Appleyard Lees

(UK, April 2025) Appleyard Lees is thrilled to announce that Paul Roscoe MEng/CPA/EPA, Beverley Robinson LLB (Hons)/MCITMA, Sarah Gibbs BSc/PhD/EPA/CPA/MRSC and James Myatt PGDip/MChem/PhD/MRSC/EPA/CPA joined the partnership on 1 April 2025. This marks the largest-ever cohort to join the Appleyard Lees partnership, a testament to the growing firm and the exceptional people who drive its success. (L>R) Paul Roscoe, Beverley Robinson, Sarah Gibbs, and James Myatt Each new partner brings a unique perspective and contribution to the partnership, and a clear vision for the impact he or she aims to make as a partner of the firm. They embody the firm’s values in each of their individual ways. Their appointments will develop and strengthen the Appleyard Lees culture. Paul is one of a handful of UK patent attorneys who specialise in patenting cutting-edge computer technologies such as artificial intelligence. Beverley is a trade mark and designs expert, and is leading the development of the firm’s growing, specialist designs team. Sarah works with clients to patent chemical and biotech inventions that span technologies and industries, including in the growing area of ChemBio. James was a drug discovery researcher for many years and now works with highly innovative companies. For their clients, Bev, James, Paul, and Sarah are dedicated to delivering a distinctive experience built on lasting, positive interactions. As a result, they are recognised as dependable, committed, and instrumental in helping clients achieve their goals. As leaders and mentors, they inspire and support their colleagues, guiding their teams with energy, empathy, and enthusiasm. This year’s cohort brings deep scientific and professional expertise across nearly all technical sectors and service areas within the firm. Each plays a pivotal role in driving the success of the teams that serve our most significant clients, further reinforcing our firm’s reputation for excellence. Speaking on the promotions, Bobby Smithson, Managing Partner, commented, “I am incredibly proud of our new cohort of partners. They each embody what it means to be a partner at Appleyard Lees - an unwavering commitment to clients and colleagues and a dedication to the firm’s long held culture and values. I have no doubt they will strengthen our partnership and continue to inspire those around them. “Their journey to partnership, with two of them joining Appleyard Lees as trainees, and two joining more recently after experience in other firms, is a testament to the career opportunities available within our firm. I am excited to see the impact they will make in the years ahead.” About Appleyard Lees Appleyard Lees is a leading intellectual property law firm with approximately eighty patent and trade mark attorneys, specialist solicitors and litigators. Who we are and what we do – but also, how we do it – makes us distinctive. We help our clients protect and monetise their intellectual property, and manage post-grant challenges, should they arise. We offer broad sector and industry knowledge, plus the ability to adapt our services to specific client requirements, in an agile way. With offices in UK innovation hotspots, we are positioned to give clients expert strategic IP advice in the UK and worldwide.   All media enquiries should be directed to [email protected].  

Appleyard Lees continues to expand its comprehensive suite of intellectual property services,including patent and trade mark prosecution and dispute resolution, with the appointment of Arnie Francis, a qualified UK and European patent attorney and solicitor of England and Wales. One of only a handful of UK firms investing in Unified Patent Court (UPC) litigation expertise, Appleyard Lees are strategically positioning themselves as a leader in this emerging field. With the UPC offering new opportunities and challenges, Arnie’s dual qualifications further enhance the firm’s ability to service clients navigating the UPC system. On joining the Firm, Arnie said, “I am thrilled to be joining Appleyard Lees and contributing to its reputation as a leader in intellectual property law as it continues to expand its service offering. As both a patent attorney and solicitor, I am looking forward to drawing together my varied experience to help our clients successfully navigate the complex intersection of legal, technical and commercial issues that arise in today’s evolving IP landscape.”  Speaking on Arnie’s appointment, Bobby Smithson, Appleyard Lees Managing Partner commented, “Adding Arnie’s rare combination of skills to our team is a significant step forward as the firm continues to grow. This appointment aligns with our strategy to expand our service portfolio and deliver unparalleled expertise to our clients.” Partner and Head of Litigation, Robert Cumming, added, “As the UPC emphasises active case management, English solicitors familiar with IPEC have a unique advantage in serving clients with UPC litigation. I am excited that Arnie’s unique skill set, combining both technical and legal expertise, will boost the firm’s growing capabilities in UPC litigation. “Arnie’s expertise also strengthens our well-established IP litigation team, which includes myself and specialist IP solicitors Chris Hoole, Daniel Bailey and Christopher Thomas. Arnie’s distinct expertise further diversifies our broad-skilled team, recently expanded by the addition of transactional IP specialist, Amrit Jethwa.”