Venner Shipley LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Venner Shipley LLP Offices
![Venner Shipley LLP company logo](https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/10/VS-1-300x93.png?v=1696343248)
200 Aldersgate
EC1A 4HD
England
Venner Shipley LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Patent attorneys Tier 1
Venner Shipley LLP is praised by a client for having ‘a diverse team with depth and breadth of knowledge’ across patent-related mandates, covering electronics and software, which is led by Jan Walaski, mechanical and engineering headed up by Ian Grey, and chemistry and life sciences spearheaded by Siân Gill. The firm continues to handle an increasing number of patent applications, with particular expertise in AI and machine learning products; Richard Kennedy leads the firm’s AI IP offering. It also has notable strength in opposition and appeal proceedings before the EPO, and its client roster is broad ranging, including universities, SMEs, and start-ups, as well as multi-national corporations. In Cambridge, managing partner Pawel Piotrowicz is an expert in computer-implemented simulations, and Allie Elend has ‘excellent scientific knowledge’ and supports large pharmaceutical companies. Head of the firm’s Guildford office, Anton Hutter, has significant expertise in patenting antibodies, vaccines, and gene therapy constructs. The team continues to expand, with five new patent attorneys hires since July 2022.Practice head(s):
Jan Walaski; Ian Grey; Sian Gill
Other key lawyers:
Allie Elend; Catrin Petty; Anton Hutter; Paul Derry; Richard Kennedy; Tim Russell; Alex Brown;Â Simon Taor; Pawel Piotrowicz; Emma Longland; Louis Trichard; Kirsty Simpson
Testimonials
‘Venner Shipley has a diverse team with depth and breadth of knowledge. The team is academically very talented and can grasp new ideas and concepts very quickly, and more importantly, they can convert the idea into the written form.’
‘Allie Elend is a very bright, intelligent lawyer with excellent scientific knowledge; she grasps new ideas and concepts almost immediately and asks excellent thought-provoking questions in order to best understand the science and technology.’
‘Everyone at Venner is incredible in terms of providing clear and concise communications and work product on time that includes detailed and accurate analysis.’
‘The team is well-equipped to help make the right strategic decisions.’
‘Venner has great experience in patent prosecution and EPO opposition and appeal proceedings.’
‘Catrin Petty and Anton Hutter have an excellent understanding of chemistry. It helps in making a robust application for novel small molecules. and in granting and defending patents.’
‘Paul Derry is very committed, and he takes extra steps in application drafting to solve issues with inventors.’
‘Tim Russell has broad expertise in all aspects of patent prosecution. He has extensive expertise in opposition and appeal proceedings before the EPO, combined with technical and legal knowledge. He provides high-quality services.’
Key clients
Roche
Sanofi
BAT
Nicoventures
Zimmer Biomet
AstraZeneca
Cambridge Display Technology
Cerevance
Neuro-bio
Procter & Gamble
Samsung Group
Takeda Pharmaceutical
Airbus Defence and Space
Epizyme
FiberLean Technologies
Work highlights
- Advised British American Tobacco and related companies since 2007 on their patent portfolios.
- Advised Sanofi on its European patent prosecution, opposition, freedom to operate, and filing registered designs.
- Advised Roche on its patent portfolio acquired from Inflazome.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Trade mark attorneys Tier 2
Venner Shipley LLP is praised as a ‘go-to firm for any UK trade mark matters’ and has demonstrable experience in managing global portfolios and prosecution mandates for a wide range of clients, including FTSE100 companies, global corporations, in addition to SMEs, and start-ups. Practice head Clare Turnbull is based in Tunbridge Wells and regularly represents clients before the UKIPO, EPO, and WIPO due to her significant experience in oppositions and invalidity proceedings, and Jane Martin also sits in Tunbridge Wells. In the firm’s London office, chartered UK trade mark attorney David Birchall is fluent in French and is also qualified as a solicitor. Birchall is active in working alongside foreign trade mark attorneys in prosecution and registration matters.Practice head(s):
Clare Turnbull
Other key lawyers:
Jane Martin; David Birchall; Yoann Rousseau; Gloria Parmesan; Camilla Sexton
Testimonials
‘I’ve been impressed with the partners’ client management and cost-effective and practical updates and advice notes. The firm’s matter management is also good.’
‘Clare Turnbull has very good client relationships and expectations management. She is tailored and practical with her advice, and it certainly helps when she sets out the position, as well as the risk and benefits. She is also very friendly and approachable.’
‘Venner Shipley is a go-to firm for any UK trade mark matters. I also highly recommend them when asked for a reference in the UK by my peers. Working with them is a breeze, and they provide much value.’
