My work as a Partner here is very varied as, whilst I work predominantly on patents, I also handle design protection.
I have a background in mechanical engineering with particular patent experience in medical devices, energy generation and storage, security documents, road sweepers, marine vessels and construction and mining equipment.
I particularly enjoy working on sizeable, high value projects in which I use a combination of my skills in patent law and design protection, such as previous work on the launches of a new medical device and a new household drinks machine. Such projects require detailed involvement in the overall IP strategy, as well as on more focused issues in design and patent infringement analysis and in the drafting and filing new patent and design applications.
I have also taken great pleasure in watching and supporting several of my, initially small, clients grow from one or two person businesses, through multiple funding rounds and into large employers with successful products. I have seen patents I obtained for clients be used in successful funding rounds, sold or licensed out to other companies and, perhaps with a little relief (!), survive opposition at the EPO (European Patent Office).
I also oversee the teams at our firm handling plant breeders’ rights, filings outside of Europe and UK patent and design recordals. Previously, in the internal role of Head of Practice Committee, I was heavily involved in our firm’s response to issues arising from, for example, Brexit, the UPC (Unified Patent Court) and the move to videoconference oral proceedings at the EPO.