Kathryn is a UK and European patent attorney specialising in Mechanical Engineering. Her patent practice is diverse, including automotive and aerospace technologies, composite materials, medical devices, and consumer goods. Kathryn has experience in drafting patent applications relating to heat exchanger and rocket engine technologies, as well as medical devices. Also with extensive experience in obtaining registered design protection for clients in the UK, Europe and further afield, Kathryn has presented to US IP practitioners on strategies for filing registered designs in the EU and UK.
Kathryn has first-hand knowledge and understanding of in-house work, having been a secondee for a luxury OEM, reporting to the General Counsel. On secondment, Kathryn worked directly with engineers, programme managers, and senior stakeholders to coordinate freedom to operate exercises to identify risks, and to identify potentially patentable technologies. Kathryn also worked directly with designers and marketing and communication stakeholders to coordinate filings for registered design protection.
Kathryn graduated from Imperial College London in 2016 with a first class Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. Her final year research project investigating the in vivo degradation and surface roughening of zirconia toughened alumina ceramic femoral heads for total hip arthroplasty was awarded the Institution of Mechanical Engineers prize. She also participated in two bespoke design projects for a high profile Paralympic swimmer, who used one of these designs at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games to win silver. During her studies, Kathryn also worked part-time at a multi award-winning start-up based in the Royal College of Art's incubator, Innovation RCA, where she discovered her interest in intellectual property.
Outside of her patent and design practice at Kilburn & Strode, Kathryn is also a trained Mental Health First Aider and a member of the firm's Innovation For All board.