AA Thornton

Engineering, physics and mechanical devices.

Adrian is currently the firm’s partnership chairperson with responsibility for working with the other partners to set the long term strategic direction of the firm.A partner within the engineering, physics and mechanical devices patent department since 2007, Adrian Bennett has approaching 20 years' experience in the profession, with a focus in mechanical engineering. His specialist areas of knowledge include fluid mechanics, oil and gas exploration technology, hand-held power tools, engine design, control systems, aerodynamics and aircraft design. Adrian has considerable experience in the original drafting of patent applications and their prosecution around the world. He also has considerable experience at leading oral proceedings at the European Patent Office and regularly handles these matters, including proceedings before the Examining Division and particularly proceedings before the Opposition Division and Board of Appeal. Other principal areas of work include advising clients in infringement matters, for example by way of freedom to operate opinions, and instructing counsel as appropriate.

Adrian's clients include individual inventors, start-up companies, SMEs and large corporations, in industry sectors such as oil and gas exploration, medicament dispensing devices, automated cow milking machinery, heat exchangers, separator devices, hand-held power tools, and personal hygiene and hair treatment devices, amongst others.

Adrian is a member of the firm's systems group, who is responsible for IT hardware and software, including the specialist IP software systems that support the smooth and efficient running of the firm.

Aeronautical design engineer for the Military Aircraft Division and Dynamics Division of British Aerospace Defence Ltd; qualified as a chartered engineer. Entered the patent profession 1995; joined the Northampton office of A.A. Thornton & Co 1996. Qualified as European patent attorney 2002; chartered patent attorney 2003; partner A.A. Thornton & Co. 2007.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (iMechE); Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA); European Patent Institute (EPI); International Liaison Committee of CIPA (ILC); Licensing Executives Society (LES).

Brunel University of West London (BA Hons Mechanical Engineering). This four year degree was sponsored by the Dynamics Division of British Aerospace Defence Ltd and was of a ‘thin-sandwich’ type providing eighteen months of practical training as an undergraduate engineer with the sponsoring company; Faculty of Law, University of the West of England (Postgraduate Diploma in Law).

Sailing, running, flying light aircraft (including aerobatics), golf.