Cooley has bolstered its life sciences offering in London with the hire of a partner from Gowling WLG. 

Jenny Davies is the latest partner to join the firm’s life sciences partnering and licensing practice in London. Davies, who spent 16 years at her former firm, focuses on complex, cross-border and high-value licensing and collaboration deals across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. 

“Jenny is one of the most distinguished life sciences partnering and licensing lawyers of her generation,” said John Wilkinson, life sciences partner at Cooley in London. “She has advised on some of the most strategic deals for European companies developing and commercialising cutting-edge vaccines and medicines. Jenny’s experience is complementary to Cooley’s global life sciences practice, and we know she will be a key contributor to our platform’s next stage of growth.”

Davies’ hire comes as Cooley restocks it London bench following the defection of a three-partner transactions team to Akin in July that included former London office head Justin Stock. 

Since then the firm has recruited a trio of partners for its emerging companies and venture capital practice in the City, with Angus Miln joining from Taylor Wessing, Ali Ramadan from Goodwin Procter and Helen Pantelides from White & Case. Following Davies’ arrival Cooley’s London office will house 33 partners, according to its website. 

Patrick Duxbury, Gowling’s UK head of life sciences, commented: “We can confirm Jenny Davies is leaving the firm. We wish her all the best for the future.”