J A Kemp is well placed to advise clients on the entire gamut of patent-related mandates, from drafting and filings, to prosecutions, oppositions, and appeals before the EPO, freedom to operate mandates, and portfolio management, with offices located in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, and Munich. Start-ups and growing businesses, in addition to large corporations and prestigious academic institutions, form the group’s impressive client base, with a geographical spread across the UK, Europe, the US, and Japan. The firm is also increasingly active before the UPC. Senior partner Martin Jackson leads the engineering and IT group, having taken over from Nigel Price following his retirement. Oxford-based Amanda Simons spearheads the chemistry and pharmaceuticals department, and Patrick Campbell heads up the firm’s biotechnology and life sciences practice. Mark Roberts sits at the helm of the medical devices group, while Ravi Srinivasan chairs the pharmaceuticals team and John Leeming steers the software group. Graham Lewis is also of note for his role as head of the Supplementary Protection Certificates group. In team news, the ‘superbly intelligent patent litigator’ John Hornby joined the firm from Lewis Silkin in March 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Big and reliable firm of trade mark and patent attorneys, the special combination of the traditional trade mark and patent agency services with top patent and trade mark solicitors makes it an obvious choice.’
- 'John Hornby is a superbly intelligent patent litigator, with an immense breadth of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Great litigation skills, as he combines having a chemistry degree with starting his legal career as a barrister.’
‘Mark Roberts is my go-to for high stakes EPO opposition work, particularly in the medical device space.’
‘This firm's culture values ingenuity and resourcefulness in dealing with difficult patent and trade mark prosecution and litigation issues. This firm has also consistently been a reliable source of referrals to outstanding attorneys and agents in other jurisdictions.’
‘Mark Roberts stands out with regard to his resourcefulness, responsiveness, and effectiveness in prosecuting patent applications and handling opposition proceedings in the UK and before the European Patent Office.'
‘The team is excellent at life science IP.'
'James Cracknell communicates extremely well and can explain options or complex issues simply and effectively. Work is always delivered on time and to an extremely high standard.’
'J A Kemp is brilliant in their capability to team up for different tasks, to match the task with required and desired skills and expertise. They also fulfil the requirement of flexibility and creativity and are by that capable to deliver very applicable IP products.'
Key clients
- Abbvie
- Almirall
- Amgen
- BASF
- Bicycle Therapeutics
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Cambridge University
- Durect
- Eli Lilly
- Freeline
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Martin Jackson; Amanda Simons; Patrick Campbell; Mark Roberts; Ravi Srinivasan; John Leeming; Graham Lewis; Dominic Forsythe
Other key lawyers
Hermione Thompson; Andreas Theisen; James Cracknell; John Hornby