The engineering, electronics, telecommunications, software, medical devices, life sciences, and pharmaceutical sectors are all areas of expertise for the team at Lewis Silkin. Its offering encompasses the entire patent lifecycle, from filing, prosecution, and portfolio management to transactions, licensing, and litigation. Tom Gaunt chairs the department, which has undergone significant expansion with the acquisition of IP specialist firm Miller Sturt Kenyon and the addition of Jonathan Hewett from Venner Shipley LLP in September 2023. Hewett brings his substantial experience in developing IP strategies for start-ups, as well as his ability to represent clients in opposition proceedings before the EPO.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Responses are courteous and do not cut corners.’

  • ‘The team at Lewis Silkin will always go above and beyond what is expected of them. They act effectively as an extension of our in-house team, and their knowledge of our portfolio is impeccable.'

  • 'The team are always available and navigate the intricacies of our large organisation with ease, knowing when to push inventors directly or to take a conversation with the IP team.’
  • ‘Tom Gaunt is a head and shoulders above the rest. His attention to detail and commitment to understanding every aspect of our large portfolio is amazing. Despite being the head of a large team, Tom will always put his full attention on our cases where needed, imparting his years of experience in our sector.’

  • ‘I've been working with Jonathan Hewett on new technology patents for several years, resulting in one granted patent and several others pending. My experience with Jonathan has been excellent, who moved from Venner Shipley recently.'

  • ‘Jonathan Hewett is an outstanding patent attorney, with broad experience, deep subject knowledge, and excellent drafting and communication skills. His insights, knowledge and questioning help inform our research process, which leads to new discoveries. His knowledge of the patenting process helps us craft filings with the broadest potential coverage, and to respond effectively to emergent challenges. Jonathan's response to queries is always timely and extremely well considered.’

Key clients

  • Aptiv Technologies Limited
  • Seiko Epson Corporation
  • Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • TOCA Football
  • Ørsted Wind Power A/S
  • TDK Lamda
  • Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
  • Britvic Soft Drinks Limited
  • Future Injection Technologies
  • SGW Global

Work highlights

  • Advising Aptiv on patent prosecution and drafting work, including international filings and strategic advice.
  • Advising Seiko Epson Corporation on strategic patent prosecution matters.
  • Assisting Orsted with both patent prosecution services and strategic IP advice.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Tom Gaunt

Other key lawyers

Andy Cloughley, Jonathan Hewett, Paul Williams, Matthew Turner, Emma Bevan, Jonathan Higgs, Nic Jones, Nikita Meek