‘Yoann Rousseau is unparalleled in his attention to his client’s needs. He is thorough and always delivers impeccable work. While being detail-oriented and explaining the legal subtleties, he manages to keep a hands-on and practical approach that allows for actionable advices. An absolute pleasure to work with, his responsiveness is second to none.’
‘A great team of professionals dedicated to satisfying their clients and to making their job as professional as possible.’
‘I have been impressed by their work and by their professional skills. They just do the job as it must be done with a touch of talent, which makes them special. This is in particular the case when I work with Clare Turnbull and Camilla Sexton.’
‘The team provide a proactive and pragmatic service, are easy to deal with and respond promptly.’
‘David Birchall provides great support for our global portfolio, and always gives a considered and commercial response to matters that arise.’
Key clients
Atkins Limited
The Norwex Group
The Sakata Group of Companies
Apple and Pear Australia Ltd
Coregeo Ltd
Aspen Pumps
TalkTalk
Tactus Group
Aviva Plc
First Grade International
The Masic Foundation
Saferpet Ltd
The Able Label Limited
Zimmer Biomet
Clinigen Limited
IQUW Syndicate Management Limited
Quite Interesting Limited
Waymade plc
Atnahs
Work highlights
- Advising the UK and EU divisions of Sakata on trade mark matters.
- Assisting Quite Interesting Limited with searching, filing, and opposition services.
- Advising TalkTalk on their trade mark portfolio.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: patents (contentious and non-contentious) Tier 5
Routinely assisting a variety of clients, including universities and start-up companies, Venner Shipley LLP’s patent practice is capable of handling patent portfolio and licensing issues. Practice head James Tumbridge is well-versed in IP disputes, as well as a more niche expertise in IP government relations advice. Robert Peake is another key name to note.Practice head(s):
James Tumbridge
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Imperial College London
FiberLean Technologies
Vax Equity Global Health
Neuro-Bio
AcePak
Work highlights
- Advised FiberLean’s on contractual matters and contentious commercial matters.
- Advised Imperial College spin-out company, VaxEquity Limited, on commercial collaborations emanating from this fast-moving (and a confidential) project.
- Advised Neuro-Bio Ltd on the monetisation of the company patent families and options for assignment and/or licensing to a new company in a different therapeutic field.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design Tier 5
Venner Shipley LLP covers a broad range of IP mandates, with notable expertise in handling registered designs and direct advocacy experience in the British Overseas territories, the USA and Canada. Alex Brown is well-versed in EPO oppositions and appeals, while Ian Grey advises on matters concerning design rights. Robert Peake has recently handled a registered design right infringement claim, with James Tumbridge focusing on IP disputes. Clare Turnbull, who advises on trade mark strategies, is another key contact in the group.Practice head(s):
James Tumbridge; Clare Turnbull; Ian Grey; Alex Brown
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘I have been impressed with the partners’ client management and cost-effective and practical updates and advice notes.’
‘The firm manage their network of international associates’ inputs seamlessly, which makes my life easier.’
‘Very good client relationship and expectations management from Clare Turnbull. She is tailored and practical with her advice.’
‘Venner Shipley is my go-to firm for any UK trademark matters.’
‘Working with them is a breeze and they provide much value.’
‘They are adept at considering a client’s IP issues in light of their business goals and not simply in a legal vacuum.’
‘High quality at good value.’
‘Responsive and clearly experts in their fields.’
Key clients
Alexander Mann Associates Ltd
Norfolk Dinosaur Park
The Project Band Limited
Other Creative Ltd
Trade Fair International
Vital Signs Limited
Burgopak/Duallok
Sanofi
ResMed Pty Limited
Canva Pty Limited
SharkNinja Operating LLC
Cateye Co., Ltd
Transcover /Eclat
TalkTalk
Norwex
Aspen Pumps
Jensen International Automotive Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised TalkTalk in a hearing at the UKIPO regarding third party marks, with the UKIPO agreeing with Venner Shipley’s arguments and submissions and ruled that it had no hesitation in concluding that TalkTalk has a significant reputation in the mark TalkTalk for telecommunications goods and services, and that, taking into consideration the nature and extent of the evidence filed, this reputation is high.
- Advised Sanofi on registered designs.
- Representing Bloomberg, the global financial information and media company, whose customers rely on them to deliver accurate, real-time business and market-moving information that helps them make critical financial decisions.
Venner Shipley LLP > Firm Profile
Venner Shipley is a prominent full-service European intellectual property firm, uniquely with a leading team of patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys, solicitors and barristers, providing a complete IP service to clients.
