IP Stars has ranked four Kilburn & Strode Rising Stars for 2023, adding to the firm’s top rankings as a Tier 1 firm in the Patent Prosecution and the Trade Mark Prosecution categories of patent & trade mark attorney firms.
Partner and VP of the San Francisco Liaison Office, James Snaith, Partner Ben Scarfield, Associate Abi Heath and Associate Sophie Schneiders were named in this year’s directory as Rising Stars. The list distinguishes up-and-coming IP practitioners in private practice who meaningfully contribute to the success of both their firm and their clients.
Ben, who is part of the firm’s Trade Marks team, continues his streak as a Rising Star, having been named several times in recent rankings and has been noted by the directory as “one to watch.” Both Abi and James are part of Kilburn & Strode’s Life Sciences & Chemistry group. Abi has valuable in-house experience gained during a year-long secondment at Adaptate Biotherapeutics and James is located in the Bay Area to bolster the firm’s San Francisco liaison office offering. You can read more about each practitioner below.
About Abi Heath
Associate, Life Sciences & Chemistry
Abi leverages her experience in biologics and cancer research for clients across the field of Life Sciences, with particular expertise in antibodies and next generation sequencing technologies.
Abi employs a client-centric approach, providing practical, commercially focussed advice to a diverse range of clients on both complex prosecution matters and commercially important oppositions. For start-up clients, Abi works closely with the leadership teams to co-ordinate worldwide patent prosecution and overall IP strategies, and advises on due diligence matters. She also has valuable in-house experience gained during a year-long client secondment which culminated in the successful acquisition of the UK start-up client by a large multinational company.
About James Snaith
Partner, London & VP of San Francisco Liaison Office, Life Sciences & Chemistry
James specialises in chemical patent matters, particularly pharmaceuticals, polymers and other materials. Recent highlights include James’ work with clinical phase pharmaceutical companies, one of which was recently acquired by a global pharmaceutical company for over $13bn. James works closely with his clients to draft and prosecute patent applications in Europe, co-ordinate worldwide patent prosecution, and advise on due diligence matters and overall patent strategies. James is also a regular instructor on patent law and drafting courses around the world for WIPO.
About Ben Scarfield
Partner, Trade Marks
Ben advises on all aspects of international trade mark portfolio management, from searching and filing through to enforcement and anticounterfeiting. Ben advises on customs strategies and seizures for clients across various industries and sits on the INTA Anticounterfeiting Committee.
Ben has recently been awarded the IPReg Higher Courts litigation certificate. He contributes to the CITMA & CIPA European Union Trade Mark Handbook (Sweet & Maxwell), and writes for the American Bar Association and Laing Buisson (healthcare magazine).
We’re delighted that Sophie Schneiders, a recent joiner in our Dutch team and based in the Hilversum office, has also been ranked.
Sophie Schneiders
Associate, Trade Marks
Sophie provides strategically and commercially focused advice to a broad range of clients from start-ups to multi-national corporations in a variety of sectors, including the food and drink, media & entertainment and automotive industries.
In addition to trade mark and design related matters, Sophie also specialises in advertisement law and advises clients on green claims and misleading or comparative advertising.
Click here to read Kilburn & Strode’s full ranking.
Congratulations to all three practitioners ranked this year, along with everyone else on the Rising Stars list.