Swindell & Pearson Ltd > Derby, England > Firm Profile
Swindell & Pearson Ltd Offices
48 FRIAR GATE
DERBY
DE1 1GY
England
Swindell & Pearson Ltd > The Legal 500 Rankings
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Patent attorneys Tier 3
Swindell & Pearson Ltd advises on a range of technologies, and its offering encompasses support with drafting and prosecution proceedings. Its clients are especially active in the electronics, engineering, automotive, and mechanical sectors, and it has a number of universities in its client base. Derby-based Paul Higgin heads up the practice with notable expertise in contentious mandates regarding patent licensing. Scott Harrison is another key team member and is highly praised by clients. The firm also opened a new office in Birmingham in 2023, to help better serve its broad roster of clients.Practice head(s):
Paul Higgin
Other key lawyers:
Scott Harrison; Christine Anglesea; Martin Terry; Tim Gilbert
Testimonials
‘Scott Harrison is an exceptional listener and makes copious notes, either written or in his head. He is able to align his thoughts and practices with undeveloped concepts. He is quick to point out areas where solutions have not been innovated and how a broad patent claim may capture new commercial opportunities.’
‘The technical level of S&P associates is very high and therefore it’s very efficient to produce effective patents within few iterations. The team is always available and proactive.’
‘Their technical knowledge and ability to explain legal jargon in a clear and simple to understand manner is impressive. It also helps that the strategy is discussed upfront and the steps to achieve our IP needs are clear at every step of the way. This is definitely true for Scott Harrison.’
‘It is a pleasure to work with the team at Swindell & Pearson due to the fact that anyone of the team assigned to us is more than willing to point us in the right direction with any of our queries. Their professionalism in doing business has ensured that we have found better ways to construct and use our in-house systems.’
‘Tim Gilbert is super-efficient and understands how to maximise value from IP.’
‘Christine Anglesea is able to work with complex technology fields in a time efficient manner without compromising quality of work, always providing a high standard of work by meeting deadlines even under most tight schedules, excellent solution finding against problems with professional guides and perfect communication skills. ’
‘Swindell & Pearson offers the highest quality patent representation before the EPO. I’ve found them quick to engage personally, in person or via Zoom.’
‘We engaged with Swindell & Pearson when we needed to onboard a new patent portfolio. The team of Scott Harrison was instrumental in facilitating the transition of portfolio management. Their proactive approach, meticulous follow-up, and effective teamwork ensure a smooth process. Their strong customer orientation is evident throughout our collaboration.’
Key clients
Nokia Technologies
Accenture
Valve Corporation
T-Mobile USA
ViaSat
Cruise, LLC
Vibrantz
Nokia Bell Labs
Etex
De Montfort University
Loughborough University
University of Northumbria
Work highlights
- Represented NOKIA in numerous high-value and technically complex cases granted at the European Patent Office that read onto telecommunication standards.
- Represented NOKIA in urgent patent applications drafted for very complex inventions as a result of standardisation committee outcomes, relating to complex signalling requirements used in 5G networks.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Trade mark attorneys Tier 4
High-value contentious cases and strategic actions form a key part of the trade mark offering at Swindell & Pearson Ltd, which boasts a client base consisting of regional, national, and international companies. Praised by one client as ‘experts in securing and enforcing intellectual property rights across the world‘, the group has been increasingly active in filings and UKIPO opposition, revocation, and cancellation proceedings. At the helm of the practice is Derby-based senior director Nick Womsley, and another notable name is Kieron Taylor, who ‘exemplifies excellence in every aspect of his intellectual property practice’.Practice head(s):
Nick Womsley
Other key lawyers:
Kieron Taylor; Victor Povid
Testimonials
‘Swindell & Pearson Ltd are experts in securing and enforcing intellectual property rights across the world in the form of patents, trade marks and designs. It has been working in IP industry for over 140 years and we have cooperated for over ten years. With expertise in IP industry and knowledge of the client’s industry, they provide high-quality and comprehensive IP solutions to protect clients’ IP rights and achieve clients’ IP goals.’
‘As a community of experts, they work hard to remain on the cutting edge of technical and legal matters so that they can best serve clients. They are good at making the best use of the team’s wisdom, for which they organise monthly internal seminars to share best practice and travel the globe to speak at international conferences and learn from others.’
‘We have worked with many colleagues from Swindell, and among them Kieron Taylor stands out. He has practiced trade mark works in many different fields of technology and commerce, and he has particular expertise in the fields of fashion, charities, building, construction, food and beverages, retail and industrial products. His clients range from individual rights holders and SMEs to multinational trade mark owners.’
