Crowell’s London Growth Continues

In a significant move in the competitive European IP space, Crowell & Moring has added heavyweight patent attorney Justin Hill and his full 18-person team to its London office. Hill, formerly the head of Dentons’ European patent prosecution and opposition practice, joins Crowell as head of IP (UK), bringing with him a deep bench of talent including new Crowell partner Marie Jansson Heeks.

The departing Dentons group includes six patent attorneys, four paralegals, and six professional staff, marking one of the more substantial lateral IP team moves in recent years. Known for its contentious and transactional capabilities, the team appears regularly before the European Patent Office, the Unified Patent Court, and national courts, while also advising on IP strategy for investors and scaling tech companies.

Hill is widely regarded as one of the top patent attorneys in Europe. With over two decades of experience, he’s advised leading tech players and venture funds on IP policy, commercialisation, portfolio development and investor-readiness. His use of AI tools for due diligence and patent mapping signals a forward-thinking approach in a traditionally conservative space.

Prior to his tenure at Dentons, Hill co-led the patents group at Olswang (now CMS) and held senior IP roles at McDermott Will & Emery.

Jansson Heeks, who has joined as a partner, focuses on strategic patent portfolio management and litigation across a wide range of technical disciplines. She has deep experience in oppositions, appeals, and prosecution matters across Europe.

Crowell’s London managing partner Robert Weekes said the new team “enhances our tech offering to both existing and potential clients” and aligns with the firm’s broader focus on innovation and technology. Mark Supko, co-chair of Crowell’s IP group, noted the value the team adds “not just in contentious work but in extending our noncontentious and Unified Patent Court capabilities.”

Hill said the move was about aligning with a platform that could deliver holistic IP support across borders and sectors: “We’ve worked closely with innovators navigating critical IP decisions, and we believe Crowell offers the best foundation to continue that work with scale and agility.”

The move confirms Crowell’s ongoing expansion drive in London. Over the past year, the firm has added several high-profile partners including tech and telecoms specialist Emma Wright (ex-Harbottle & Lewis) and brand protection expert Rafi Azim-Khan (ex-Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman).

Last month, Crowell also absorbed Boston-based life sciences boutique Faber Daeufer & Itrato, integrating 24 lawyers and launching ‘Crowell Life Sciences’—a move that bolstered its capabilities in venture finance, healthcare regulation, and IP litigation across life sciences.

While Dentons has wished the departing team well, it noted that its broader UK IP practice remains in growth mode, having recently promoted Jen Cass and Anna Brown to partner level.