Glasgow-based global intellectual property law firm Murgitroyd Group has continued its international expansion with the acquisition of Hanna Moore + Curley (HMC), one of Ireland’s leading European patent and trade mark attorney firms.
Murgitroyd was taken private by London-based Sovereign Capital Partners LLP in a £65 million deal in December 2019.
Dublin-headquartered HMC, which specialises in obtaining intellectual property protection for a wide range of sectors including life sciences, electronic and technology-led companies, also has a presence in China, which expands Murgitroyd’s global reach in the Far East.
The acquisition adds specialist attorney technical expertise and further develops Murgitroyd’s pan-European presence, complementing services offered through its existing offices in the UK, Germany, Italy, Ireland, France, Switzerland, and Finland.
Murgitroyd CEO Gordon Stark said: “The addition of Hanna Moore + Curley advances Murgitroyd’s strategic ambition to grow the business in Europe, broaden support for our North American corporate clients and add a new dimension to our business development in Asia.
“HMC is a highly regarded and progressive IP business and the integration of our Dublin offices will enhance client services and future business development.
“To meet emerging intellectual property demands and anticipate the challenges facing local, national and international clients, many of whom are at the leading edge in their fields, we are increasing the scale and depth of our technical knowledge and expertise and expanding our global footprint.
“Businesses which utilise intellectual property as a strategic business asset benefit from proactive, informed and innovative advice to produce IP assets of enduring corporate value.
“This demands that we invest in high calibre talent, providing sector-leading technical knowledge whilst developing closer, strategic relationships with clients.
“HMC will strengthen our reach within Europe, our presence in the Far East – a region which continues to be of increasing interest to our clients, and brings on board a very talented team that will add specialist knowledge in the electronics, software and digital sectors.”
Barry Moore of Hanna Moore + Curley said: “We have grown our business steadily and successfully since 2003 and we now believe that joining forces with Murgitroyd will accelerate our growth ambitions.
“We will be able to access more resources and more people, as well as gaining a greater geographical spread.
“We are delighted to be joining Murgitroyd and look forward to offering our clients the broader range and scope of intellectual property services that being part of a larger practice brings.
“Our combined operations in Dublin will also continue to be an increasingly important service base for our clients.”