BARKER BRETTELL - Key Persons
Abas is a trainee patent attorney working with clients including individuals, university innovation teams and spinouts, SMEs and global corporations. His background in physics enables him to advise clients in a number of fields including computing & software, photon science, electrical and electronic engineering, sensors, mechanical engineering and robotics.
Before joining Barker Brettell, Abas completed a PhD in photon science at the University of Manchester, building on an MPhys project on theoretical studies of 2D quantum heterostructures. He subsequently worked as a research associate in the emerging field of terahertz scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy.
Experience:
Helped with the prosecution of multiple patent applications through to grant
Alan is a patent attorney and partner with over 30 years' experience. Most of his work is for direct clients so he has huge experience of taking applications from initial drafting and filing through to grant in several countries, and advising on patent portfolio management.
Alan's technical specialisms include: imaging systems, both security scanners and medical imaging including: X-ray scanning, ultrasound, MRI, and optical imaging; biomedical engineering, including: prosthetic joints, surgical guidance systems and robots, and rehabilitation devices; mechanical engineering including automotive engineering; electronics and semiconductor devices; and physics and engineering more generally.
Experience:
Prepared and filed a series of patent applications relating to real-time X-ray video imaging for a university spin-out company which was subsequently bought by a large US organisation. Having impressed them, Alan and his team now handle all of the new owner's non-US patent work
Prepared and filed a series of patent applications relating to ultrasound imaging for an Oxford academic who then awarded Alan all the patent work for a separate spin-out company that is developing organ perfusion systems
Alice is a Trade Mark Attorney with over six years of intellectual property experience. Alice has experience in all areas of trade mark work including both contentious and non-contentious matters.
Alice works with a wide range of clients, from startups and SMEs to large global corporates, across a variety of industries, from food and drink to engineering and many others in between.
Experience:
Industry placement year within the intellectual property team at an international conglomerate company
Amy's technical background is in physics. During her career, she is acquired a wide range of technological expertise across the computing and engineering fields. Her areas of expertise include computer modelling and simulation, encryption and authentication systems, industrial control systems, machine learning, web-based applications and content delivery, and consumer electronics with particular emphasis on user interfaces, display technology and battery technology.
Amy's experience in software and computer-implemented innovation has allowed her to provide opinions on software patentability for the UK and Europe. Her experience encompasses freedom-to-operate projects, validity opinions, portfolio management and prosecution strategy, patent transactions, competitor monitoring and patent enforcement.
Experience:
Prepared and progressed an opposition to a computer-implemented design optimisation patent for a multi-national oil and gas company
Amy is a trainee patent attorney who recently graduated from the University of Nottingham obtaining a first-class master's degree in Physics. During her four years at Nottingham, she studied a wide range of topics including astrophysics, medical physics, computing, quantum mechanics and nanoscience.
Since joining Barker Brettell, Amy has gained experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications within a wide range of technology areas, including AI, Software, Fintech and Medical Devices.
Experience:
Undertook a master's project in electrospray ionisation which involved the design, construction, and testing of electrospray emitters for use in mass spectrometry and thin film atom deposition
Researched the effects of varying emitter geometry and other physical properties on the efficiency of the electrospray emitter and the electrospray ionisation process. Her findings have furthered the university department's electrospray ionisation techniques and will be used in many areas of their research
Undertook a computational research project exploring galaxy cluster formation and evolution using data collected from the Dark Energy Survey
Working with a wide range of clients to help prosecute and draft patent applications. Amy has already been exposed to drafting European patent applications in the AI and software space. She also has been involved in helping to prepare non-infringement and validity opinions for clients
Qualifications:
MSci (Hons) Physics
Ana is a European Patent Attorney with eight years' of experience. Her background in chemistry means that she is able to work with clients in a broad field of technologies including, nanoparticles, pigments, polymers, colloid chemistry, small molecule inhibitors, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
She has experience of patent drafting and prosecution as well as EPO oppositions and infringement opinions.
Experience:
Seven years industrial and academic R&D experience. Holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Bristol and a year of post-doctoral in the fields of colloidal chemistry, surfactants, SANS and nanoparticles and having over ten papers published in high-ranking chemistry journals. Extensive experience in nanoparticles, fillers and pigments for a wide range of applications gained while working for a major multi-national
Andrew has worked with a diverse range of clients, from start-ups to large global corporates. His degree in Physics means he is able to help clients across a variety of technical areas. Andrew has experience in overcoming objections against patent applications, and he has helped advise clients on how to continue with their patent applications.
Experience:
Researched the characteristic frequencies of the radio waves emitted by corona during thunderstorms to help Biral with developing thunderstorm detection equipment.
Andy specialises in cases involving electronics, engineering and software. His background in engineering means he has specialist experience in, and a passion for the field of automotive electronics, particularly power steering systems.
Andy heads the firm's Automotive Sector group and has been Managing Partner since 2018. He regularly works with large multi-national companies within the defence, infrastructure and transport industries to provide advice on patent portfolio management and strategy.
Experience:
Advising a Tier 1 OEM automotive supplier including drafting over 300 patent families through to grant in Europe and other key territories such as US, Japan, China and Brazil
Carrie's background in physics means she is well placed to help clients in the fields of electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, materials, information technology, telecommunications and software. She has a wealth of experience advising clients on robust IP protection and strategies.
