Chris Mason, Partner
MSci (Hons) LLM MRSC CPA EPA
Chris is an experienced patent attorney operating over a wide range of fields including chemistry, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and medical devices. Chris is particularly experienced working directly with companies to design and implement patent filing strategies that align with the commercial objectives of the business.
Chris often comes across green innovation in the little things. It may be a reduction in the energy required for a manufacturing process, innovations that allow for a greater use of recycled feedstock, or a new material with improved degradability. Regulatory pressures are a significant driver in many of these green developments, and there is now also a clear focus amongst many companies toward product life cycle sustainability. Outside of the iterative improvements, Chris is also working with clients striving to establish whole new green industries, with the promise of radical changes to come.
David Walsh, Partner
BSc PhD CChem CSci MRSC CPA EPA MITMA
David is a partner at Appleyard Lees and has been in the patent profession for nearly thirty years. Much of that time has been spent drafting, prosecuting, and advising clients in relation to patents for chemical innovations. He has extensive experience in FTO reviews, patentability advice, IP agreements and patent oppositions at the EPO. His experience in green technology has included non-toxic marine coatings, carbon capture technology and non-fossil fuel-based monomer routes.
David's interest in green technology and the environment began at University where his PhD work included identifying potential carbonaceous absorbents for chlorofluorocarbons which were in the process of being phased out due to the discovery of the growing hole in the ozone layer. Since qualifying as a patent attorney in 1997 he has worked with leading clients on a range of replacement technologies which address specific environmental problems such as the impact of tin compounds on marine organisms, lower energy monomer production, bio-based monomers, polymers and compositions that remove carbon dioxide, biodegradable materials and fuel cell improvements.
Adam Tindall, Partner
BEng (Hons) PhD CPA EPA
Prior to entering the intellectual property (IP) profession, Adam completed his PhD on combustion in spark ignition engines at the University of Leeds.
Having previously worked with Rolls-Royce plc, the Ford Motor Company, Harland and Wolff and Shell Research UK, Adam’s expertise lies in the understanding of engineering, the way engineering companies operate and how engineers like to work.
Adam now provides IP services to multi-national engineering companies which produce a large range of high technology products such as power systems, medical equipment and manufacturing equipment.
Paul Beynon, Partner
MEng CPA EPA
Paul’s strong engineering background and in-house experience makes him well-positioned to offer clients commercially sensible, tailored support. Paul works with a range of start-ups and SMEs to maximise the value of their IP. Paul handles many inventions related to green technology, including improved engines, thermodynamic cycles, environmental innovations and the like. Green technology is one of Paul’s passions and he thoroughly enjoys being able to work with innovative companies in this field.
Sarah Gibbs, Senior Associate
BSc PhD EPA CPA MRSC
Sarah helps clients protect their inventions in both the chemical and biochemical fields. As a result of working with a wide variety of clients in these sectors, she has experience and understanding of the challenges faced by different companies. Sarah has particular experience in polymer chemistry, coatings, plastics and catalysis as well as pharmaceuticals, APIs, molecular diagnostics, medical devices and biotechnology due to her background in both chemistry and biochemistry.
James Myatt, Senior Associate
PGDip MChem PhD MRSC EPA CPA
James is a UK and European patent attorney who handles a diverse portfolio of international patent applications for SME clients in the chemistry and materials fields.
Before joining Appleyard Lees, James worked in pharmaceuticals research for six years, gaining expertise in organic synthesis and drug design and was a named inventor on several patent applications resulting from this work.
James is also part of several teams providing intellectual property (IP) services to our multi-national corporate clients.
He provides freedom-to-operate analysis, patentability assessments and patent drafting, and manages the prosecution of patent applications through to grant.
Alice Smart, Associate
BSc PhD
Alice has a wide range of technical experience working in large pharmaceutical companies and smaller start-up firms enabling her to work on patent applications from diverse technologies. Working closely with clients has enabled her to tailor her approach to each client’s individual needs.
From her experience with small, medium and large biotech and life science companies, Alice has gained an in-depth knowledge of every stage of the patent process. She has worked with clients specialising in prebiotics, probiotics, biomarkers and genetic engineering
Alice drafts and prosecutes patent applications for biotechnological inventions and has also been involved in oppositions concerning generic pharmaceuticals and has worked on both European and international plant variety filings.
Matthew Bennett, Associate
PhD DIC MPhys (Hons)
Matthew has a broad ranging technological background covering physics, electrical engineering, and software development. He now puts that knowledge base to use advising clients across a variety of disciplines on the full range of pre and post grant patent services from drafting to litigation.
Matthew works with a variety of clients including SMEs, universities, and government organisations, tailoring his work approach to meet their specific needs. Matthew is an expert in preparing and prosecuting patents for nuclear fusion (and ancillary) technologies, and also a specialist in software patents, including patenting artificial intelligence-based technologies.
David Jasiewicz, Associate
MChem AMRSC
David spent three years as a technical assistant in a Japanese patent law firm prior to joining Appleyard Lees. This experience, alongside a solid grasp of French and German, allows David to assist clients with international aspects of their intellectual property as well as their domestic needs.
David works with clients including large and small chemical manufacturers, universities, and start-ups. He has a particular interest in the field of novel materials, coatings, and pharmaceuticals.
