Powell Gilbert, the new intellectual property (IP) boutique set up by a group of ex-Bristows partners, opens its doors for business for the first time today (6 March).

The new firm, which has premises in the former Patent Office on Chancery Lane, has been set up by five former partners from the London firm. Tim Powell, Penny Gilbert, Simon Ayrton, Zoe Butler and Alex Wilson resigned en masse from Bristows at the end of last year.