Appleyard Lees

Appleyard Lees is recommended for IP protection and portfolio management. It is one of the traditional patent and trade mark attorney firms in the UK that has a litigation practice. The firm has European patent attorneys in technical fields such as biotechnology, chemistry, and computer technology. The leading patent attorneys include Richard Bray, Dick Waddington, Bobby Smithson, Simon Bradbury, Julia Gwilt, Ean Davies, Barbara Fleck, and David Walsh. Waddington serves as managing partner. Parminder Lally, Chris Mason, and James Myatt are the patent practitioners to watch.

Trade mark prosecution are handled by dual-qualified patent and trade mark attorneys like David Moy, Graham Johnson and Paul Brandon. IP disputes are led by senior lawyers such as Robert Cumming. They are supported by a multidisciplinary team of patent and trade mark attorneys. Chris Hoole is a lawyer to watch. The lawyers also deal with trade mark strategy and prosecution.

2023

"They are straightforward to work with and experts in their field."

"We appreciate that they have always kept us informed on all the transactions and issues related to our trademarks."

"We value the team's quick response and good quality. The people are professional, funny and easy to communicate with."

"They are responsive, knowledgeable, good strategists and cost-effective."

"They are always available and add so much technical advice, particularly regarding inventive steps and other innovative ideas, which build a stronger framework around any patent application."

2021 client testimonials              

A patent client appreciates the firm’s “dedicated team” and “fast adaptation to new technology areas”

Another client said the firm’s practitioners demonstrated “attention to detail” and its “tight deadlines were met with great efficiency”.

Patent case studies show prosecution and office proceedings work in different sectors. Clients include Owlstone Medical, Clasado Biosciences, Benevolent AI, and Aberystwyth University. The firm also advised companies such as DName-iT NV and UP Global Sourcing UK on patent disputes. European patent attorney Howard Read left the firm in 2024 to join an IP firm in Norway.