Calum Smyth joins Wiggin as partner

July 27, 2020

LONDON – Leading intellectual property lawyer Calum Smyth has joined media, technology and IP law firm Wiggin LLP as an IP litigation partner, as the firm underscores its commitment to technology and intellectual property.

Smyth joins from Barclays Bank plc and brings a wealth of experience in handling technology-related IP issues, whether in the context of patent litigation, software licensing disputes or cyber-security matters. 

Sara Ashby, Head of IP at Wiggin commented: “Calum’s hire complements Wiggin’s IP offering and provides a deep level of tech expertise, particularly in relation to patent and software disputes.  We know from our clients how critical it is to support their expanding technology strategies – and Calum’s experience will be invaluable, not only from a subject matter standpoint, but as a commercially-savvy practitioner who has been at the coal face in a corporate environment.”

While at Barclays he led the Global Intellectual Property team, and advised senior management on all aspects of IP, at a time when digital transformation was central to the bank’s growth strategy.  Smyth also has significant expertise working with start-ups and tech companies on a variety of strategic IP matters and new technologies, and has been deeply involved with Barclays’ start-up programme RISE and its Eagle Labs platforms.  Prior to moving in-house, Smyth’s practice focused on IP litigation and patent disputes in the electronics and telecoms sector for clients including Intel and Nokia and in 2007 he moved to Kraft Foods where he led the patent function in Europe.  

Calum Smyth, IP Litigation Partner said: “It is rare to find a firm that has Wiggin’s depth of legal expertise alongside a flexible and pragmatic approach to helping its clients – and I think that is a function of its entrepreneurialism, its sector focus and its commitment to a digital strategy.  The firm has broad experience of helping clients at different stages of development and at different parts of the supply chain – and as a result its lawyers fully understand both their clients’ creative assets at a granular level and, critically, the eco-systems in which they operate. Wiggin’s IP department has a top-tier reputation so I am naturally thrilled to be joining such a stellar team.  For my part, I want to bring my own deep legal and subject matter experience to bear, to generate value for a broad cross-section of technology clients – and there is no doubt that Wiggin is the perfect place to do just that.” Smyth is a well-regarded practitioner.  He currently sits on the UK Council of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) and is consistently recognised in the prestigious IAM Strategy 300, a list of the world’s leading IP strategists.