Appleyard Lees
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Our patent attorneys
& patent services

All our patent attorneys have high level technical skills, knowledge and experience, within their own scientific or engineering disciplines.

 Together, our attorneys cover all areas of technology and form one large resource of expert technical and legal capability. We can advise our clients comprehensively and efficiently in all technical areas – whether engineering, electronics, IT, biotech, life sciences or chemistry. Increasingly, inventions are multi-disciplinary and our attorneys are efficient in working together in small teams, in order to handle such inventions optimally.

However, our clients need much more than technical and legal expertise from us. Our attorneys have the commercial skills necessary to understand our clients’ businesses; and strong communication skills – the ability to listen, analyse, explain and persuade.

Our attorneys are experts in securing protection for our clients, but also work with our clients in many other ways, where patent attorney skills are paramount.

Identification and protection

  • Identifying your requirements and providing the right team of attorneys
  • Working with you to identify your patentable inventions effectively
  • Preparing high quality applications – a cornerstone activity
  • Prosecuting and maintaining patent rights throughout their lifecycle
  • Creating and implementing national/global filing strategies

Competitor and strategic issues

  • Conducting infringement clearance studies to safeguard your new product launches
  • Advising on the validity of competitor patents
  • Carrying out competitor studies and landscape reviews
  • Transacting patents by negotiating sales and purchases, and licences in and out
  • Developing strategies which maximise your financial benefit

Disputes, oppositions and appeals

  • Conducting opposition or limitation proceedings at the European Patent Office
  • Obtaining Opinions at the UK Intellectual Property Office
  • Defending our clients’ patents, challenging invalid competitor patents
  • Managing disputes, including oppositions and appeals, and IP litigation in general
  • Negotiating settlement agreements when this is the best course for our clients

Our sectors

Electrical, electronics, computing

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Mechanics, engineering, physics

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Life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals

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Chemistry, materials

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Other services

Trade marks

Protecting brand assets with trade marks allows businesses of all sizes to invest in their brand with confidence, build brand equity and leverage that equity for growth.

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Designs

We have an outstanding team of design specialists. Our team includes attorneys, solicitors and paralegals so that we can deal effectively with any situation that may arise.

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Copyright

We have an outstanding team of copyright experts. Our team includes registered design attorneys, solicitors and paralegals so that we can deal effectively with any situation that may arise.

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IP strategy

IP strategy is the body of planned measures a business adopts, in order to use intellectual property to secure business advantage over its competitors.

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IP disputes

Our attorneys and IP solicitors are specialists in all aspects of IP disputes and IP dispute resolution.

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Support for in-house IP teams

Aside from our core areas of expertise, we are able to offer various support services which supplement or expand on these core areas. To offer this support, we can call upon the services of any of our highly skilled experts, whether they are patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys, solicitors or paralegals.

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Get in touch

Appleyard Lees is dedicated to providing comprehensive intellectual property services in the UK and internationally. To discuss your IP challenges with a relevant professional, please submit the following brief details:

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Chambers 2022 Financial Times IP Stars JUVE Patent IAM 1000 The Legal 500 WIPR WTR 100
Chambers 2022 Financial Times IP Stars JUVE Patent IAM 1000 The Legal 500 WIPR WTR 100

Simon Bradbury

Partner

BSc(Hons) MSc CBiol MRSB CPA EPA MITMA

Simon’s practice encompasses a wide range of technologies within life sciences and biotechnology, with clients ranging from large multi-nationals to universities and small spin-out companies. Simon is particularly involved in formulat…

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Barbara Fleck

Partner

BSc(Hons), PhD, CPA, EPA

Barbara is recognised as a key individual in the Legal 500 UK patent attorney rankings, and is recommended by JUVE Patents. Barbara’s experience both in private practice and in-house enables her to provide commercially relevant and cle…

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Richard Bray

Partner

MPhys(Hons) CPA EPA

Richard supports a wide range of clients operating in the UK, and also those headquartered internationally in the USA, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Japan and Korea. Richard’s clients range from universities, to start-ups and…

