Patent Attorneys
The Patents Team

Patent Attorneys: Specialist Expertise to Protect your Inventions
Who are Stratagem’s Patent Attorneys?
Need to protect a new invention, secure market exclusivity, or attract investment? Working with a Stratagem expert patent attorney will help innovative businesses like yours turn ideas into commercially valuable assets. From drafting high-impact patent applications to managing complex portfolios, we work with you to secure the protection your invention deserves — and make sure it drives business growth.
Every Stratagem patent attorney combines deep legal expertise with technical backgrounds in chemistry, biotechnology, engineering, or life sciences. That means we understand your innovation — not just from a legal standpoint, but from the inside out. Many of our team have held in-house roles at leading companies, giving them firsthand insight into commercial priorities and the challenges of scaling innovation.
Whether you’re preparing for product launch, seeking funding, or planning an exit strategy, we provide strategic IP advice tailored to your goals. Work with us as a full-service partner or on a project basis — and get the confidence that your patents are not only enforceable but also aligned with your broader business strategy.
Want to see who’s behind your patent protection? Meet our attorneys and explore their sector-specific expertise below.
What Do Patent Attorneys Do?
Patent attorneys do far more than draft applications — they help turn your innovations into long-term business assets. At Stratagem, our patent attorneys work with you from early-stage ideation through to global protection and commercialisation, ensuring your intellectual property supports business growth, investment, and strategic advantage.
Here’s how we support innovative companies like yours:
Patent Discovery & Commercial Assessment – We work directly with R&D teams and technical leads to uncover patentable inventions and evaluate their commercial potential — ensuring that what gets protected contributes to long-term value, not just short-term wins.
Drafting & Filing Patent Applications – Our attorneys craft high-quality, strategically framed patent applications designed to provide the strongest possible protection. Every application is tailored to support licensing potential, investor engagement, and future market flexibility.
Patent Prosecution & Global Filing – We manage interactions with patent offices worldwide, using our technical insight and legal expertise to navigate complex prosecution procedures efficiently and cost-effectively.
IP Strategy Alignment – Your patent strategy should work hand-in-hand with your business goals. We help align filings with funding rounds, exit plans, market entry points, and product development milestones — making sure IP drives commercial outcomes.
Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Analysis – Before launching a product or entering a new market, we help you assess third-party rights and competitor activity — giving you a clear view of risk and opportunity and helping you avoid costly disputes.
Portfolio Management & Renewals – Your patent portfolio should evolve as your business does. We provide proactive management of renewals, deadlines, and filings — helping you focus on growth while we ensure your IP stays current, strategic, and protected.
In-House IP Support & Best Practice – From establishing internal processes to training your teams on invention disclosure, we help businesses build IP awareness and develop strong in-house capabilities — without needing a full-time legal team.
Clear, Strategic Advice – We simplify the complexity. Our commercial mindset ensures your leadership team receives relevant, actionable IP advice that supports faster decisions and stronger positioning.
Cost Management & Budget Forecasting – IP budgets can spiral without control — so we provide transparent forecasting, strategic planning, and cost-effective filing strategies that deliver value without hidden costs.
Team Training & IP Education – We offer customised training sessions that help teams spot, protect, and capitalise on innovation — embedding an IP-conscious culture across your organisation.
Whether you need long-term support or advice on a single project, our patent attorneys are here to help you build, manage, and maximise your IP assets.
Why Patent Attorneys Matter
At Stratagem, our patent attorneys go beyond filing applications — they work as strategic advisors who guide you through the complexities of the patent system. Whether you’re scaling a spin-out, preparing for funding, or entering new markets, we help you make smart, commercially driven IP decisions.
A well-managed patent portfolio can do more than just protect — it can enhance investor confidence, boost negotiation power, and support your route to market. When patents are properly aligned with your business goals, they become assets that support licensing, defend market share, and drive long-term returns.
We also help you reduce risk. Through detailed freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis and competitor patent tracking, we identify potential roadblocks before they become legal threats — so you can move forward with confidence, not uncertainty.
Many of our attorneys have in-house experience, giving them a deep understanding of how patent strategy fits into the broader commercial picture. They provide pragmatic, tailored advice to help you choose the best route forward — whether that means filing a patent or keeping your innovation confidential through trade secrets.