Her technical specialisms include data analysis and processing, computer implemented inventions, software, pneumatic systems, consumer products, medical devices, energy production and harvesting systems.
Carrie works closely with a large number of universities and is the principal contact for a multi-party framework agreement. She heads the firm's Computing & Software group, and is also an experienced designs rights expert and leads the Designs team.
Experience:
Provides strategic and pragmatic advice on IP protection to a prestigious college in London, and sits on their selection panel for deciding on financial support for commercially viable patentable ideas
Catherine has a wealth of experience advising clients on a wide range of trade mark matters including global portfolio management, freedom to use and the registrability of trade marks, as well as filing and prosecuting trade mark applications around the world. She is an excellent negotiator and adept at managing conflict matters. She is also the head of the Trade Mark practice and leads a large number of attorneys.
Catherine's client portfolio includes UK, EU and global clients amongst which she's built a formidable reputation for being "pragmatic, commercially astute and a pleasure to work with." One client commented "Wiseman is an impressive character. Measured, careful and calculated, she doesn't miss a trick."
She is a regular attendee at INTA and MARQUES and an elected member of the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) Council, helping to shape the UK profession. As part of the role, she is also on the CITMA Paralegal Committee and currently serves on the Representative Advisory and Working Groups. Catherine is also part of the UKIPO Transformation Programme Critical Friends Group - contributing to the working of the digitalisation and harmonisation of the UKIPO's services.
Experience:
Developing and implementing a comprehensive and cost-effective filing and searching international strategy for two biotechnology clients and associated enforcement work
Lead partner on the portfolio of the IMI Group of companies
Cecilia started her career in intellectual property at the Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV) but has since spent a number of years working as a patent attorney and patent information specialist in various private practices in Sweden. She has worked with individuals, universities, SMEs and international corporations on a range of matters, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications, providing infringement opinions and carrying out IP audits.
Before deciding to pursue a career in intellectual property, Cecilia worked on a number of large infrastructure projects, as well as with CAD and BIM.
Cecilia works in a large variety of technical fields, such as e.g., mechanics, mechatronics, physics and telecommunications.
Experience:
Four years of experience working in private practice in Sweden
David works with a wide range of clients from small start-up companies and individuals, through to larger SMEs and multinational corporates. David's background is in materials engineering and he has a wealth of experience working within the medical sector, specifically with medical devices.
Experience:
Successfully defending a number of European patents for major international companies against opposition attacks
Job Titles:
- Trainee Trade Mark Attorney
Job Titles:
- IP Paralegal, Office Co - Ordinator
Eva-Marie Ek is an experienced IP Paralegal and works in close collaboration with our attorneys. She is specialised in patent and trademark prosecution, including co-ordinating and managing simultaneous patent filings worldwide, assignment matters and other formalities. Eva-Marie has been in the IP profession since 2005, and has been working with Barker Brettell Sweden AB since 2020.
Experience:
• Worldwide experience in IP formalities in different sectors
• Has completed the course "Advanced training for patent assistants" at the IP Academy
Job Titles:
- UK and European Patent Attorney
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner - Swedish & European Patent Attorney
Job Titles:
- Trainee Trade Mark Attorney
Joe is a trainee trade mark attorney who recently spent a year working at a family law paralegal, gaining experience in the legal industry, advising clients and attending court. Previously, Joe graduated with a first class degree from Aston University in Law. His final year dissertation focused on how the national and international intellectual property system can help promote innovation and growth, specifically in the UK.
Experience:
Instrumental in conducting extensive clearance work for a client's seasonal offerings in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for a leading global pharmaceutical health and beauty retailer
Job Titles:
- Associate, Trade Mark and Design Attorney
Linn is a Swedish lawyer specialising in intellectual property law and has 16 years' attorney experience. Linn focuses mainly on trade mark law and is an authorised European trade mark and design attorney and Swedish intellectual property attorney. Linn has extensive experience in advising clients on local and international trademark protection and works with all areas of trademark law, including registrability advice, clearance searches, oppositions and cancellation actions, portfolio management and strategic advice.
She works with a large range of clients but has particular expertise in the food and beverage, tobacco, information technology and medical sectors.
Experience:
Managing a global trade mark portfolios for international corporate companies
Job Titles:
- Partner, Trade Mark and Design Attorney
Louis is a highly experienced trade mark attorney and partner, advising clients across the full spectrum of trade mark services, including the availability and adoption of new trade marks, attending to the registration of marks both nationally and internationally, and assisting with the enforcement of registered and unregistered rights. He is an experienced negotiator, securing the best settlements for his clients and a specialist in Customs Applications for Action.
Louis advises a broad range of clients and has particular experience in the automotive industry, where he advised London EV Company on the protection of rights relating to its electric vehicles. He also has wide experience in the Food & Drinks industry.
Experience:
Successfully appealing an EUIPO decision to reject an application for a greetings cards client because the mark was considered contrary to "accepted principles of morality." This is now a key decision on this point of law and quoted in legal textbooks
Job Titles:
- Partner, Swedish & European Patent Attorney, European Patent Litigator
Job Titles:
- Partner, Trade Mark and Design Attorney
Job Titles:
- Trainee Trade Mark Attorney
William Duncan joined the firm which changed its name to Barker, Brettell and Duncan, with each member serving as President of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA).