Appleyard Lees > Leeds, England > Firm Profile
Appleyard Lees Offices

1 EAST PARADE
LEEDS
LS1 2AD
England
Appleyard Lees > The Legal 500 Rankings
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Patent attorneys Tier 2
Specialist IP firm Appleyard Lees is praised for its ‘highly experienced experts’, who are skilled in a range of industries, including life sciences, pharmaceuticals, electronics, software, chemistry, engineering, and physics. The firm counts emerging innovators and start-ups among its extensive client base, as well as larger international corporations. In Leeds, managing director Bobby Smithson now heads up the team, having taken over from previous Manchester-based practice head David Clark, who has substantial experience in patent drafting and opposition work regarding electronics, as well as representing clients in infringement proceedings. Barbara Fleck in Leeds spearheads the firm’s life sciences sector group, and she boasts ‘expert knowledge in the biotechnology IP space’ in particular. Howard Read retired in April 2024.Practice head(s):
Bobby Smithson
Other key lawyers:
Julia Gwilt; David Clark; Dick Waddington; Adam Tindall; Barbara Fleck; Kate Hickinson; Parminder Lally; Paul Beynon; Paul Roscoe; Richard Bray
Testimonials
‘Richard Bray and David Clark’s ability to answer our questions promptly and with high quality, especially during urgent times and despite the time difference, is always reassuring. Entrusting them with handling matters in Europe and the UK is always a wise decision. Additionally, they communicate frequently to ensure a correct understanding of the client’s needs and are able to motivate everyone to do their best.’
‘Appleyard Lees has grown in size but retains the character and personality of a small firm; highly focused on the client, super-responsive, and with an excellent strategic approach to patent prosecution and management.’
‘Barbara Fleck is an outstanding European Patent Attorney with expert knowledge in the biotechnology IP space, notably in the fields of transgenic animal technology, antibody engineering, and therapeutic biologics including bi-specific molecules. I am impressed with Barbara’s strategic handling of our caseload. Barbara summarises highly complex arguments with great clarity.’
‘The practice has highly experienced experts in fields covering food science and related technologies who think together with the client about the optimum strategy for protecting IP, which can go beyond thinking about patent content.’
‘The team arranged for us at Appleyard Lees is diverse in its technological and IP skills, as well as their industrial knowledge and background, yet with people knowing about our industry to help drive everybody in the right direction in line with our expectations to maximise relevance of our IP rights. All people are friendly and most importantly curious to understand and fit our needs and bring added value for us.’
‘Richard Bray and Paul Beynon are second-to-none when establishing a trusted relationship with their client and are always available to listen to us and adjust resources and advice in a tailor-made fashion. They are just a pleasure to work with and they are really on top of things to ensure the supporting team outputs are to expected standards.’
‘Appleyard Lees have been exceptional at creating our patent estate and advice on Freedom to Operate. In particular, the patents they craft for us stand out globally in the field as having clear claims that account for the complex, noisy and changing biology. Their leadership in the field is also demonstrated by how the partners and associates have educated examiners in numerous jurisdictions on the appropriateness of our filing and the lack of rational in the application of others.’
Key clients
Clasado Research Services
Smith and Nephew
PPG
Samsung
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Trade mark attorneys Tier 2
Specialist IP firm Appleyard Lees is particularly active in the computing, fashion, and FMCG sectors, and assists clients across the full range of trade mark-related mandates, including with licensing and commercialisation of existing rights. Bobby Smithson heads up the practice, and he is ably supported by Leeds-based Robert Cumming and Chris Hoole in Cambridge, both of whom are dual qualified as trade mark attorneys and solicitors. Cumming handles multi-jurisdictional disputes, while Hoole frequently works on global anti-counterfeiting campaigns.Practice head(s):
Bobby Smithson
Other key lawyers:
Robert Cumming; Chris Hoole; David Moy; Beverley Robinson; Daniel Bailey
Appleyard Lees > Firm Profile
Appleyard Lees is a leading intellectual property law firm, with approximately 70 patent and trademark attorneys and litigators.
Who we are, and what we do – but also, how we do it – makes us distinctive.
Our commercially intelligent approach to client service incorporates flexibility and adaptability. We strive to be agile, to respond to specific client requirements in a way that suits them.
We help a broad range of IP owners and creators, including in-house teams, R&D specialists, owner-managers and branding professionals, protect and monetise their intellectual property. We also support clients manage post-grant challenges, should they arise.
Our clients include some of the world’s most exciting innovators, largest companies and household names, with a number of clients obtaining Fortune 500, Fortune Global 2000, FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and Forbes Global 2000 status. Our clients operate across a diverse collection of industries, including chemicals, retail, consumer goods, electronics, software, bio and life sciences, pharmaceuticals, metals and heavy industry, higher education and hospitality, leisure and tourism.
In addition to our catalogue of multinational and multimillion-pound clients, Appleyard Lees is equally proud of the role we have played in the growth of start-up businesses.
The firm recruits the very best professionals who have a passion for their individual areas of specialism, and supports staff throughout their career development. Providing expert training, we ensure our staff can deliver outstanding service.
With offices in UK innovation hotspots, we are positioned to give clients expert strategic IP advice in the UK and worldwide.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Managing Partner | Bobby Smithson | [email protected] | 07786578269 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Chris Hoole | Partner / Solicitor | View Profile |
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Bobby Smithson | Partner / Patent Attorney | View Profile |
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Dick Waddington | Partner / Patent Attorney | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Partners : 20Client Testimonials
COMPANY/FIRM: Samsung Electronics
TESTIMONIAL: Recognised globally as an industry leader in technology and now ranked as a top 10 global brand.
COMPANY/FIRM: Cranswick PLC
TESTIMONIAL: Cranswick plc is a leading UK food producer and supplier of premium, fresh and added-value food products.
COMPANY/FIRM: Mondelez International Inc.
TESTIMONIAL: American multinational confectionery, food and beverage conglomerate, comprising former Kraft Foods, Cadbury’s confectionery business, Oreo and Nabisco.
COMPANY/FIRM: Walmart Inc. (ASDA)
TESTIMONIAL: The global leader in retail and world’s largest company.
COMPANY/FIRM: British Steel
TESTIMONIAL: Manufacturer of high-quality steel products serving markets around the world, with a network of metal centres and service centres across the UK and Ireland.
COMPANY/FIRM: Smith & Nephew Medical Limited
TESTIMONIAL: Portfolio medical company, with a range of surgical devices and wound care.