‘Their communication is consistently organised, clear, and efficient. This saves a lot of time in our interactions and also helps streamline my workflow.’
‘Kieron Taylor exemplifies excellence in every aspect of his intellectual property practice. His profound understanding of IP law, combined with a strategic mindset, consistently distinguishes him from competitors. Kieron’s meticulous approach to solving complex challenges and his dedication to delivering tailored solutions are truly commendable.’
‘Kieron Taylor possesses a unique ability to anticipate and address client needs with precision and clarity. Kieron’s exceptional communication skills, coupled with his unwavering commitment to integrity, make him an invaluable partner in the field of intellectual property.’
‘In my experience, the team at Swindell & Pearson distinguishes itself with its consistency in delivering quality intellectual property representation without problems or hiccups. I struggle to think of an instance where we had to deal with a problem of their making.’
‘Although I expect competence, professionalism, and quality of all my associates, the people at Swindell are easy to work with and I have developed close professional relationships with them that have made our collaborations both rewarding and enjoyable over the years.’
Key clients
Slimming World
The Mentholatum Company
Work highlights
- Advising Slimming World on its global trade mark portfolio management and global brand strategy.
- Advising Assisi Pet Care Limited on its trade mark portfolio and handling oppositions to its growing trade mark rights
Swindell & Pearson Ltd > Firm Profile
We are experts in securing and enforcing intellectual property rights across the world, in the form of patents, trade marks and designs. We have served our clients’ intellectual property needs for over 140 years. Local, national and multinational companies trust our attorneys with their patent, design and trade mark portfolios.
We aim to build long-term, enduring relationships with our clients
We have long-term relationships with many of clients. Some of these client relationships have been built over decades. This is because we care about helping our clients develop and grow their businesses. We believe this is demonstrated in the services that we provide and the trust that has been built up with our clients over the years.
We care about our clients
We go beyond the transactional, learning about what our clients’ plans are for the future and how we can support them in achieving their goals. Sometimes our clients contact us with knowledge of exactly which intellectual
property services they need. Other times, they know where they want their businesses to be, but they need our practical knowledge of the intellectual property landscape to identify how intellectual property can help them to get there. We know that this can only be done with a thorough understanding of a client’s business.
We are dedicated specialists in technical and legal matters
Our attorneys have obtained degrees in a wide variety of science and engineering subjects from some of the world’s leading universities. It’s not unusual to encounter an attorney that has a higher degree or PhD.
As a community of experts, we work hard to remain on the cutting edge of technical and legal matters so that we can best serve our clients. We organise monthly internal seminars to share best practice. We travel the globe to speak at international conferences and learn from others.
The firm: Swindell & Pearson offers intellectual property services comparable to the very best firms in Europe. Its quality control is exceptional whilst its Midlands based location allows it to deliver genuine value for money for the benefit of clients. As a mid-sized firm, Swindell & Pearson is able to provide a flexible and accommodating approach for the benefit of clients.
The firm is commercially minded, attentive and responsive. Clients always know who has done a piece of work and they are able to speak to that person directly. The firm doesn’t have unnecessary partner layers between clients and its attorneys.
Attorneys like to get to know their clients and adapt to their needs. Every client is important to the firm and attorneys are committed to developing long-lasting, trust driven relationships that deliver genuine value for both sides. It’s why so many of its multinational clients trust and rate the firm so highly.
“Provides excellent, professional, and timely service”.
“Brings sanity and a path forward to a sometimes chaotic and constantly changing landscape”.
“Very professional and dedicated team always thinks outside of the box and comes up with different options to solve any issue”.
Just some of the ways in which clients have recently commended the firm which reflect its focus on providing exceptional client care.
Swindell & Pearson boasts one of the UK’s top advanced technology patent teams and is proud that multinational companies seek out the firm to represent them in their valuable patent matters.
The firm’s trade mark team is praised by clients as “Packed with experience, it knows what client care is all about and what it takes to create and drive IP value”. Alongside providing a full range of trade mark services in the UK, Europe and worldwide, the firm also represents clients in the High Court and the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) on the most intricate and complex of trade mark disputes.
Several of the firm’s attorneys bring experience of working in-house whilst recently attorneys have been posted on secondment at clients’ offices. This informs the firm’s commercially focused approach to intellectual property and ensures attorneys truly understand their clients’ requirements.
