Mathys & Squire LLP has promoted Hazel Ford and Posy Drywood to the partnership. The firm now has 27 partners and 10 offices across the UK and Europe.Hazel Ford has nearly 20 years’ experience in the patent profession and joined Mathys & Squire from the London office of a leading US IP law firm. She advises clients on all aspects of patent strategy, and handles patent prosecution, EPO opposition and appeal proceedings. She specialises in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals including antibodies, vaccines, genes and proteins, drug formulations and diagnostics. Hazel has a PhD from the University of Cambridge and is qualified as a Chartered and European Patent Attorney and a Patent Attorney Litigator.Posy joined the chemistry group at Mathys & Squire in 2009. She drafts and prosecutes patent applications for her clients, as well as managing global portfolios on their behalf. Posy is experienced in opposition and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office, and has coordinated the filing and prosecution of Supplementary Protection Certificates across Europe. As part of the chemistry group, Posy is particularly familiar with inventions in the fields of pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, batteries and green technology. Her clients range from large multi-national companies to SMEs and universities. Posy has a master’s degree in natural sciences, specialising in chemistry, from the University of Cambridge.Commenting on the firm’s new promotions, partner Chris Hamer said: “We are delighted that Posy and Hazel are joining the partnership to augment our high-level skills in their specialist chemistry and biology sectors and to service our clients across these global industries. It has been a very successful year for Mathys & Squire and these promotions highlight the firm’s continued growth and strength in the marketplace, as well as our dedication to nurturing and progressing talented individuals in the business. We wish them the best of luck in their careers as partners in Mathys & Squire!”