Forresters

Firm overview:

Forresters offers commercially-grounded advice on patent matters to an international client base.

The full-service IP firm has particular strengths in industries including life sciences, cleantech, engineering and automotive, working with clients ranging from lone inventors to multinational companies. Clients value its ability to turn complex scientific issues into practical patent strategies, while the team’s strength in European Patent Office (EPO) oppositions further reinforces its place among the top UK firms for patent work.

Says a client: “ I have been consistently impressed by Forresters IP LLP as a firm. In particular, their renewals department is exceptionally diligent. They continue to follow up as renewal deadlines approach to ensure that instructions are received, rather than relying solely on reminders sent well in advance. This has been a significant improvement on my previous experience with another patent firm. Forresters' proactive approach has given me confidence that my patent portfolio is being managed with great care and attention to detail.”

Adds another client: “The firm strikes an "excellent balance between deep technical understanding and strategic commercial insight and is our preferred and primary partner for UK patent matters due to the consistency, depth of support, and practical expertise they provide.”

Team overview:

Andy Harding and Charlotte Teall are important figures within the firm’s patents offering, with particular strengths across engineering, advanced technologies, and life sciences. Harding focuses his practice on drafting and prosecuting patent and design applications in the UK, Europe and worldwide.

An international referral lawyer describes Andy Harding and Rupert Knights as “a great team.” Adding: “They make sure a plan is in place that permits partners to take (well deserved) leave while not dropping the ball or the client relationship."

A client adds of Knights: “I have worked with several patent attorneys at different firms, and Rupert stands out as the most honest, practical, and trustworthy professional I have worked with. His advice has consistently been clear, commercially focused, and practical.”

As well as patent prosecution, Charlotte Teall represents clients before the European Patent Office and assists with securing supplementary protection certificate (SPC) protection. Says an international referral lawyer: “Charlotte is extraordinarily knowledgeable in SPC law and has impressed me time and again with her strategic approach and creative ideas.”

Charlotte Sunderland has a wide European and UK prosecution practice helping her clients build patent portfolios. She also carries out original drafting work. A client describes Sunderland as a "true partner" who goes "beyond merely being responsive, to being proactive and a trusted advisor". The client appreciates her willingness to give “the advice needed rather than just what the client wants to hear.” Sunderland is also active on contentious work and has handled a large number of oppositions at the EPO.

Clients describe Tim Ashton as "very knowledgeable and straight-talking." Ashton focuses on UK and EPO drafting and prosecution of patent applications and trade mark and design work at the UK IPO and EUIPO.

Dr. Nick Palmer is described as "an excellent practitioner who shows commitment, excellent communication and intellectual rigour.” Palmer is involved in all aspects of obtaining patent and design protection for his clients. Much of his work involves working with designers and engineering teams to review and update their product designs to avoid legal issues arising.

Senior associate Kate Wilson represents clients at the UK Intellectual Property Office and European Patent Office on a wide range of biotechnology & pharmaceutical matters. Says a client on Wilson’s non-contentious work that “her expertise in medical diagnostics, strategic IP positioning, and commercially grounded advice has been instrumental to our innovation efforts.”

Key matters:

• Carbon Clean: Patent prosecution and filing

Forresters has assisted Carbon Clean, an innovation leader in point source carbon capture, in securing patent protection for carbon capture solvent compositions and methods for carbon dioxide recovery.

• AbbVie: European patent prosecution

Amongst other areas, the team manages European patent prosecution matters related to AbbVie’s Rinvoq drug, which treats a variety of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

• BiSN: Patent filing and prosecution

Forresters handles IP matters for downhole oil and gas company BiSN, which continues to expand its global operations, and has filed patent applications in key territories.

Clients:

AbbVie, BiSN, Brompton Bicycle, Carbon Clean, Cardiol Therapeutics, Sezanne Marine