Richard Howson > Kilburn & Strode LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Richard Howson

+44 (0)20 3947 4200 View profile

Work Department

Patents, Tech Practice Group

Position

Managing Partner

Career

With a degree in engineering and industrial experience working as an engineer in automotive R&D, Richard specialises in the mechanical and electrical fields. He has knowledge of a wide range of technologies in these fields, but has particular experience in automotive and aerospace. His automotive expertise is in powertrains, engine control and hybrid vehicles, including the design of electrical machines for hybrid applications. His aerospace experience takes in mechanical systems, electrical systems and manufacturing technology, usually in commercial aeroplane applications, but also in spaceflight applications. He is also active in technologies in the Cleantech sector.

Richard’s patent practice includes drafting new applications, prosecuting applications worldwide and managing large portfolios for multinational corporations. European Patent Office opposition work, including representing clients at oral proceedings before the EPO, forms a large part of Richard’s practice, with The Legal 500 noting that he is ‘a particular expert in oppositions.’

As well as being a European Patent Attorney and a Chartered UK Patent Attorney, Richard is qualified as a Singapore Patent Agent following a spell practising in that country.

Outside his casework, Richard has been involved in setting and marking the European Qualifying Examination – the exam that leads to qualification as a European Patent Attorney. He is a contributing editor to the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorney’s Patents Training Manual and speaks regularly on patents in the US and Europe.

Richard is currently the firm’s Managing Partner. He was elected to this newly-created role in 2015. Since then, he has led delivery of the firm’s strategic plan.

Memberships

CIPA
EPI – Member of committee that devises and marks the EQE (2007-2012)
FICPI – Council member and Secretary of FICPI-UK

Education

Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate
European Patent Attorney
Chartered UK Patent Attorney
Singapore Patent Agent
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering – The University of Birmingham (International Gas Turbine Institute prize for final-year project)