Andie has experience in drafting and prosecuting applications in the UK and Europe. She has worked with clients from a broad range of sectors including semi-conductor devices, medical devices, software and telecommunications.

Education & background

Andie graduated from the University of St Andrews with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics. Her final year project involved developing a coding platform with applications in nuclear and particle physics.

During her time at university, Andie conducted and presented research in the areas of quantum theory, condensed matter physics and scanning tunnelling microscopy.

Phoebe joined Withers & Rogers in January 2019 and is based in our Warwick office. She has experience in patent drafting, prosecution and opposition, and has worked for clients in the automotive, aerospace, and medical device sectors.

Education & background

Phoebe graduated in 2017 from the University of Cambridge with a masters degree in Natural Sciences. She spent her final two years specialising in Materials Science and Metallurgy. During her time at University, Phoebe completed a research project into the design and testing of hydrogen embrittlement resistant bearing steels; and also spent time at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich developing room temperature CO₂ sensors based on poly(ionic liquid)/alumina composites.

Prior to starting University, Phoebe worked for a mould making and casting company in London, and therefore has a particular interest in casting materials and technology for displays.

In March 2023, she was registered as a representative before the new Unified Patent Court, one of the first European patent attorneys to be entered on the list of UPC representatives.

Since joining Withers & Rogers, Josh has gained experience in drafting and prosecuting UK, European and International patent applications. He also assists with Freedom to Operate (FTO) advice. Josh has worked with clients from a broad range of engineering sectors including medical devices, agricultural, automotive, aerospace, space and satellite sector, and materials science.

Education & background

Josh graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Bachelors in Materials Engineering. Subsequently he continued at Birmingham to study a PhD funded by the European and German Space Agencies as part of the MICAST Project. The research focussed on casting and analysing aluminium alloys in three-dimensions using a computerised tomography machine. The work also incorporated the design and commissioning of a lightweight furnace for Earth and rocket based castings.

He is lead author on a number of conference papers and his work was presented at an invited plenary talk at a solidification conference in Hungary.

Abbie has a breadth of experience in a wide variety of technologies. She has specific expertise in diagnostic methods, immunology, molecular diagnostics, medical devices, tissue engineering and alternative proteins, diagnostic biomarkers, formulations and genetics.

Abbie is also a member of the firm’s biotechnology & pharma, and food & drink sector groups.

Education & background

Abbie graduated with a first class honours degree and PhD from the University of Leicester. She was awarded the AstraZeneca Physiology and Pharmacology prize for her undergraduate dissertation on the characterisation of ischaemic injury in neonates by electron microscopy.

During her PhD she published widely in the fields of clinical mycology and respiratory medicine, working towards the development of diagnostic biomarkers of airway colonisation in asthma and COPD. She presented her research at national and international conferences, and was the recipient of a number of awards for her research. Postdoctoral research in oncology focused on  mutation detection in liquid biopsies by next-generation sequencing and digital PCR.

Harry’s practice is focused on helping clients obtain patent protection for technologies that sit on the edge of patentability. He regularly advises clients on IP considerations surrounding software and business methods as well as technologies such as deep learning, blockchain, and machine vision. He has experience drafting patent applications directed to machine learning, artificial intelligence, industrial control, and complex software systems. He also has experience representing clients before the UK Intellectual Property Office and the European Patent Office, including first instance and technical board of appeal hearings.

Harry is passionate about providing his clients with unique, data driven, and practical insights. This is evidenced by the extensive research he has conducted on the patentability of AI and machine learning inventions in Europe, with a particular focus on the requirements for sufficiency of disclosure. He has presented this research to numerous clients throughout the UK & Europe and the US, as well as a various bar and IP law associations.

Education & background

Prior to joining Withers & Rogers, Harry worked at University College London (UCL) where he was module coordinator for courses on machine learning and software engineering. Whilst at UCL, Harry was also a visiting researcher at Birmingham Children’s Hospital where he helped to develop novel protocols for predicting the outcomes of cleft lip surgeries.

Harry holds a BEng in software engineering and a PhD in machine learning, both from the University of Wales. After obtaining his PhD, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher and held a National Institute of Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR) research fellowship in biomedical image analysis. Harry has authored numerous journal articles and conference publications and has presented his work at both national and international conferences. He is also author of the book, “Open Problems in Spectral Dimensionality Reduction” published by Springer.

Andrew assists clients ranging from multinational electronics companies to higher education institutions and local SMEs, over a wide variety of different technological sectors falling under the electronic, computing and physics umbrella. He has experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications, including representing clients at hearings before the European Patent Office, as well as providing freedom to operate opinions. For example, his work has related to inventions in the software, telecommunications, clean technology, aeronautical, remote sensing, and financial services sectors.

Andrew has worked extensively in the field of computing devices and software, with a particular emphasis on touch sensitive input technologies, graphical user interfaces, and user interaction techniques. His experience in this sector also extends to networking systems, media content management and editing, data synchronisation techniques, image analysis. In light of this experience, Andrew is particularly well-placed to advise clients on the requirements for gaining patent protection for computer implemented inventions in Europe.

Following research into photovoltaic devices during his Doctorate, Andrew has retained an active interest in renewable technologies, and has been involved in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the wind turbine sector.

In addition to the above, Andrew also has experience of hardware and driving techniques for visual displays, actuation and monitoring systems in the aeronautical sector, various detection and sensing technologies (including spectroscopic and optical devices), and point of sale systems.