Our clients value the strategic and multi-disciplinary approach we take to supporting their business goals, and we have experts in many rapidly developing technical fields: our managing partner led the European Court of Appeal G1/19 case on computer-implemented simulations and our life sciences team has been an integral part of numerous vaccine research and development projects, notably including Imperial College’s self-amplifying RNA vaccine.
Our multi-disciplinary team deals with a hugely diverse and constantly evolving range of intellectual property issues in multiple jurisdictions with specialist teams in Life Sciences, materials, software and AI as well as engineering expertise from heavy mechanical to electronics. The component parts of Venner Shipley combine to give our clients the creative and innovative solutions to their commercial needs they require and expect us to tirelessly deliver.
We have a wealth of experience advising on the life cycle of IPR from clearance and filing strategies worldwide, through to drafting, filing and prosecution, along with transactional work and defensive and offensive contentious work, with oppositions and other contentious work being a strength across the full range of IPR, from patents and trade marks to designs, copyright and soft IP. Our legal team has particular expertise in data protection, ownership and dispute resolution and our whole team works together to provide the strategic and analytic advice that our clients rely on to make their IP work harder for, and add value to, their businesses and give them a competitive edge.
With multiple offices in the UK and EU, we work with clients in a huge range of industry sectors, from major international corporations, to universities and SMEs, and we play a key role in nurturing of innovation and growth. We have a truly flexible approach to the service we provide, putting client priorities at the front and centre of what we do. This has resulted in long term relationships and a vast resource of knowledge of our clients’ businesses and priorities, with many clients having been with us for decades.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Managing Partner | Pawel Piotrowicz | ppiotrowicz@vennershipley.co.uk | +44 (0) 20 7600 4212 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Oliver Anderson | Oliver is a European and Chartered Patent Attorney in our Electronics, Software… | View Profile |
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David Birchall | David is a solicitor (non–practising) and a chartered UK trade mark attorney… | View Profile |
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Alex Brown | Alex is a European and Chartered Patent Attorney in our Mechanical team.… | View Profile |
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John Chettle | John is a European and Chartered Patent Attorney with expertise in the… | View Profile |
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Paul Derry | Paul is a European and Chartered Patent Attorney. Paul worked previously in… | View Profile |
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Kirsty Dolphin | Kirsty is a European and Chartered Patent Attorney in our Chemical and… | View Profile |
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Siân Gill | Siân is a European and Chartered Patent Attorney in our Chemical and… | View Profile |
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Ian Grey | Ian is a European and Chartered Patent Attorney and heads up our… | View Profile |
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Philip Harrison | Philip is a European and Chartered Patent Attorney in our Electronics, Software… | View Profile |
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Gloria Parmesan | Gloria is a chartered UK trade mark attorney with over 20 years’… | View Profile |
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Robert Peake | Robert is a Partner in our legal services team, focusing on intellectual… | View Profile |
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Yoann Rousseau | Yoann is a chartered UK trade mark attorney with extensive knowledge of… | View Profile |
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Rob Sayer | Rob is a European and Chartered Patent Attorney in our Electronics, Software… | View Profile |
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Camilla Sexton | Since qualifying as a chartered UK trade mark attorney in 2001, Camilla… | View Profile |
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Simon Taor | Simon is a European and Chartered Patent Attorney in our Electronics, Software… | View Profile |
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Peter Thorniley | Peter is a partner in our Electronics, Software and Communications team. He… | View Profile |
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James Tumbridge | Partner | View Profile |
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Jan Walaski | Jan heads up the Electronics, Software and Communications team, having stepped down… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of partners : 31Languages
English German French Russian Chinese (Mandarin) Korean PolishMemberships
CIPA, CITMADiversity
We are constantly seeking to broaden the diversity of the firm, ensuring we are a fair and inclusive workplace and service provider. We act for a diverse range of clients and it is important that the make-up of our staff is similarly diverse. We have had positive feedback from clients on this.
Venner Shipley has an internal Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Forum with membership from across the firm to support and guide our progress on these issues. In addition to training, we regularly share posts and articles on diversity issues eg celebrating Pride, International Womens Day, Black History Month and International Day of People with Disabilities. We want to ensure we are listening and learning about things that we can do more effectively in relation to people from minority backgrounds so everyone feels fully included within the firm.
Venner Shipley is a member of IP inclusive, supporting equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives within the IP profession particularly focusing on gender issues (Women in IP), LGBT (IP Out), BAME (IP and ME) and disability (IP Able).
Members of the firm are also active in outreach activities as STEM Ambassadors looking to increase the diversity of people coming into the IP profession. We have a partnership with the charity, IntoUniversity helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study for and achieve a place at university. The firm supports the charity through fund-raising and mentoring programmes.
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Patent attorneys