Gill Jennings & Every LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Gill Jennings & Every LLP Offices

Gill Jennings & Every LLP
THE BROADGATE TOWER
20 PRIMROSE STREET
LONDON
EC2A 2ES
England
Visit website 020 7655 8500 020 7655 8501

Gill Jennings & Every LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Patent attorneys Tier 2

The team members at Gill Jennings & Every LLP are praised for having ‘excellent general chemistry and technology knowledge’, and with offices in London and Munich, the practice’s offering is broad ranging and covers the IT, engineering, and chemical and life sciences industries. It is well-placed to handle opposition and appeal proceedings before the EPO. The team is co-chaired by managing partner Stephen Haley, who acts for academic institutions, and large, multi-national corporations in prosecuting and managing their large patent portfolios, and Michael Lord. Peter Arrowsmith is another notable name in computer implemented inventions, and Heather Scott regularly drafts and prosecutes in the physics, engineering, and material science fields. Senior associate Rebecca Matheson is also active in appeal and opposition proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Mike Lord; Stephen Haley

Other key lawyers:

Peter Arrowsmith; Rebecca Matheson; Graham Spenceley; Ian Jones; Ross Cummings; Arnie Clarke; Matthew Hoyles; Heather Scott; Lucy Samuels; John Fisher; John Jappy

Testimonials

‘Gill Jennings & Every has a hands-on approach and keeps clients in the loop at all stages of the patent process. It is a collaborative team.’

‘Stephen Haley is always contactable, always up to speed, and deeply understands his client’s businesses. He’s up-to-date on the latest developments and brings ideas and recommendations proactively.’

‘All of the team are very knowledgable; patent lawyers and paralegals are great at what they do. The team always has your best interests at heart and listens very carefully, providing very clear advice.’

‘There are so many positive things to say about Gill Jennings Every, but the single word that sums them up is effortless. From consultations and discovery meetings to communication with the team, billing, and managing the client’s position, it’s just effortless.’

‘The individuals have excellent general chemistry and technology knowledge and the company has the breadth to employ specialists with real in-depth expertise.’

‘Graham Spenceley is extremely knowledgeable about his subject, always keen to go the extra mile, and is supported by a large team. His advice is sensible and pragmatic, with sufficient guidance to inform commercial decision-making.’

‘Peter Arrowsmith is a great advocate.’

‘Rebecca Matheson is extremely competent on the science, incisive in her approach, very dedicated, and responsive. Where required, she takes the initiative. She understands the client’s needs and objectives and makes a huge effort to provide, and does provide, an excellent service that meets those needs and objectives.’

Key clients

Procter & Gamble

De La Rue

Xerox

PARC

Oracle

Sosei Heptares

Heptares Therapeutics

JT International

TTP

Wave Optics

Snap

Work highlights

  • Assisting Procter & Gamble on European opposition, opinion, and appeal work.
  • Advising De La Rue on strategic IP matters, patent drafting, and portfolio management.
  • Advising JT International on its patent-related mandates.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Trade mark attorneys Tier 2

From Gill Jennings & Every LLP’s London and Munich offices, the trade mark attorney team provides well-known multinational corporations, large corporates, SMEs, start-ups, and universities in the UK, Europe, and other jurisdictions with a strong cross-border offering. The practice has demonstrable experience in handling multi-jurisdictional clearance projects, registrations, opposition and cancellation issues, domain name complaints, and anti-counterfeiting matters, as well as representing clients in prosecution proceedings and portfolio management. Chairman Alasdair MacQuarrie leads the team with particular expertise in the pharmaceutical, entertainment, toys and games, high security printing, and fashion industries, while Edward Carstairs heads up the firm’s food, drink, and hospitality sector group. In May 2022, trade marks director Rachael Ward joined the team from Ward Trade Marks.

Practice head(s):

Alasdair MacQuarrie; Edward Carstairs

Other key lawyers:

Rachael Ward; Luca Colombo

Testimonials

‘Edward Carstairs simplifies things and explains different scenarios well.’

‘Gill Jennings makes me feel like I am their only client. Whatever the issue is, they provide quick, smart, and practical answers.’

‘Alasdair MacQuarrie develops and executes action plans quickly and with good success rates.’

Key clients

World Wrestling Entertainment

Hasbro

Wizards of the Coast

Zoetis

Focusrite

Clean Co

Under Armour

Eusa Pharma UK Ltd

Inivos Ltd

Audoo Limited

Aviation Works Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising Under Armour on opposition proceedings at the UKIPO, having successfully defended a logo mark valued in excess of £500m.
  • Advisd Thrasio on the protection of its brands at the UKIPO and EPO, including defending its trade marks against third party challenges.
  • Advising WWE in relation to strategic filing issues and prosecuting applications for their talent and tag team names and new shows, registering in the UK and Europe in relation to and handling opposition and cancellation matters, enforcing rights against third parties, and undertaking recordal programs.

Gill Jennings & Every LLP > Firm Profile

Gill Jennings & Every LLP (GJE) is a leading firm of European patent and trade mark attorneys which combines a relentless focus on high-quality IP services with an innovative approach to providing strategic and consulting advice to clients and investors. GJE represents UK and overseas clients in a range of industries who wish to identify, establish, protect, exploit and enforce their IP rights in the UK, Europe and worldwide. We act throughout the EU through both our London and Munich offices.

