Aoife is an experienced commercial litigator with a particular focus on intellectual property. She advises a wide range of indigenous and multinational clients on all aspects of intellectual property issues, patents, trademarks, copyright and design-related intellectual property matters. She is particularly experienced in complex multi-jurisdictional patent disputes and has acted in many of the patent cases that have come before the Irish Courts in recent years. She has also acted in all of the preliminary injunction applications in patent related matters before the Commercial Court list since 2018.

She is experienced in life science matters particularly biosimilars, medical devices and well as patents in other sectors. Aoife is involved in claims of infringement and revocation of patents and SPCs which protect pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology and electronic point-of-sale systems.

Aoife acts for manufacturers and brand owners in trade mark, passing off and unfair competition litigation. She also represents clients in copyright, licensing and ownership disputes.

Aoife sits on the Intellectual Property Law Committee of the Law Society of Ireland.

Aoife is co-author of The Legal 500 Country Comparative Guides – Ireland: Patent Litigation 2020 – 2022.  Legal500 chapter Ireland-patent litigation

She was also a co-author of the 2012-2018 ICLG International Comparative Legal Guides to Patents.

She is co-author of “Technology & IP Law” (Tottell Publishing/Law Society of Ireland.)

Recent awards and recommendations include:

• Ranked in MIP The Top 250 Women in IP 2021  (2019-2021) as one of the Top 250 women in IP globally.
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2021, where she ranked as a ‘Leading Individual’ and is named in the Legal 500 “Hall of Fame”, Whitney Moore’s IP practice is ranked Tier 1.
• Ranked by IAM – Patent 1000 2021. Ranked as a leading individual. The firm is ranked in Tier 1 (gold status).
• Ranked by Chambers Europe (many years including 2020, 2021).
• Ranked in IP Stars 2021.
• Managing IP Intellectual Property Awards   – Whitney Moore named as Patent Contentions Firm of the Year ‒ Ireland ‒ 2019 and 2020 and Ireland Impact case of the Year Ireland 2020 for Merck Sharpe & Dohme v Clonmel Healthcare. Also shortlisted for Patent Contentious firm of the year 2021.
• IAM Global IP Awards – Whitney Moore named Patent Firm of the Year – Ireland – 2020.
• Named WIPR Leader 2020 and 2021.
• Recommended as an Expert by Who’s Who Legal – Lifesciences and Patents.

Aoife is consistently recommended by international legal journals such as The Legal 500 EMEA, Chambers Europe and IAM Patent 1000 and has been since 2010.  Quotes include:

Aoife wins praise for her ‘”deep understanding of the law” which is complemented by her “knowledge about the courts’ inner workings”. 
The Legal 500 EMEA 2019

Aoife is recommended and described by clients as “very responsive, hard-working and creative.”
Chambers Europe 2019

‘Aoife is described by clients as a “superb communicator”.’
The Legal 500 EMEA 2018

‘Aoife’s counsel is frequently sought by clients in the life sciences sector in relation to patent, copyright and trade mark infringements. Interviewees describe her as a “leading litigator” with a strong reputation in the market.’
Chambers Europe 2018

‘Aoife is recommended as a “Leading Individual” in the area of IP and noted for her recent advice to Teva in patent revocation proceedings against Amgen.’
The Legal 500 EMEA 2017

‘Aoife is recommended as one of the World’s Leading Patent Professionals and described as  “top-tier” and a “fantastic professional” with abundant courtroom experience’.
IAM Patent 1000 2017

‘Moving up the rankings, Aoife is recommended for her specialist IP advice to pharmaceutical and medical companies on a variety of contentious patent, trade mark and copyright matters. Recent work has involved infringement and revocation proceedings, as well as alleged breach of confidence. Sources appreciate that she is “very responsive, has good commercial awareness and is very approachable”.’
Chambers Europe 2017

‘Whitney Moore has taken centre stage in some of Europe’s biggest pharmaceutical spats of late. Aoife Murphy ascends to gold-tier status on the back of excellent reviews. Clients describe her as “great technically and has experience in important cases. She is incredibly thorough and level headed”.’
IAM Patent 1000 2016

‘The “highly competent” Whitney Moore specialises in patent litigation, where it represents multinational pharmaceuticals companies. On the trade mark side, it recently represented Garmin in a High Court dispute. Aoife Murphy heads the team.’
The Legal 500 EMEA 2016

‘Aoife Murphy is recommended and is noted for her excellent reputation for representing clients in the pharmaceutical sector in contentious IP cases.’
Chambers Europe 2015

‘Murphy is a “canny operator. She gets her fair share of instructions from the big pharmaceutical companies – she has a very interesting practice and is a top practitioner in the field. She’s better informed than many and has a clearer idea of what’s going on in the patent scene, coupled with an understanding of litigation as a practical matter”.’
IAM Patent 1000 2015

‘Head of Whitney Moore’s IP group Aoife Murphy is described as “simply superb”.’
The Legal 500 EMEA 2015