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Julia Gwilt

Partner

MA (Hons), Mathematics; Masters, Computer Science, CPA, EPA

Julia has worked in the patent profession in the Cambridge area for over twenty years and in January 2017 she opened our Cambridge office. She oversees the patent portfolios for a wide variety of direct clients. Julia’s mathematics backgr…

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Kate Hickinson

Partner

BSc(Hons) PhD CPA EPA

Kate joined the patent profession in 1999 after completing a BSc(Hons) in chemistry and a PhD in the areas of phosphine chemistry and homogeneous catalysis at the University of Bristol. Kate handles all types of chemical subject matter and …

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Jennifer Delaney

Partner

MA(Cantab) MSci PhD MRSC CPA EPA

With a detailed knowledge of organic chemistry and chemical science, Jennifer works with a range of clients, including multinational corporates, SMEs and universities. She has extensive expertise in obtaining protection for difficult invent…

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Dick Waddington

Partner

BSc MPhil CPA EPA MITMA FRSA

Dick has a particular interest in imaging and printer technology, including both mechanical aspects and device security. His expertise ranges from prosecution, including examination oral proceedings and appeals at the European Patent Office…

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David Walsh

Partner

BSc PhD CChem CSci MRSC CPA EPA MITMA

David is a UK and European Patent Attorney specialising in the fields of polymers, pharmaceuticals, catalysis, process technology, sealing technology and industrial biotechnology. David has a PhD in surface chemistry from UCL. He advises mu…

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David Clark

Managing Partner

MEng, CPA, EPA

After a twenty-year journey from patent and trade mark trainee to Managing Partner, since 2021 David has had the combined responsibility of leading the firm and running the team that supports Appleyard Lees’ largest client. David complete…

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Adam Tindall

Partner

BEng(Hons), PhD, CPA, EPA

Adam helps clients to obtain, use and/or navigate-around Intellectual Property Rights relating to technology and design. After many years working in-house as an engineer and then as a patent attorney, he has extensive experience of understa…

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Paul Brandon

Partner

BSc CPA EPA MCITMA

Paul has a first class degree in physics from the University of Nottingham providing a background relevant to many technological sectors. As a dual-qualified patent and trade mark attorney, Paul finds innovative ways of helping clients, pro…

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Bobby Smithson

Partner

MChem, CPA, EPA, MRSC

“Bobby not only demonstrated a deep understanding of the legal and procedural aspects, but also an uncanny grasp of the technology and flaws presented in the patent being opposed.  Bobby provided us with indispensable guidance at every j…

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David Moy

Partner

BA, DPhil, CPA, EPA, MCITMA

As a dual-qualified patent and trade mark attorney, David specialises in chemistry and pharmaceuticals, acting before the UK Intellectual Patent Office (UK IPO), the European Patent Office (EPO), and the World Intellectual Property Organisa…

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Howard Read

Partner

MA MSc LLM PhD CPA EPA

As well as his BA (Hons) and MA in Natural Sciences, Howard has a PhD in metallurgy from the University of Cambridge. Having worked in industry and the academic sector before joining the profession, Howard understands the challenges faced i…

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Ean Davies

Partner

BSc(Hons) MEng MIET CPA EPA

Before entering the patent profession, Ean spent several years working as a design engineer for Marconi and Motorola. This real-life commercial experience was invaluable and gives Ean an insight into some of the challenges faced by clients.…

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Graham Johnson

Partner

BSc CPA EPA CTMA

As a dual-qualified patent and trade mark attorney, Graham has particular expertise in providing strategic advice to SMEs building a range of intellectual property (IP) rights around their brands and products. He works across a variety of a…

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Parminder Lally

Partner

MSci, PhD, CPA, EPA

Parminder helps clients to protect their technological innovations. Her in-house experience means she understands the challenges faced by tech companies, and she tailors her approach to meet their specific needs. Parminder specialises in d…