The firm’s key areas of patent expertise include electrical and mechanical engineering, physics, IT/software, electronics, medical devices, chemistry, materials science and life sciences/biotech, together with trade marks, domain names, copyright and designs.

The firm: GJE is recognised as a top-drawer firm. In 2022, the firm was recognised by the Financial Times as a leading European patent practice, and was top-ranked  among a total of 167 recommended firms that were assessed.

The firm’s attorneys work with a wide range of businesses, including early stage and spin-out companies, SMEs, large corporates, as well as global multinationals. It has a flexible team, including some of the most talented and experienced people in the profession. As well as filing and prosecution work, it advises clients in relation to maximising opportunities by developing a proactive IP strategy, essentially based around a highly commercial approach that is closely aligned to clients’ business objectives. It is often asked to audit clients’ existing IP portfolios to ensure that all commercialisation opportunities are maximised.

The firm works closely with a plethora of industry giants, many of whom are Forbes listed. Clients include such high-value companies as Hasbro Inc, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc, Mastercard Inc,  Xerox, Oracle, De La Rue, Japanese Tobacco International, Procter & Gamble, Micron Technology, Arla Foods, Snap Inc., , Under Armour and Oxford Instruments plc.

Types of work undertaken
Patents: GJE combines legal expertise with an ability to understand clients’ business plans, the competitive landscape they operate in, and their specific technologies in order to draft and advise on commercially valuable patents. Its patent expertise covers the whole range of industry sectors, including electrical and mechanical engineering, physics, IT/software, machine learning and AI, electronics, medical devices, business methods, chemistry and materials science, together with life sciences.

Trade marks and brands: the firm’s UK and European trade mark attorneys have a wealth of experience in all aspects of trade mark protection and enforcement. They can help protect clients’ businesses with tailor-made strategies reflective of their commercial aims.

Designs: GJE advises clients on both registered and unregistered design rights in the UK, Europe and around the world. GJE ensures its clients understand the various forms of protection and enforcement available, and the associated benefits and drawbacks, before advising on the most appropriate filing strategy.

Oppositions:  Since conception, GJE’s specialist Oppositions group have handled over 1,300 oppositions (close to 450 defending, and 850 attacking). In terms of results, GJE has consistently outperformed the industry average within the European market, in view of which the firm’s opposition practice has increased significantly over the last five years, handling over 400 oppositions during this time period. Their expertise is spread across the firm with over 70 new oppositions being taken on in the last 12 months.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Chairman / Trade Marks Head Alasdair MacQuarrie alasdair.macquarrie@gje.com +44 (0)20 7655 8500
Managing partner / IT & Engineering Head Michael Lord michael.lord@gje.com +44 (0)20 7655 8500
Managing partner Stephen Haley stephen.haley@gje.com +44 (0)20 7655 8500
Chemistry and Life Sciences Head Arnie Clarke arnie.clarke@gje.com +44 (0)20 7655 8500

Staff Figures

Number of UK partners : 15
Number of other UK fee-earners : 45

Languages

English (fluent)
German

Diversity


We have a dedicated diversity and inclusion group, fully supported by our business leaders. Working to the theme of “Gill Jennings & EveryBODY”, the group comprises volunteers spanning all levels from new entrants to partners, fee earners and support staff. The group is tasked with promoting diversity across the business, diversity training and external outreach. Recent and on-going initiatives by the group include: (1) hosting a group of A-level students selected by the Sutton Trust for work experience, with the aim of broadening access to the IP profession; (2) publishing a series of interview articles with role models working in STEM or the IP industry, with a broad range of backgrounds, to help inspire those looking to get into the field; and (3) reviewing and modifying our training practices with a view to ensuring inclusivity and recognition of different learning styles.

In addition, both the HR department through its wellbeing weeks, and the social committee through its exploits for charity, run events aimed at improving the awareness of diversity matters. One of our focusses has been on mental health, recognising that it is an issue across the legal profession. We have held a variety of training sessions and webinars including how to start a conversation about mental health and strategies for improving resilience and managing stress. We have trained mental health first aiders, provide a confidential helpline which provides counselling and advice 24/7 and has recently introduced wellness action plans (an initiative developed by MIND to support mental health in the workplace).

At GJE we recruit and promote on ability and merit. We train our recruiters to actively look out for and eliminate bias based on factors such as gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. We also encourage them to explore their own unconscious bias; when and why it occurs, how it impacts and how to overcome its detrimental effects.

Our diversity policy, wellbeing strategy, benefits package, induction training and our core values underpin all of the above. In particular, they set the tone for new arrivals to the firm, making it clear that everyone is welcome, respected and supported. HR actively seeks feedback and encourages a culture of openness, making it easier, for example, to provide support to those with hidden disabilities.

We are signatories of IP Inclusive, an initiative which brings people together from across the IP sector in pursuit of a common goal: to promote and improve equality, diversity and inclusion within our community. GJE partners and staff regularly participate in IP Inclusive events and are encouraged to speak at, attend, as well as organise, host and generally get involved in the various talks, meetings and workshops organised under the IP Inclusive banner. Partner Heather Scott is also involved in IP Inclusive’s Careers In Ideas initiative, which seeks to promote careers in IP, particularly to those who might not previously have considered it.