The group at Venner Shipley LLP is well-regarded for its work handling the remit of complex patent matters for clients spanning sectors including telecoms, tech and medical devices, amongst many others. It handles patent filing and prosecution matters in both domestic and cross-jurisdictional contexts, in addition to advising on the plethora of patent-related issues. Further, the team frequently acts for clients in EPO opposition and appeal matters and on European disputes before the UPC. In December 2024, the team notably merged with former firm AA Thornton, which led to the arrivals of IP litigator Geoff Hussey and Cambridge-based Allie Elend who is a UPC representative and specialist in chemistry and life sciences-related patent work. The pair newly co-lead the group alongside Jan Walaski and Alex Brown. Walaski advises some of the team’s best-known clients, while Brown has particular capabilities in mechanical engineering cases. The firm’s managing partner as of July 2024 Siân Gill is a name to note, as are Cambridge-based opposition and appeal work specialist Tim Russell and Adrian Bennett.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Craig Turner is outstanding in all aspects of patent work. The quality of their professional input is second-to-none and business is conducted in an efficient and professional but also a friendly manner. It is a pleasure to work with them. No other team I work with are even close to this team with regard to the level of professional service provided.’
‘Nikesh Patel is a pillar of reliability. In our years of working with him, there has been no lack of communication and no lapse in quality.’
‘Anwar Gilani is extremely knowledgeable in our areas of focus, providing valuable advice that guides our filing and prosecution strategies.’
‘Allie Elend has been very helpful and made a superb effort in understanding our portfolio and IP strategy.’
‘Robert Sayer is an outstanding talent. Able to grasp and define technical concepts and differentiators quickly and efficiently. His tenacity, client-facing skills and ability to interpret patent office communications are excellent.’
‘I work with Tim Russell, Nick Barrow, and Alex Brown and I will say they are indeed an excellent team. We know each other well, which is important. They know what our clients and we need.’
‘Nick South has gone way beyond our expectations in his responsiveness, guidance, professionalism, and we would have no qualms in recommending him to anybody exploring IPR. It's been a privilege to work with Nick, and we hope to continue for many years to come.’
‘Marianne Privett has given us expert guidance in complex and contentious matters across our diverse patent portfolio. Marianne's care and attention-to-detail and desire for the best possible outcome for our business is exceptional. Marianne has taken the time to really understand our business needs, vision, and product portfolio and so her advice always couples legal expertise with commercial awareness.’
'The team that I work with, led by Dr. Craig Turner, is outstanding in all aspects of patent work. The quality of their professional input is second to none, and business is conducted in an efficient and professional - but also a friendly - manner. It is a pleasure to work with them.'
'Dr. Craig Turner is my main contact person. He is an exceptional attorney, highly skilled in all aspects of his profession (including oral advocacy, a field in which patent attorneys are often relatively unskilled). He is also very pleasant to work with.'
Key clients
- AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)
- British American Tobacco (BAT)
- Nicoventures
- BYD
- Chevron Phillips Company LP
- CIPLA Limited
- Dentsply Sirona
- Estee Lauder
- Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Ipsen
- Nokia
- Novartis
- The |Procter & Gamble Company
- Robert Bosch
- Hoffman-La Roche
- Samsung Group
- Sanofi
- Shark|N|inja
- Tate & Lyle Plc
- Viatris
Work highlights
Advising Sanofi on European patent prosecution, opposition, freedom to operate and filing registered designs.
Advises BYD on European patent applications, as well as UK and European design applications.
Advises Estée Lauder on European patent prosecution, ensuring the protection of its cutting-edge beauty technologies.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Jan Walaski; Alex Brown; Allie Elend; Geoff Hussey
Other key lawyers
Craig Turner; Leonita Paulraj; Nikesh Patel; Tim Russell; Nick Barrow; Anwar Gilani; Allie Elend; Anton Hutter; Robert Sayer; Nick South; Marianne Privett; Caroline Allen; Siân Gill; Paul Derry; Simon Taor; Emma Longland; Adrian Bennett