Mewburn Ellis Partner and Head of Litigation, Camilla, explains her ambitions to grow and enhance our litigation practice, and why Mewburn Ellis was the obvious choice for her.
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When Camilla Balleny joined Mewburn Ellis as Head of Patent Litigation, her ambition was clear: to build a specialist litigation practice that could meet the complex needs of clients across Europe. Six months later, that vision is not only taking shape - it’s accelerating.
Camilla, who brings more than two decades of litigation experience in life sciences and healthcare, has overseen significant growth in the team. Since her arrival, Amy Crouch and Aled Richards-Jones have joined as partners, adding further depth to the firm’s litigation capability, while Liam Batty, who started as a trainee, has now qualified as a solicitor, strengthening the team’s bench of talent.
"We’ve made real progress," says Camilla. "The team is thriving, and we’ve integrated seamlessly with the wider business and the pre-existing legal team. Our focus remains on delivering strategic, high-quality advice for clients in sectors where technical complexity and commercial stakes are high."
From Vision to Reality
Camilla’s arrival marked a turning point for Mewburn Ellis. Her reputation precedes her: a genetics degree from Newcastle University, qualification as a solicitor in 2002, and a postgraduate diploma in law from Bristol University. Over the years, she has worked on strategically important projects spanning multiple European jurisdictions, building a reputation for astute legal and commercial advice, particularly in pre-litigation strategic planning and enforcement.
Her track record includes improving technical processes, expanding teams, and winning new clients. She’s vocal about her ambition to grow the department and work in partnership with other teams to take Mewburn Ellis to the next level.
So why Mewburn Ellis? "A few reasons!" says Camilla. "I was ready for a fresh challenge. When I first spoke to Mewburn, it was clear my interest in life sciences and healthcare would resonate with their clients. The match was obvious. But what really struck me was the culture, the emphasis on experts rather than generalists, and the entrepreneurial environment. It was an easy decision."
The Expert Model
Camilla praises the firm’s strategy of employing attorneys with deep industry focus; A distinct approach that sets Mewburn Ellis apart from firms that rely on generalists. "There is phenomenal expertise internally," she notes. "We’ve got people like Camille Terfve, a real expert in bioinformatics. Andrew Williams is our in-house SPC specialist, leading our pharma team. Andrew Fearnside focuses on quantum computing.
These specialists demonstrate Mewburn’s commitment to depth of knowledge." This model allows Mewburn Ellis to act as a true partner for clients over the long term, anticipating industry trends and advising with insight. "Battery technology is a great example," Camilla says. "Our partners draw on deep knowledge of emerging technologies to guide clients on what’s coming."
It was also great to be able to join the pre-existing legal team, as led by Sean Jauss. Sean has been at the firm for over 10 years and has an established transactions practice and is also heavily involved in many of the firm’s litigation and UPC matters and his support in helping me integrate and build the practice further has been invaluable.
Growth and Integration
Camilla’s remit was clear: grow the litigation practice thoughtfully and client-centrically. That growth is now visible with the addition of Amy Crouch and Aled Richards-Jones as partners and Liam Batty who has recently qualification as a solicitor. These hires reflect the firm’s commitment to investing in specialist talent.
The motivation to expand is client-led. The complexity of work undertaken by Mewburn Ellis means few firms can match its capabilities, especially those combining patent attorneys and solicitors under one roof. "In fields like bioinformatics, where AI and data science intersect with biology, smaller firms struggle with technical weight," Camilla explains. "Clients know with Mewburn Ellis their cases will be handled efficiently and at the right level."
UPC: A New Frontier
The Unitary Patent Court (UPC) is reshaping European IP litigation, and Mewburn Ellis is already involved in multiple UPC actions. "UPC litigation is a major part of our work now," says Camilla. "Life sciences companies have embraced the system far more than expected. Our ability to combine technical expertise with litigation strategy gives clients confidence." The team’s UPC involvement complements its pan-European litigation work, which includes patent infringement, revocation, and regulatory expertise. "These cases require careful, thoughtful handling," Camilla adds. "And we’re ready."
Industry Engagement
The team has also been highly visible on the international stage, attending major conferences such as the KISACO Conference in Amsterdam and the CHIPS European Summit in Copenhagen (with Amy Crouch being the co-chair of the European chapter) as well as multiple trips already to Europe and the US to meet with clients. These events and trips reinforce Mewburn Ellis’s commitment to staying ahead of industry developments and building relationships that benefit clients.
Technology and AI
Artificial intelligence is another area Camilla is watching closely. "AI raises big questions," she says. "The firm has embraced AI both as a subject matter but also tool for doing business. I believe this also sets us apart from other firms."
Day-to-Day and Beyond
Camilla’s cases are predominantly life sciences, including small and large molecule, antibody cases for regulated products. Her experience includes SPC cases and time in-house at a biotech company, which gave her insight into regulatory frameworks. She has worked for major players in the market, gaining perspective on managing patent lifecycles and end-of-life strategies. "I enjoy being a troubleshooter," she says. "Clients can consult us without instructing another big firm, saving time and cost and also retaining the patent attorney team that they know so well. We offer flexibility and deep knowledge."
Outside work, Camilla values balance: "I live in North London with my husband and two children. Supporting my children’s sporting pursuits keeps me busy when I am not at work."
Work-life balance was a key factor in choosing Mewburn Ellis: "Firms need to balance ambition with life outside work. Mewburn understands that."
Looking Ahead
Camilla believes Mewburn Ellis can expand its client base, build outstanding specialist teams, and contribute to IP theory, without sacrificing culture. "The energy here is unique. As we grow, we must keep developing that aspect." With UPC litigation, AI challenges, and a growing team of experts, Mewburn Ellis is poised for the future.
"We’re ambitious, but thoughtful. The combination of litigation expertise, technical depth, and collaborative culture is powerful."
Written by Charles Orton-Jones.
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