The firm has significant strength in depth in the semiconductors, nanotechnology, telecommunications, automotive and software fields. Several attorneys have also recently developed technical knowledge within the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence and are already working with their clients to protect valuable inventions within these areas.
Types of work undertaken: Swindell & Pearson’s patent practice provides exceptional patent drafting, filing, prosecution and case management services. With considerable knowledge and experience of drafting patents before the European Patent Office (EPO), attorneys are not only able to draft high quality patent applications and prosecute them successfully to grant with advantageous claim scopes but also have experience in using EPO oppositions to its client’s advantage.
Expertise includes drafting applications suitable for UK, European and international patent prosecution, managing international patent portfolios, advising on patent infringement and third-party conflicts, contentious proceedings including infringement and revocation proceedings, opposition and appeal proceedings before the EPO, patent auditing, patent assignments, licensing and due diligence.
The firm regularly drafts valuable patent applications for prosecution across the world as well as responding to office actions. Attorneys are familiar with the different requirements of many jurisdictions and are therefore able to draft and prosecute applications to the best effect in multiple regions. Swindell & Pearson handles many large, complex families of applications and attorneys are particularly experienced in providing strategic advice to help clients obtain the strongest protection that is most appropriate for them.
Swindell & Pearson’s trade mark practice has a very strong reputation for assisting clients in relation to their trade mark requirements throughout the world. Expertise includes advising on trade mark infringement and third party conflicts, filing and registration of trade mark applications in the UK, Europe and worldwide, managing large international trade mark portfolios, trade mark clearance searches, oppositions, revocation and invalidation proceedings, advising on the effective use and exploitation of trade marks, watching services, advice in relation to trade marks on the internet, advice on counterfeit products, assignments and licensing.
The firm also provides additional services for designs and industrial copyright.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patents | Paul Higgin | [email protected] | +44 1332 367 051 |
| Trade Marks | Nick Womsley | [email protected] | +44 1332 367 051 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Christine Anglesea | Christine is an IP director and member of the firm’s tech and… | View Profile |
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Tim Gilbert | Tim is an associate with specialisms in both engineering and tech. His… | View Profile |
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Scott Harrison | Scott is an IP director in the firm’s tech and engineering practice… | View Profile |
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Paul Higgin | Paul Higgin is an experienced UK and European patent attorney. Paul likes… | View Profile |
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Kieron Taylor | Kieron Taylor is an IP director and a member of the firm’s… | View Profile |
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Martin Terry | Martin Terry is an IP director and member of the firm’s tech… | View Profile |
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Nick Womsley | As an IP director and head of the firm’s trade mark practice… | View Profile |
Memberships
CIPA ITMA Association of European Trade Mark Owners (MARQUES) International Trade Mark Association (INTA) American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)Client Testimonials
CLIENT: Anthony Ashbrook
COMPANY/FIRM: Mobile Acuity
TESTIMONIAL: Patent protection has been critical to growing the value of our business as we are operating in the same space as large multinationals. Being first to market is not enough in itself when faced with significantly better-resourced competition. Paul Higgin’s advice throughout the lifetime of the company has been invaluable.
CLIENT: Chris Ison
COMPANY/FIRM: Codemakers
TESTIMONIAL: Swindell & Pearson have helped us secure both the Codemakers and Shipmate brands, guiding us through the often complicated world of trade mark protection. They clearly explained to us the options for protecting our brands, both nationally and internationally, and kept us informed at all stages of the process. We take the protection of our IP extremely seriously and Swindell & Pearson gave us peace of mind, knowing that our brands are protected now and into the future.
Diversity
As part of its commitment to diversity, Swindell & Pearson Ltd is a member of IP Inclusive which is an organisation that promotes diversity throughout the UK’s intellectual property (IP) professions. Swindell & Pearson Ltd is also a charter signatory of IP Inclusive’s Charter for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. By signing up to the charter, Swindell and Pearson Ltd has made a public endorsement of diversity within the UK’s IP professions. As part of its diversity initiatives, Swindell & Pearson Ltd also provides diversity and inclusivity training to all new staff members.
Martin Terry, a director at Swindell & Pearson Ltd and the firm’s diversity lead, is a member of IP Inclusive’s Senior Leaders’ Diversity Think Tank which brings together senior leaders from the private sector patent and trade mark professions to identify practical steps for making the IP sector more diverse and inclusive. Martin is also a founding signatory of IP Inclusive’s Senior Leaders’ Pledge for effecting positive change with regards to diversity and inclusivity.