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Chris Mason

Partner

MSci(Hons), LLM, MRSC, CPA, EPA

As a Chartered UK and European Patent Attorney, Chris works with his clients to develop pragmatic IP strategies that further their commercial interests.  Day-to-day Chris handles cases in fields including industrial chemistry and life scie…

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Paul Beynon

Senior Associate

MEng, CPA, EPA

Paul is recognised as a ‘key lawyer’ by Legal 500, and a ‘WIPR Leader’ by World Intellectual Property Review. Paul’s strong engineering background and in-house experience makes him well-positioned to offer clients commercially sen…

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Edward Rainsford

Senior Associate

BSc(Hon), MSc, PhD, CPA, EPA, MRSB

Edward has experience assisting a wide variety of biotechnology and medical device companies to protect their innovations. Edward’s time working in academia helps him understand the needs of universities and spin-outs, when commercialisin…

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Sarah Gibbs

Senior Associate

BSc PhD EPA CPA MRSC

Sarah helps clients protect their inventions in both the chemical and biochemical fields. As a result of working with a wide variety of clients in these sectors, she has experience and understanding of the challenges faced by different comp…

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Freya Hine

Senior Associate

MSci (Hons) PhD CPA EPA

As a chartered UK and European Patent Attorney Freya helps clients to protect their innovations in the chemical field. Her experience from previously working in technology transfer helps her to understand client’s priorities. Freya works …

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Louise Johnson

Senior Associate

MPhys PhD CPA EPA

As a Chartered UK and European Patent Attorney, Louise works with clients to protect their innovation in the UK, Europe and worldwide. Louise works on a broad range of inventions in the fields of physics, engineering, electronics and softwa…

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Rachel Mercer

Senior Associate

MBiochem, DPhil, CPA, EPA

Rachel is a UK and European patent attorney who helps her clients protect their innovations in the biotechnology and life sciences fields. She draws on her research experience when formulating IP strategies with her clients. Rachel speciali…

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Terry Instone

Principal Associate

MA(Cantab) PhD MInstP CPhys CPA EPA

Terry has an MA in Natural Sciences from Cambridge and a PhD in semiconductor physics. Working in private practice since 2007, he was a colloid/polymer/nanotechnology research scientist with Unilever for almost 20 years before joining their…

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Ithel Jones

Principal Associate

BSc MSc CPA EPA

Ithel obtains IP rights that prove to be valuable assets for his clients. He has a track record of successfully obtaining patents for software technology that’s considered complex or marginal in terms of patentability. Ithel works with a …

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James Myatt

Senior Associate

PGDip MChem PhD MRSC EPA CPA

James is a UK and European patent attorney who handles a diverse portfolio of international patent applications for SME clients in the chemistry and materials fields. Before joining Appleyard Lees, James worked in pharmaceuticals research f…

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Paul Roscoe

Senior Associate

MEng, CPA, EPA

Paul has experience working as an engineer and inventor and working as a patent engineer in-house. As a result, he is able to relate to inventors well and can understand commercial considerations. Paul works with large multinational compani…

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Alice Smart

Associate

BSc PhD

Alice has a wide range of technical experience working in large pharmaceutical companies and smaller start-up firms enabling her to work on patent applications from diverse technologies. Working closely with clients has enabled her to tailo…

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Ali Dumigan

Associate

MPhys, PhD, CPA, EPA

Ali’s strong physics background and experience with a broad range of clients enables him to deliver high-quality work in a manner adapted to client requirements.  He enjoys tackling complex patent issues and providing clear advice. Ali h…

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Claire Devine

Associate

BSc, PhD

Claire enjoys working closely with clients to help protect their biotech-related inventions. As a patent attorney Claire has worked with a range of clients in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical areas, on applications related to a broad ra…

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Matthew Bennett

Associate

PhD DIC, MPhys (Hons)

