one of the most respected IP litigators in the UK and brings proven leadership experience at the highest level. Huw is an exceptional partner with deep expertise in brand protection and enforcement. Together, they significantly expand our bench strength, locally and globally and further enhance our ability to support clients on their most complex and high‑risk IP disputes.”

Mark Davenport, Global Co-Head of Litigation, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“Ruth has an exceptional repertoire of expertise and proven experience in advising on some of the most complex, fast‑moving and high‑risk IP disputes in the market. Ruth and Huw are very welcome additions to our wider litigation capability, particularly as IP disputes continue to become increasingly commercial and reputationally critical for clients.”