Support for in-house IP teams

We can assemble the appropriate team of experts to handle various issues which are encountered by our clients and we are always happy to assist in whatever way we can.

There are times when our work in patents, trade marks, designs or copyright draws on the expertise of our legal team to help secure the best outcome for our clients, for example, when a dispute appears likely, or a settlement or IP agreement has to be negotiated and drafted.

When a dispute cannot be avoided, our legal team has the experience to conduct proceedings before the relevant body – which could be an English or foreign court, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) or the European Patent Office (EPO).

Our legal team is active in IP transactions, legal opinions, and the development of IP strategies for our clients.

The resources of our legal team are also available to boost the internal legal operations of our larger clients.

Support in litigation

Providing legal opinions to assess the prospects of success from litigation
Proving or obtaining second opinions to test the merits of an intended course of action
Working with colleagues so that the range of skills needed to maximise the prospects is deployed
Drafting witness statements and settlement agreements

Support in transactions

Handling merger and acquisition (M & A) work, including negotiating and agreement drafting
Providing valuations of IP portfolios
Negotiating and drafting licence agreements
Drafting IP prospectuses to support share offerings

Support for legal departments

Conducting locum work
Proving second opinions on important IP legal matters
Proving patent drafting and opposition handling services for legal departments
Providing IP legal training for legal departments at all levels from paralegal to legal director

Renewals

We are able to manage renewals of all your patent, trade mark and design rights during the application and grant phases, across all countries. Our dedicated team of highly trained and qualified renewals specialists will work with you to ensure that you are always aware of upcoming costs and deadlines and ensure that your instructions are complied with in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Recordals

We are able to manage individual recordals or bulk programmes in all countries in the event of a transfer or assignment of rights. This may arise due to the sale of individual rights or as the result of sale, acquisition or merger of a relevant business.

Support for in-house departments

We have many attorneys with in-house experience, who have first-hand knowledge of the unique challenges presented by this role. This knowledge has been shared throughout our network and so we can advise you on many of the issues faced by in-house teams, including the usual professional practice areas, as well as invention harvesting, departmental budget issues and records management.

Locum attorneys/paralegals

We can provide locum attorneys or paralegals to cover maternity, sickness or recruitment shortages or to provide technical expertise in a particular area.

Training

We regularly provide training to our clients, universities and professional and business organisations, such as the Institute of Directors. If you are in need of general IP awareness training or a more focused session on a specific topic, please let us know. Many of our internal training sessions can be made available to clients via video conference.

Remote file access

We can provide remote access to your files via our dedicated file management and docketing system, enabling you to review the status of your portfolio, monitor costs and run customised reports. Please let us know if this service is of interest to you.

Our IP Support team

Barbara Fleck

Partner

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Richard Bray

Partner

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Kate Hickinson

Partner

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Robert Cumming

Partner

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David Walsh

Partner

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David Clark

Managing Partner

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Adam Tindall

Partner

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Paul Brandon

Partner

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Lee-Ann Galway

Head of Data & Systems

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Nicola Hart

Head of IP Business Services

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Karen Leung

Head of Renewals

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Our services

Patents

All our patent attorneys have high level technical skills, knowledge and experience. Together they cover all areas of technology and form one large resource of expert technical and legal capability.

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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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