Matthew has a broad ranging technological background covering physics, electrical engineering, and software development. He now puts that knowledge base to use advising clients across a variety of disciplines on the full range of pre and po…

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Amelia Barton

Patent Attorney

MChem, EPA, CPA

Graduating with a first class masters degree in medicinal chemistry from the University of Leeds, her work has included a project focused on manipulating a proteins intracellular localisation using a small chemically synthesised compound. S…

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Jonathan Foster

Patent Attorney

MPhys, BSc, EPA, CPA

With an interdisciplinary background, Jonathan helps his clients to think more broadly about their technologies. Jonathan’s work with many small clients, who often have no previous IP experience, enables him to help clients understand the…

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Tom Gregory

European Patent Attorney

MPhys

Tom’s work is primarily focused on protecting innovation in the mechanical, engineering and electronics sectors. He also has valuable experience in computer-implemented inventions and software. Tom currently assists clients working in the…

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David Jasiewicz

Patent Attorney

MChem, AMRSC

David spent three years as a technical assistant in a Japanese patent law firm prior to joining Appleyard Lees. This experience, alongside a solid grasp of French and German, allows David to assist clients with international aspects of thei…

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Andrew Johnston

European Patent Attorney

MSci, DPhil

Andrew’s experience in research and experience with a wide range of technologies means that he understands and is familiar with common problems faced by clients in different sectors. Andrew has experience of working with clients ranging f…

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Ashley Wragg

Patent Attorney

MChem, PhD, EPA, CPA

As a European patent attorney, Ashley works with a range of clients from across the world and has gained extensive experience in drafting and prosecution of patent applications in a variety of jurisdictions. Ashley has also assisted in a nu…

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Jordan Tinkler

Trainee Patent Attorney

BSc, MPhys, PhD

Jordan’s experience has given him a broad understanding of physics and biophysical systems, and an appreciation of the challenges that interdisciplinary projects can present. Under the guidance of qualified attorneys, Jordan’s work prim…

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Charlie Hilton-Balfe

Trainee Patent Attorney

BSc

Charlie’s broad experience in intellectual property, background in physics and commercial awareness helps ensure their clients receive sensible and effective protection for their inventions. Charlie works with a variety of clients of diff…

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Jack Braithwaite

Trainee Patent Attorney

BSc (Hons), PhD

Jack’s academic and industrial research experience enables him to understand the broad range of clients’ patent protection needs in the biotechnology and life sciences sector. As a trainee, Jack is working towards his UK and European pa…

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Debora Dorn

Trainee Patent Attorney

BSc, MASt

A background in physics, mathematics and machine learning helps Debora understand new innovations and protect client’s intellectual property. Debora has broad insight into various areas of physics and mathematics. She has a particular int…

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Ryan Newcombe

Trainee Patent Attorney

MPhys, PhD

First-hand experience of highly technical, data-intensive research has provided Ryan with an acute understanding of the challenges faced by clients in developing their inventions. With a background in physics and academic research, Ryan has…

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Tegan Wollaston

Trainee Patent Attorney

BEng

Tegan’s academic experience is supported by a year working as a design assurance engineer within the military and aerospace sector. Tegan’s work broadened her ability to understand regulation and procedure as well as processing of liter…

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Hugh Sherrard-Smith

Consultant

BSc(Eng) CPA

Hugh has an extensive patent and trade mark practice, acting for large multinational companies and foreign attorneys, particularly in the Asia Pacific area. Hugh specialises in engineering with a particular interest in medical devices, airc…

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Anthony Brierley

Consultant

BSc(Hons), CPA, EPA, CTMA

Anthony holds a first class honours degree in chemistry from the University of Durham. As a dual-qualified patent and trade mark attorney, he handles the patent portfolios for several multinational chemical companies, as well as an extensiv…

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Oliver Manners

Trainee Patent Attorney

MSci, BA

Oliver is a trainee, working in the Manchester chemistry team. His background working in a broad, interdisciplinary PhD programme helps him to understand the challenges of working at the interfaces between traditional disciplines. Oliver is…

