People

Clare Matthews | Partner

Clare is a graduate of the University of Cambridge, with a degree in Natural Sciences (including chemistry, materials science and mineral science) and Law. After training and qualifying in private practice in London, Clare joined, in 1980, the practice which has grown to the present firm. Clare became a partner in 1982.

Clare has extensive experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications world-wide, and has been involved in many opposition and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office. Her broad academic background has equipped her to handle a wide range of technical subject matter. Clare has been a tutor for the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, and has been involved with the training of several members of the profession.

e: cmatthews@nashmatthews.co.uk

David Roberts | Partner

David is a graduate of the University of Liverpool, with a degree in Physics. He entered the profession at another private practice and later joined the firm in 1989, becoming a partner in 1997. He handles a wide range of clients including individuals, SMEs and multinational corporations.

David has extensive experience of filing and prosecuting UK and European patent applications as well as prosecuting overseas patent applications, particularly in the US. David deals with a wide range of subject matter, including physics, mechanical engineering, optical, electrical, telecommunications and computer software related cases. He also handles a large trade mark portfolio, and has acted as tutor for the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, helping other members of the profession study for qualification.

e: droberts@nashmatthews.co.uk

Martin Lipscombe | Partner

Martin graduated from the University of Bristol with a degree in Microbiology, and a PhD from the University of Warwick for research in Vaccines and Molecular Biology. This research was sponsored by a major international pharmaceuticals company and involved two years' work in their laboratories. Martin joined the firm in 1991 and became a partner in the firm in 1999.

He handles a wide range of subject matter and has considerable experience in representing clients in opposition proceedings at the European Patent Office. He is also active in trade mark and design matters. Martin serves on the Business Practice Committee of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, which allows him to keep up to date with best practice in the profession.

e: mlipscombe@nashmatthews.co.uk

Helen Forsyth | Partner

Helen is a graduate of the University of Birmingham with a degree in Physics and a PhD in Materials Science sponsored by the Ministry of Defence involving rare earth magnetic materials and heat engines. She joined the firm in 1993 and became a partner in 2001.

Helen handles patent cases in physics, materials science and general mechanical engineering. She handles the drafting and prosecution of patent applications and advises on clearance searches and infringement matters. Helen has considerable trade mark experience before the UK Trade Marks Registry and the Community Trade Mark Office in relation to prosecution of trade mark applications, opposition and invalidity proceedings, and undertakes trade mark clearance searches. She advises clients on development of their intellectual property strategy and brand management.

e: hforsyth@nashmatthews.co.uk

Dan Sharrock | Partner

Dan obtained a degree in Physics from the University of Bristol in 1993. He then joined a private practice firm in London for seven years, before going on to work in-house for a well-known multinational electronics corporation. Whilst there he was responsible for handling IP protection and contentious issues, particularly in the fields of display technology and semiconductor fabrication. Dan joined the firm in 2004, and became a partner in 2006.

Dan has extensive experience of prosecuting patent applications before the UK and European Patent Offices. His portfolio covers a wide range of mechanical and electronic subject matter. Dan has special expertise in protection of computer-related inventions and imaging technology, and sits on the Computer Technology Committee of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.

e: dsharrock@nashmatthews.co.uk

Christopher Willett | Partner

Christopher graduated with a masters degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bradford and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Birmingham. After leaving university, he joined a multinational corporation in 1998 as a research scientist in detergent processing. He moved on to the corporate patent department in 2000 where he qualified in 2004. Christopher joined Nash Matthews in 2005 and became a partner in 2009.

Christopher is active in a full range of patent services, particularly in Europe. He acts for a broad range of clients including individuals, SMEs and multinational corporations, over a variety of technical disciplines, including chemical, medical, and mechanical engineering.

e: cwillett@nashmatthews.co.uk

Melissa Coe | Renewals and IT Administrator

Melissa Coe joined the firm in December 1988 and has been in the position of Renewals and IT Administrator since July 1992. Melissa is a qualified Patent Administrator and is the client point of contact for patent, trade mark and design renewals. She has extensive experience and knowledge of renewals throughout the world.

e: mcoe@nashmatthews.co.uk