Venner Shipley LLP’s patents group is well regarded for complex, cross-border work across telecoms, technology and medical devices. The team advises on domestic and international filing and prosecution, EPO oppositions and appeals, and representation before the UPC. In December 2024 the firm combined with AA Thornton, adding IP litigator and department head Geoff Hussey and mechanical specialist Adrian Bennett, among others. Allie Elend leads the chemistry and life sciences team from Cambridge. Jan Walaski heads the Electronics, Software & Communications group and advises several of the firm’s flagship clients. Mechanical engineering is led by Alex Brown, who has particular strength in that field. Managing partner since July 2024, Siân Gill is a name to note, as is the opposition and appeal specialist Tim Russell.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘I have had the opportunity to work with the patents team at Venner Shipley on several matters, and I have consistently been impressed by their ability to combine deep legal expertise with practical, innovative thinking. They are highly responsive, client-focused, and particularly adept at finding pragmatic solutions to complex legal issues.'

  • 'Their hands-on, commercially minded approach makes them a valuable partner, especially in high-stakes or cross-border contexts. They are extremely skilled at navigating multi-jurisdictional disputes and coordinating strategy across different legal systems—always with clarity, precision, and strategic foresight.’

  • ‘I would especially recommend Dan Byrne. He is a brilliant legal expert with a remarkable ability to think outside the box. Dan's science degree also gives him a solid grasp of technical subject matter, which is a real asset in patent cases. Dan is not only technically excellent, but also a pleasure to work with: thoughtful, approachable, and fully committed to achieving the best possible outcomes.’

  • 'Venner Shipley combines UK/EU patent-attorney firepower with in-house litigators under one roof, so the same team can draft, prosecute, oppose, defend and enforce.'

  • 'Dan Byrne - exceptional ability to translate complex molecular biology into courtroom-friendly narratives. He is tactically astute. He maps out multiple litigation pathways (UK, UPC, EPO oppositions) and quantifies risk in business terms. Unflappable, collaborative style that keeps cross-functional teams aligned.'

  • 'Craig Turner - rare depth in carbohydrate chemistry and glycan-based therapeutics. Drafting is surgically precise yet commercially minded. Supremely responsive.'

  • 'Firm covers patent prosecution and litigation. They have deep knowledge about current cases, even if they are not involved actively.'

  • 'My contact always gets back to me quickly with precise answers to my questions. I always get helfpul information beyond that.'

  • 'Dan Byrne, Partner, Barrister & IP litigator. Exceptional ability to translate complex molecular biology into courtroom-friendly narratives. Tactically astute: maps out multiple litigation pathways (UK, UPC, EPO oppositions) and quantifies risk in business terms.'

Key clients

  • AB Agri
  • Aristo Pharma GmbH
  • Biocon Biologics
  • CellmAbs
  • Cipla Limited
  • Dr Reddy Laboratories
  • NatureMetrics
  • Geobrugg AG
  • Novartis
  • Oil States International Inc.
  • Robert Bosch GmbH
  • SUN Pharma
  • Unichem
  • Sanofi
  • The Procter & Gamble Company
  • Zaun Limited
  • No Climb Products Limited

Work highlights

Acting for No Climb Products Limited against Gas Safe Europe Limited in a patent infringement claim in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.
Acting for Betafence against Zaun in a Patents Court case relating to the technical function of a high security fence post.

Practice head

Geoff Hussey

Other key lawyers

Adrian Bennett; Allie Elend; Jan Walaskil Alex Brown; Siân Gill; Tim Russell; Daniel Byrne; Simon Taor; Craig Turner