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Emma Lyons

Trainee Patent Attorney

BA, MRes

Emma’s experience in both academic and clinical research enables her to assist clients in achieving patent protection for a broad range of innovations in the biotechnology and life sciences sectors. As a trainee, Emma is working towards h…

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Jack Ashman

Trainee Patent Attorney

BSc, MSc (Radiometrics), MSc (Clinical Science)

Jack’s previous experience as a medical physicist means he recognises the need to develop novel inventions in order to aid progression in a particular field. Because of this, he appreciates the importance of protecting intellectual proper…

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Kealan Fallon

Trainee Patent Attorney

MSci PhD MRSC

With a background spanning chemistry, physics, and engineering, Kealan has a deep appreciation of the challenges and opportunities within interdisciplinary research environments. His broad experience helps him to understand and protect his …

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James Clegg

Trainee Patent Attorney

MChem, AMRSC

James’ experience in academic and industrial research enables him to understand clients’ patent protection needs for a wide range of applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. As a trainee, James is working towards his UK …

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Riddhi Patel

Trainee Patent Attorney

BSc(Hons) Physics

A recent graduate with knowledge and expertise in Physics undertaking a training role. As a newbie to the profession, her priority is to learn from her team. So far, she has been given the opportunity to look through Examiner feedback in n…

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Emily Bevan-Smith

Trainee Patent Attorney

MChem

Emily’s experience both in the intellectual property (IP) profession and academia has afforded her to become commercially aware and understand client’s needs. Emily works with a range of clients in the chemical and medical industry to s…

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Holly Redman

Trainee Patent Attorney

PhD

Holly’s broad experience in academic and industrial research, spanning chemistry and biophysics, helps her to understand and protect her client’s innovations. Holly has a particular interest in renewable energy and sustainable technolog…

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Richard Maclennan

Trainee Patent Attorney

BSc (Hons), PhD

Richard’s experience in patents, but also from working in industry and academia, helps him to understand his clients’ priorities. As part of Horizon 2020, the biggest-ever EU research and innovation programme, Richard gained insight int…

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Oliver Herd

Trainee Patent Attorney

BSc, PhD

Oliver’s experience in intellectual property and his scientific background in academia and industry enables him to understand the priorities of his clients. Oliver has a broad insight into the biotechnology area with specialist knowledge …

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Monifa Phillips

Trainee Patent Attorney

MPhys, PhD, PGCert

Monifa’s experience in academic research and in patents has given her a good understanding of the priorities held by clients from different backgrounds. Monifa’s work involves drafting and prosecuting patent applications within the fiel…

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Robert Cumming

Partner

LLB MCITMA, Solicitor (England & Wales)

Robert is a dual-qualified trade mark attorney and solicitor and manages large international portfolios and complex multi-jurisdictional disputes for market-leading businesses. Robert’s expertise lies in the strategic positioning of a bra…

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Paul Brandon

Partner

BSc CPA EPA MCITMA

Paul has a first class degree in physics from the University of Nottingham providing a background relevant to many technological sectors. As a dual-qualified patent and trade mark attorney, Paul finds innovative ways of helping clients, pro…

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David Moy

Partner

BA, DPhil, CPA, EPA, MCITMA

As a dual-qualified patent and trade mark attorney, David specialises in chemistry and pharmaceuticals, acting before the UK Intellectual Patent Office (UK IPO), the European Patent Office (EPO), and the World Intellectual Property Organisa…

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Bill Lister

Consultant

MA(Oxon), MCITMA, CMC Registered Mediator

Bill’s clients commend his ‘impeccable service’ and his ability to ‘work tirelessly on our behalf’.  – TheWorks.co.uk Bill has a wide range of experience advising UK, US, European and global clients, with a substantial repu…

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Chris Hoole

Partner

LLB (Europe), MCITMA, Solicitor (England & Wales), Solicitor (Irish Roll)