With Stratagem, you get more than legal advice — you get a partner who understands your growth journey and helps your IP deliver real-world results.
Victoria Hufton
Head of Physical Sciences
Sian Billson
Head of Life Sciences
Annabel Hampshire
Head of Patent Practice
Sarah Grant
Principal Patent Attorney
Catherine Lovell
Senior Attorney
Nicholas Acham
Senior Attorney
Matthew Rodgers
Senior Attorney
Richard Frith
Senior Attorney
Michael Blake
Senior Attorney
Diana D’Arcy
Managing Attorney
Sophy Denny
Managing Attorney
Sarah Massara
Patent Attorney
Oliver Leason
Patent Attorney
Jennifer Rossell
Patent Attorney
Richard Murrell
Patent Attorney
Sam Piper
Part-Qualified Patent Attorney
James Sharley
Part-Qualified Patent Attorney
Hannah Kembery
Part-Qualified Patent Attorney
Can I Recommend Your Team to a Colleague?
Absolutely — and we’d be delighted. Many of our new relationships begin through referrals, and we take great pride in earning the trust of those we work with. If you know a colleague, partner, or fellow business leader who could benefit from strategic trade mark advice, we’d be happy to help them protect and grow their brand with confidence.
Download Our Handy Fact Sheets
Need a quick reference? Our fact sheets offer clear, practical overviews of our core services: IP strategy, patents, trade marks, and legal support. They’re ideal for sharing with your wider team or keeping close when planning your next steps.
FAQs about Patent Attorneys
How do patent attorneys understand my invention’s technology?
This technical foundation allows us to quickly grasp complex inventions and translate them into commercially strong IP strategies. We match you with attorneys who have direct experience in your field — whether that’s pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, or engineering — and for interdisciplinary technologies, we assemble a cross-sector team to provide strategic, focused support.
With Stratagem, you don’t have to explain your invention from scratch — we speak your language, and we know how to protect what makes your technology unique.
What qualifications do you need to become a Patent Attorney?
To become a patent attorney in the UK, you’ll need a STEM (science, technology, engineering or maths) degree, followed by extensive on-the-job training and success in a series of professional exams. Patent attorneys typically qualify as both UK and European Patent Attorneys, enabling them to advise on IP strategy across multiple jurisdictions.
At Stratagem, every member of our patent team has a strong technical background and dual qualifications. This ensures that our clients receive not only legally sound advice but commercially focused IP strategies tailored to their innovation and growth goals.
Learn more about the qualification process on the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) website.
What does a typical career path look like for a Patent Attorney?
Patent attorneys often begin their careers in science or engineering, gaining deep technical expertise before moving into intellectual property law. This background enables them to understand complex innovations and provide practical, commercially focused legal advice.
Attorneys can work in-house or for a private practice firm, representing multiple clients, typically in the technical area in which they specialise. Ongoing training and staying ahead of evolving case law is essential, but just as important is the ability to turn a deep understanding of patent law into practical business-focused advice, whether it be in relation to a patent portfolio, IP aspects of an Agreement or providing clear guidance about IP risk mitigation strategies.
At Stratagem, many of our senior attorneys have worked in-house as well as in private practice, giving them a unique perspective on how IP decisions affect day-to-day business operations.
When should I speak to a Patent Attorney about my invention?
Speak to a patent attorney before publicly disclosing your invention. Patent protection depends on novelty — so if your idea is shared too early, even in a pitch or on a website, you could lose the chance to secure it.
At Stratagem, we help you navigate this critical early stage. Whether you’re developing your first innovation or managing a complex IP portfolio, we tailor our advice to fit your commercial timeline, funding milestones, and international ambitions. We’ll assess whether a patent is the right route — and if not, we’ll explore trade secrets, staged filings, or alternative IP strategies to give you the strongest competitive position.
How can patents support my business growth?
At Stratagem, we develop patent strategies that are aligned with your business roadmap. Whether you’re scaling, entering new markets, or preparing for a funding round, we ensure your IP isn’t just a legal asset — it’s a growth engine.
Let’s Talk About Protecting Your Innovation
Ready to secure your invention and build a stronger IP strategy? Our expert patent attorneys are here to help. Whether you’re filing your first patent, managing a growing portfolio, or exploring how IP can fuel business growth, we provide clear, commercially driven advice that puts your goals first.
Tel: +44 (0)1223 550740