James splits his time between our HQ in London and our San Francisco liaison office. He specialises in European patent matters relating to chemistry, with a focus on pharmaceuticals, materials and chemical processing. On pharmaceuticals, James is particularly experienced with small-molecule therapies for infectious diseases, cardiology and oncology. His materials practice spans bioplastics to graphene and encompasses a variety of applications, while his chemical processing experience stretches from speciality chemical synthesis to fusion technology.
 
James has extensive experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in Europe and the UK, as well as co-ordinating prosecution of patent portfolios worldwide.
 
James is a regular lecturer on patent law and drafting for the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). He also has experience working in-house for a global corporation as part of their intellectual property strategy team.
 
James graduated with a Master’s in Chemistry (MChem) from the University of Manchester. He also holds a second Master’s, in Intellectual Property Law (LLM), from the University of Manchester.

James has been recognised as a 'Rising star' in both the 2022 and 2023 editions of Managing IP's IP Stars.

European Patent Attorney
Chartered UK Patent Attorney
IP Litigator - Patent
MChem Chemistry with Patent Law - University of Manchester (2011)
LLM Intellectual Property Law - University of Manchester (2014)

N. Lee, J. Snaith and J. Etherington, News on plausibility at the EPO: G 2/21 preliminary opinion released, Kilburn & Strode (2022) 
N. Lee, J. Snaith and J. Etherington, Plausibility and post-filed data at the EPO part I – a practical guide, Kilburn & Strode (2022)
N. Lee, J. Snaith and J. Etherington, Plausibility and post-filed data at the EPO part II – the technical and legal facts of G 2/21, Kilburn & Strode (2022)
N. Lee, J. Snaith and J. Etherington, Plausibility and post-filed data at the EPO part III – a deeper dive into the case law, Kilburn & Strode (2022)
J. Snaith and J. Etherington, Edging towards a circular model: recent innovation in the design and recycling of plastics, Kilburn & Strode (2022)
J. Snaith, World IP Day, Kilburn & Strode, (2020)
J. Snaith, Plastic waste: cost or opportunity?, Kilburn & Strode, (2019)