Howrey has closed its intellectual property (IP) practice in London following the departure of London managing partner Mark Hodgson to Field Fisher Waterhouse.

Hodgson’s move follows three partner departures from Howrey’s London IP practice during 2010 – Marjan Noor, Paul Inman and Richard Willoughby, who joined Simmons & Simmons, Wragge & Co and Rouse Legal respectively.