Chris is a dual-qualified solicitor and chartered trade mark attorney, experienced in contentious and non-contentious intellectual property (IP) matters, including trade marks, designs, copyright and patents. Working closely with a range o…

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Graham Johnson

Partner

BSc CPA EPA CTMA

As a dual-qualified patent and trade mark attorney, Graham has particular expertise in providing strategic advice to SMEs building a range of intellectual property (IP) rights around their brands and products. He works across a variety of a…

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Rachel Garrod

Senior Associate

LLB (Hons) MCITMA

Rachel helps clients to protect their trade mark rights with strategies tailored to suit each client’s individual needs. Rachel specialises in trade mark prosecution and has assisted a number of high-profile clients within the food and dr…

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Beverley Robinson

Senior Associate

LLB (Hons) MCITMA

Beverley helps clients protect and manage their trade marks and designs, from initial concept and launch to policing and enforcement. Beverley works with a broad range of clients from start-ups and SME’s to multinational corporations, acr…

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Daniel Bailey

Senior Associate

LLB, MCITMA, Solicitor (England & Wales)

Dan is a dual-qualified trade mark attorney and solicitor and is experienced in clearing, registering and enforcing trade marks. His experience working in-house at a major retailer means he understands the need for commercially led advice.…

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Chris Thomas

IP Solicitor, Trade Mark Attorney

BA(Hons), GDL, LPC, PSC

Chris is an IP solicitor. From 2012 onwards he has specialised in commercial dispute resolution before joining Appleyard Lees in April 2019. Resolving disputes in the High Court, Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and before the UK Inte…

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Hannah Burrows

Associate

LLB, MCITMA

Hannah has worked in the IP industry for over seven years. She assists with a variety of trade mark matters – including assisting clients with devising a strategy for their trade mark portfolio, obtaining trade mark protection and trade m…

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Vishal Dattani

Trade Mark Attorney

BA(Hons), GDL, LPC LLM, MCITMA

Vishal is a qualified trade mark attorney, who assists clients with clearing and enforcing their intellectual property (IP) rights by providing tailor-made strategic advice. He works in both contentious and non-contentious IP matters, inclu…

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Sam Turton

Trade Mark Attorney

LLB

Sam helps clients to protect their trade mark rights with strategies tailored to suit each client’s individual needs. Sam joined Appleyard Lees as a trainee trade mark attorney in December 2019, having previously held a trainee position a…

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Claire Bothma

Trainee Trade Mark Attorney

BCom (Law), LLB, Attorney and Trade Mark Practitioner (South Africa)

Claire helps clients to protect and enforce their trade marks. Her experience over 15 years means that she can assist clients from initial conceptualisation. She believes that each client is important, whether they are a start- up or an int…

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Mykhailo Pokrachynskyi

Trainee Trade Mark Attorney

GIS Engineering Specialist Diploma, LLB, LPC and LLM

Mykhailo’s first-rate legal academic achievements, domestic and international entrepreneurial experiences, and languages, make him adept at working with a diverse range of clients and enterprises. In turn helping them to protect and incre…

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Lisa Thomson

Trainee Trade Mark Attorney

LLB LPC LLM

Lisa works with a wide scope of clients, varying from start-ups to SME’s, all the way through to large household names in a number of different sectors. As a trainee trade mark attorney, Lisa works alongside senior colleagues and assists …

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Ji-Young Song

Trainee Trade Mark Attorney

BA, MSc, MPhil, PhD

Ji-Young is a Trainee Trade Mark Attorney in our Manchester office. Ji-Young works alongside the associates and partners, and assists with all aspects of trademark practice ranging from registrations and oppositions to portfolio management,…

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Anthony Brierley

Consultant

BSc(Hons), CPA, EPA, CTMA

Anthony holds a first class honours degree in chemistry from the University of Durham. As a dual-qualified patent and trade mark attorney, he handles the patent portfolios for several multinational chemical companies, as well as an extensiv…

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