Barker Brettell

Firm overview:

Founded in 1891 and headquartered in Birmingham, Barker Brettell is one of the largest IP firms in the UK. With over 70 IP professionals, the firm advises a diverse client base, from startups and academic spin-outs to major multinational corporations across a wide range of industries.

The firm has a distinguished non-contentious patents practice, supporting clients across multiple sectors including aerospace, automotive, cosmetics, software, energy, FMCG, and medical technology. Attorneys regularly advise on filing strategy, portfolio management, and patent prosecution. Barker Brettell is a leading UK filer and is qualified to represent clients before the Unified Patent Court (UPC).

On the contentious side, Barker Brettell represents clients in European Patent Office (EPO) oppositions and appeals, disputes before the UK Intellectual Property Office and UK courts, and patent-related commercial matters. Several attorneys have in-house expertise or have undertaken secondments. The team is active across a range of technical fields and represents clients in all manner of patent disputes.

Team overview:

The patent team includes attorneys with sector-specific expertise in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and energy. Barker Brettell has three UK offices in Birmingham, London and Southampton, and two in Sweden underpinning its European presence, in Stockholm and Uppsala.

Senior partner John Lawrence, also head of the aerospace sector and head of corporate IP support and outsourcing, is “superbly bright”, according to a peer. “His ability to see where the commercial points are, where the strategy lies, is fantastic”. Lawrence has deep and varied expertise in writing and prosecuting patents in advanced engineering, aerospace, medical devices and other technology areas, and over three decades of experience as a patent attorney.

Yvonne Johnson, who became managing partner in 2024, has a formidable track record for success in oppositions and appeals, with her main focus areas being chemistry and life sciences as well as ‘green’ innovations. Johnson fosters strong relationships with clients and is well placed for her new leadership role, with over 20 years’ experience in the profession.

Alan Wilson, a partner and head of the Southampton office, has over 30 years of experience in patent drafting and prosecution. He has advised universities, spin-outs, and multinationals across imaging systems, medical devices, automotive engineering, and semiconductors. Wilson’s work primarily involves direct clients, managing patent applications from drafting and filing through to grant in multiple jurisdictions, and advising on patent portfolio management.

Key matters:

• Patent prosecution and portfolio management—Oxford University Innovation

Barker Brettell managed patent filing and prosecution for Oxford University Innovation, supporting the development and protection of patent portfolios in life sciences and engineering.

• Patent strategy and IP portfolio development—Flowgem

The firm advised Flowgem from concept stage through to its sale to a FTSE 100 company, helping to develop a patent and design portfolio that supported the commercial value of its leak detection technology (EP 3067671 A1).

• Patent prosecution and portfolio management—Raytheon

Represented Raytheon in a series of oral proceedings before the EPO Technical Boards of Appeal concerning high performance computing patents (EP application no. 05252239.8). Successfully overturned one rejection and strategically navigated another through prosecution of alternative claims, despite complex legal challenges.

• EPO opposition and appeal—Wilson Wolf

The firm represented the client before the EPO Boards of Appeal, defending the European patent (EP 3049515) against opposition based on inventive steps and added matter grounds. This involved managing oral proceedings and comprehensive submissions that preserved the patent’s validity.

Clients:

Oxford University Innovation, Flowgem, Raytheon, Wilson Wolf