Education & background

Andrew joined Withers & Rogers in 2013 shortly after completing a Doctorate in Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Oxford. Andrew’s research focussed on optoelectronic devices fabricated from solution-processable materials, in particular organic and hybrid solar cells. Prior to this, Andrew obtained a first class Masters degree in Physics, also from the University of Oxford.

Russell specialises in drafting and prosecuting patent applications relating to both physics and computing, with a particular emphasis on software.

Russell has regularly given talks on the EPO’s approach to computer implemented inventions, and provided an analysis of decisions of different Boards of Appeal on the patentability of user interfaces.

In relation to physics he has handled applications relating to topics including photonics, spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, medical imaging and focusing of X-rays, optical antennas, LEDs and lasers.

Russell has worked on behalf of a variety of global consumer electronics and computing companies, UK based start-ups, and UK and US based universities.

Russell has also been helping to coordinate the firm’s understanding of, and response to, the changes that will be bought by the forthcoming Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court. He has also aided formulation of strategic advice for our clients regarding options that they may wish to take before and after the changes.

Education & background

Russell graduated from Oxford University in 2000 with a degree in Physics.  He then joined Withers & Rogers LLP in February 2001. He qualified as both UK Patent Attorney and as a European Patent Attorney in 2004 and was awarded the Michael Jones prize for the highest mark for patent amendment. In March 2023, he was registered as a representative before the new Unified Patent Court, one of the first European patent attorneys to be entered on the list of UPC representatives.

James has worked with businesses and individuals involved in a wide range of innovative technologies. These include petrochemical distribution and handling, motorsport fire safety and suppression, peripheral vascular and neuro vascular medical devices, commercial vehicle air management systems and high speed watercraft.

At Withers & Rogers James works with a range of clients extending from individual inventors, through SMEs to global multinationals.

James has had multiple successes for clients before EPO Opposition and Appeal Boards.

Education & background

James has an Engineering degree from the University of Strathclyde and entered the patent attorney profession in 1994 with a firm based in Scotland. He joined Withers & Rogers in 1997 and entered the Partnership in 2005. In March 2023, he was registered as a representative before the new Unified Patent Court, one of the first European patent attorneys to be entered on the list of UPC representatives.

Diego works across a wide range of technologies and specialises in computer implemented inventions. His wider experience covers the automotive industry as well as the design and manufacture of devices and sensors.

Diego’s experience in the computing area includes user interfaces, operating systems, display system technology, encryption protocols, logistics, application software, consumer devices, computer modelling, speech recognition, online content delivery systems and security. He specialises in software patentability issues where he has written papers and presented talks on the issue.

In addition Diego has experience in automotive-based inventions both in software and vehicle components, optics and display technologies, as well as the design and manufacture of detectors.

Diego has worked with a wide range of clients, from major multinational consumer electronics, software and personal device and detection device manufacturers, universities to SME and start-ups.

Education & background

Diego qualified as a patent attorney in 2012. Prior to this he graduated with a Master’s in Science in Physics with Astrophysics from the University of Bristol. He then completed his PhD in Astrophysics at Liverpool John Moores on the “Properties of Classical Novae”. He is also a fluent French speaker. In March 2023, he was registered as a representative before the new Unified Patent Court, one of the first European patent attorneys to be entered on the list of UPC representatives.

Dave has extensive litigation experience, with a track record of cases before the Court of Appeal, the High Court and the Patent County Court (now the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court) as well as in oppositions and appeals at the European Patent Office. In March 2023, he was registered as a representative before the new Unified Patent Court, one of the first European patent attorneys to be entered on the list of UPC representatives.

Dave acts for clients in a diverse range of technology sectors such as aircraft propulsion, motorsport, homewares, packaging, medical devices and agricultural engineering to name a few.

Dave ran the successful appeal at the Court of Appeal in Vector Corporation vs. Glatt Air Techniques, Inc., the first successful Court of Appeal case by a patent attorney litigator on appeal from the High Court.

Another of Dave’s notable achievements was securing a rare and substantial cost award at the European Patent Office on behalf of his client, one of the biggest ever granted by that tribunal.

Christopher handles patent work in the fields of aerospace, automotive and manufacturing engineering, as well as the medical device sector. His clients currently cover the fields of industrial automation, electric and commercial vehicles and renewable energy.

Christopher represents a range of clients, from global businesses to SMEs and individuals working in a diverse range of Engineering Technologies. He is a regular visitor to both China and the US, where he has a number of direct clients.

Christopher is practiced in drafting and prosecuting patent applications through to grant, managing patent and registered design portfolios that include foreign rights, and advising on freedom to operate, competitor monitoring, and due diligence activities. Christopher also handles contentious issues, advising clients in relation to asserting their IP rights and undertaking licencing negotiations.

Christopher heads the firm’s Space group and is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He has an interest in start-ups and has worked with a number of such companies to secure patent protection for their innovative products. Christopher has also advised clients on how to benefit from the UK’s Patent Box tax incentive scheme.

Education & background

Christopher has a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Bristol. Before becoming a patent attorney, Christopher was a Manufacturing Engineer at Airbus. There, Christopher worked on wingbox development for a variety of aircraft programmes, and spent time working in both Germany and Spain.

Christopher joined Withers & Rogers in 2011, qualified as a Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney in 2015 and was promoted to Partner in 2021. In March 2023, he was registered as a representative before the new Unified Patent Court, one of the first European patent attorneys to be entered on the list of UPC representatives.