A culture built on diversity

The world is diverse.

We’re lucky to meet people from a vivid spectrum of countries, with a rich range of backgrounds, languages, abilities, and cultures. Just like us.
 

Our people are diverse.

We aren’t committed to diversity because it’s “good for business” or because it’s the “right thing to do.” We’re committed because it makes our firm a superb place to work. Whatever your background, you’re welcome here because we love the creativity that difference brings.
 

We’re making change.

Through working inclusively and embracing diversity we can achieve our best.
 

Making global change on diversity in the IP profession

Across the UK and the US, we’ve held dinner debates with over one hundred senior women in IP to challenge them and their organisations to answer the question “Are we doing enough to support women in the IP industry?”

Are you doing enough?

We’ve effected change in recruitment, role modelling, mentoring, support, flexible working, and more across a range of organisations and sectors. Let us know if you’d like to join the conversation. We’d love to have you with us.

Celebrating diversity: IP Inclusive

Fiercely committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, we were one of the first signatories of the IP Inclusive Charter, making a public commitment to supporting and promoting DEI in the IP professions. Additionally, we were founding members of IP Out, our LGBT+ chapter, and we regularly host events for Senior Women in IP and on neurodiversity, sustainability, and more.

Want an invite? Just ask.

IP Inclusive Leaders’ Pledge

We were one of the first signatories of the IP Inclusive Charter and we are part of IP Inclusive’s senior leaders’ think tank, which has now launched the new ‘Leaders’ Pledge’. Its aim is to help senior professionals provide visible and active leadership on improving diversity and inclusion (D&I) in their organisations. 
The Leaders’ Pledge is a promise and commitment by individuals, not organisations. Intended for signature by partners, chief executives and others in senior, decision-making roles, it includes a promise to work alongside more junior colleagues to effect positive change.

Read our pledges here

Kilburn & Strode, IP Inclusive and over 30 other senior representatives establish new think tank devoted to Diversity & Inclusion

Senior representatives from over 30 patent and trade mark practices convened on 10 November 2020 to establish a new high-level "think tank" devoted to improving diversity and inclusion (D&I) in their sector. Instigated by IP Inclusive and supported by the membership bodies CIPA and CITMA, this pioneering project brought together senior and managing partners to share ideas and best practices and agree how to use their status, influence and connections to improve D&I for all. Kilburn & Strode is proud to be a part of this initiative and of our chair Professor Gwilym Roberts who continues in role as CIPA Honorary Secretary.

Read the full release here

Time to Change

We have signed the Time to Change pledge as we want to end mental health discrimination. We have trained 13 Mental Health First Aiders. We are on a journey and determined to ensure that we do all we can to support anyone at Kilburn & Strode, whatever their issue.

Read more about the pledge

TIME'S UP

We were proud to have been selected to handle the UK and EU trade mark applications for the mark TIME’S UP, including various logos. This has been one of the highest profile brands this year and has been publicised widely at the Golden Globe Awards and The Oscars.
 
In addition to the filing and prosecution of trade mark applications for the TIME’S UP marks, we have also provided additional counselling on trade mark matters.

See the coverage:

TIME'S UP! Golden Globes stars defiant against abusers

TIME'S UP Pins Are the Political Accessory at the Golden Globes

Sisters, this is our moment to say TIME'S UP

Oscars: TIME'S UP is built to last in Hollywood and beyond

Innovation for All Foundation

We care about the wider innovation and technology community; that’s why we donate 1% of all annual profits to the Kilburn & Strode Innovation for All Foundation – thereby giving everyone the chance to both innovate and prosper. We also give everyone a day of paid leave a year to get involved with something that they are passionate about. See how we’ve enabled two charities to use Technology for Good.

Learn more about Innovation For All ►

Tom Leonard

One of our Life Sciences and Chemistry partners is a founding member of IP Out, which is the IP Inclusive Community for LGBTQ+ people and their allies working in the IP profession.


 

I bring my whole self to work. This includes being a founding member of IP Out. It’s my mission to make sure everyone feels that way here. We don’t just say we love diversity. We do. And we live it.”

Tom Leonard

Maternity and Shared Parental Leave

We have super benefits, including enhanced pay for shared parental leave that matches our maternity offering. We highly support our staff taking shared parental leave and this is showcased through Michael’s experience here. Michael worked with our HR team to understand what could truly work for him and his family, and we were able to make it happen.
 
We have also teamed up with from Babies with Love to give our parents a sustainable gift on the birth of their child.

Tackling unconscious bias and diverse hiring

All our people managers have training in unconscious bias. That’s important for us.
 
We also sift all our graduate applications blind – that means we remove names. This all helps in our aim to have a much more diverse team.

Let us keep you up to date. If you’d like to receive communications from us, ranging from breaking news to technical updates, thought leadership to event invitations, please let us know.

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