Knowledge Hub
Six Sectors. Six Golds. Financial Times: Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2026
June 2026
HGF has once again been recognised with ‘Gold’ rankings across all six sectors in the Financial Times Special Report – Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2026. We are one of only eight firms to achieve this across every category, marking another significant milestone for the firm.
This also represents an extraordinary eighth consecutive year that HGF has been recognised since the guide launched in 2019.
This latest recognition continues an outstanding run for the firm and reflects the strength and consistency of our teams across the business. Achieving Gold status in every category is a significant accomplishment, highlighting the depth of our expertise and the trust placed in us by our clients and peers.
The Financial Times rankings are based on recommendations from thousands of patent attorneys working in private practice and industry, making this recognition particularly meaningful. It is a testament to the quality of our people, the collaborative way we work, and the commercial, strategic advice we provide to clients across Europe and beyond.
HGF has achieved Gold in the following sectors:
- Biotechnology, Food & Healthcare
- Chemistry & Pharmaceuticals
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- IT & Software
- Materials & Nanotechnology
Dr Andrew Wells, Head of the Chemistry team commented, “I’m delighted to see that our excellent reputation in the chemistry field has been recognised yet again. This is an excellent achievement for the HGF Chemistry team and for HGF as a whole. We have one of the largest teams of chemical and pharmaceutical patent attorneys based in Europe and we pride ourselves on providing commercially relevant and strategic IP advice to our clients. We cover the whole chemistry landscape and have seen significant growth in the key areas of pharmaceuticals, formulation science, materials science, agrochemicals, polymer chemistry, process chemistry, fuel cells, and electrochemistry. We also have a significant European oppositions practice that continues to go from strength to strength.”
Dr Chris Benson, Head of the Technology & Engineering team commented, “To be recognised with Gold status for a third consecutive year is a fantastic achievement and one that reflects the quality and commitment of our people. Our Technology & Engineering team works across a diverse range of sectors, supporting clients at the forefront of innovation, and this recognition is a testament to the expertise, insight and client focus they bring every day. I am incredibly grateful to the team for their contribution and proud to see their efforts recognised on a European stage.”
Kate Taylor, Head of the Life Sciences team commented: “Achieving Gold status once again is a wonderful recognition of the exceptional talent and dedication within our Life Sciences team. Our attorneys are passionate about helping innovative businesses navigate complex intellectual property challenges, and this award reflects the trusted relationships we have built with clients across the sector. I would like to thank every member of the team for their continued commitment, expertise and support in delivering outstanding results for our clients.”
Martyn Fish, CEO commented: “Securing Gold status across all categories for the third consecutive year is a significant achievement and one that reflects the exceptional quality of our people and services. What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that it is based on recommendations from clients and industry peers, demonstrating the trust they place in HGF and the value we deliver. I would like to thank all our teams for their dedication, expertise and commitment to helping our clients succeed. Their collective efforts continue to strengthen HGF’s reputation as one of Europe’s leading intellectual property firms.”
Across the firm, our teams have strengthened their capabilities, expanded their reach, and continued to deliver outstanding results for clients across a wide range of sectors. Our multidisciplinary approach enables us to support clients at every stage of the IP lifecycle, combining technical excellence with legal and commercial insight. This collective success underpins our continued recognition at the highest level in the Financial Times rankings.
As a leading European intellectual property firm, we are committed to building strong, long-term relationships and delivering exceptional service across our international office network.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our clients and industry peers for their continued support and recommendations.
To read the full report please click here.