Pillsbury expands tech sector strength in London with arrival of IP partner Steven James

November 12, 2025 – As one of the Technology Industry’s premier global law firms, Pillsbury has added Steven James as a partner in the firm’s growing London office. James joins the firm’s Intellectual Property practice from Morrison Foerster and will focus on helping Pillsbury clients protect, defend, and monetize their IP assets.

“Pillsbury is deeply embedded in the technology sector, and our strong IP practice is an essential part of why industry clients turn to us,” said Firm Chair David Dekker. “Steven adds important depth to our global intellectual property team, reinforces our on-the-ground IP offering in the UK, and presents additional pathways to engage with London’s early-stage community.”

James advises technology-driven clients—particularly emerging companies and venture-backed businesses—on the protection, management, and commercialization of their IP, as well as a broad range of related commercial and contentious matters. He counsels technology innovators on trademark, copyright, design, patent, and confidential information issues, helps clients develop IP, branding, and licensing strategies, and advises on defamation and data protection matters. As a Solicitor-Advocate with rights of audience in all civil proceedings in the higher courts of England and Wales, James has also handled commercial disputes before the UK Intellectual Property Office, the EU Intellectual Property Office, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, the High Court and Court of Appeal, and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

James has been recognized as a standout IP practitioner in The Legal 500 UK, Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars, the World Trademark Review 1000, and IAM Patent 1000, and was also recently named to The Lawyer’s 2025 “Hot 100” list for his active role in support of the startup community. He joins Pillsbury from Morrison Foerster.

“Steven is deeply immersed in the UK Tech sector, bringing not only excellent technical skills and broad sector experience, but also a proven record of collaboration,” said Michael Zeliger, Pillsbury’s Global Head of Intellectual Property. “His arrival serves to expand our global IP capabilities and enhances our market-leading offering to startups and emerging companies. It is great to have him on board.”

Pillsbury’s global Intellectual Property practice provides comprehensive IP advice and protection to clients worldwide. James is the latest addition to the firm’s expanding IP platform, which in the past few months also welcomed partner Mark Abate in New York and J. Rick Taché in San Diego.

James’ arrival is another major step in Pillsbury’s technology and life sciences-focused expansion in London. He joins several prominent recent hires, including Emerging Companies & Venture Capital partner Sarah Melaney; partner Daphne Higgs, who serves as Bay Area and London Chair of Technology Transactions and Artificial Intelligence; Hamid Yunis, a top Corporate and M&A partner active in the healthcare and life sciences space; and Laurence Lieberman, a specialist in cross-border technology and life sciences disputes.

“Steven is a highly regarded IP lawyer with a strong reputation in the UK startup scene,” said Matthew Oresman, managing partner of the London office. His arrival strengthens Pillsbury’s ability to offer Technology-focused clients—whether investors, growth stage companies, or larger, more established enterprises—holistic advice that covers their legal needs from every angle. We are thrilled to have him join our team, and equally excited to be able to extend his impressive experience and industry insight for those we represent.”

“Pillsbury holds a well-deserved place in the heart of the innovation economy,” added James. “The firm is widely recognized for its expertise in the Technology sector, has a flourishing London office, and holds a long-standing track record for excellence in cross-border matters. For me, Pillsbury is a fit in every sense of the word.”

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