David is involved with patent prosecution from inception through to post-grant proceedings. In particular, David has experience drafting new patent applications for clients and assisting with contentious issues such as oppositions before the European Patent Office.
David graduated with a Masters in Chemistry from Durham University which included a six month research project on molecular magnets at the University of Tokyo.
Thomas Measures, Patent Attorney
MEng
Tom spent four years at an IP firm located in the Midlands before joining Appleyard Lees. Prior to that, he served as a technical lead in the computer software industry. In that role, he contributed to the development of technologies aimed at enhancing sports officiating, including differential imaging and audio detection. Tom holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Bath and was awarded the 2022 Mark Higgins prize for the candidate passing the UK’s design and copyright law exam with the highest mark.
Amelia Barton, Patent Attorney
MChem EPA
Graduating with a first class masters degree in medicinal chemistry from the University of Leeds, her work has included a project focused on manipulating a proteins intracellular localisation using a small chemically synthesised compound.
Since joining the intellectual property (IP) profession, Amelia has gained experience in all areas of patenting. She reviews the patentability of inventions, as well as drafts, files and prosecutes patent applications.
Ashley Wragg, Patent Attorney
MChem PhD EPA
Ashley works with a range of clients from across the world and has extensive experience in drafting and prosecution of patent applications covering a broad range of subject matters in chemistry and materials, and life sciences.
His main areas of specialism include polymers and coatings, industrial catalyses and processes, agrochemicals, and green chemistry.
Ashley also has an avid interest in the environment and therefore any related green and sustainable technologies. Whether that be incremental improvements of processes, new materials or greener alternatives such as plant-based meats.
He has obtained a first-class degree in Chemistry and completed his PhD in a joint project between the University of Sheffield and the A* STAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering in Singapore. Ashley has a diverse background including in bio-inorganic chemistry, cancer therapeutics and material chemistry.
Alia Tayer, European Patent Attorney
MEng
Alia’s experience of working with a range of clients in the UK and abroad allows her to consider problems from different angles. Alia has gained extensive experience in the drafting and prosecution of patent applications and supported various senior attorneys in preparing oppositions, evaluating infringement risk and resolving questions of inventorship. Her daily practice includes filing and prosecuting patent applications for a variety of clients, including multinational corporations and individual inventors, across a range of engineering technologies. These include manufacturing processes, mechanical devices, and laser-based technology.
Emily Bevan-Smith, European Patent Attorney
MChem AMRSC
Emily works with a range of clients in the chemical and medical industries to secure and maintain protection of their IP. Emily is experienced in assessing patentability, as well as drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
Emily graduated with a first class Master of Chemistry degree with Honours from Cardiff University. Emily’s studies gave her a broad insight into various chemical processes and technologies. Her research included developing synthetic models of the oxygen-evolving metal cluster found in green plants and subsequently developing routes toward them. Emily also carried out research to develop tunable routes to psuedoguaianolide terpenoid natural products and their analogues as an intern at the University of Florida.
Emily’s experience both within the intellectual property profession and academia has afforded her to understand and accommodate clients’ needs, enabling her to provide a dynamic and adaptable service.
Holly Redman, Trainee Patent Attorney
PhD
Holly’s broad experience in academic and industrial research, spanning chemistry and biophysics, helps her to understand and protect her client’s innovations. Holly holds a masters in chemistry from the University of Sheffield, during which time she spent a year working in industry for a large agrochemical company in Germany. Following this, Holly completed a PhD in Molecular Biomimetics at Uppsala University, Sweden, specialising in bioinspired molecular electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, contributing to 12 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Before joining Appleyard Lees, Holly worked in a med-tech start-up developing methods of analysing compounds on breath.
Kealan Fallon, Trainee Patent Attorney
MSci PhD MRSC
With a background spanning chemistry, physics, and engineering, Kealan has a deep appreciation of the challenges and opportunities within interdisciplinary research environments. His broad experience helps him to understand and protect his client’s innovations. Kealan works over a wide range of subject matter in the chemical and electronics industries, from polymers and speciality chemicals to scientific equipment and photonic technologies. Under the guidance of experienced patent attorneys, Kealan is looking forward to training towards qualification and expanding his remit of working with universities and spin-out companies to assisting SMEs and large multinational corporations.
Oliver Herd, Trainee Patent Attorney
MSc, PhD
Oliver’s experience in intellectual property and his scientific background in academia and industry enables him to understand the priorities of his clients. Oliver studied medical biochemistry at the University of Manchester, after which he completed a PhD at the University of York and a postdoctoral position at Imperial College London. His academic background is interdisciplinary, having worked in the immunology, haematology, stem cell and oncology related fields. Oliver’s academic research has been published and presented internationally. He also has experience in industry, having worked for a major pharmaceutical company and in antibody manufacturing.
Oliver Manners, Trainee Patent Attorney
MSci, BA
Oliver is a trainee patent attorney, working in the Manchester chemistry team. His interdisciplinary background helps him to understand the challenges and rewards of working at the interfaces between traditional disciplines. Oliver is training to draft and prosecute patent applications for chemical inventions, with a particular interest in bioinorganic chemistry, catalysis and supramolecular chemistry. Always keen to learn about cutting-edge scientific advances, he is excited to hear about clients’ innovations and to help protect them.