Life sciences and pharmaceutical lawyer Simone Mitchell has left Clayton Utz to join DLA Piper's litigation and regulatory practice as a special counsel.

Mitchell specialises in litigious and commercial aspects of intellectual property, including patents, copyright, trademarks and designs; pharmaceutical regulation, biotechnology and life sciences.

She has acted for a large number of pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies and research institutions.

"The life sciences and health care sectors are key areas of focus for the firm in the Asia-Pacific region and globally," said co-chairs of DLA Piper's global life sciences sector, Lisa Haile, Bruce Jenett and Bonella Ramsay.