Nick is a commercially focused patent attorney who specializes in strategic IP due diligence, risk management, global enforcement coordination and the development of high-value litigation-ready patent portfolios. Having launched Kilburn & Strode's San Francisco office in 2017, he brings a unique international perspective to intellectual property strategy.
Nick is trusted by in-house counsel and C-suite executives for his comprehensive and often creative approach to using patents as a tool to successfully deliver on critical business objectives. His experience includes:
-
Leading IP due diligence for a major US medical technology company in their successful acquisition of an AI and software scale-up. The work encompassed competitive patent landscaping, detailed third-party risk assessment (Freedom to Operate – FTO), SEP liability risk, and development of a patent strategy for integration into the wider business.
-
Working with C-suite of a well-known global consumer electronics company to develop an innovative patent strategy to provide a defence against threats and enable the company to increase competitiveness.
-
Collaborating closely with the Chief IP Counsel of a European healthcare company to build a litigation-ready IP portfolio, including rapid asset development in response to identified weaknesses and immediate competitive threats.
-
Creating strategic frameworks for a market leading engineering company for managing third-party IP risk and strengthening competitive positions. This included delivery of board-level decision making advice, alongside detailed plans and analysis alongside the company’s GC for using IP as leverage to strengthen market position through global enforcement including negotiations and, as a last resort, litigation.
-
Working with a music technology company to optimize their IP portfolio for multi-million dollar Series C venture capital funding round, working with VCs on due diligence for funding rounds, and preparations for Initial Public Offerings.
-
Working alongside the GC of a European technology company to help manage pre-litigation third-party threats, including providing invalidity assessments, opinions and claim charting, as well as strategic settlement advice. Alongside this we worked to improve the company’s future commercial position by strengthening their IP portfolio.
With an MEng in Electronic Engineering, Nick focuses on the convergence of software and electronics with other industries. Most notably, Nick works with a lot of MedTech and Healthcare companies to secure challenging software patents at the European Patent Office using the expert knowledge he has built up from representing some of Silicon Valley’s leading software companies over the past two decades.
As a champion for social responsibility, Nick has helped establish the Innovation for All Foundation at Kilburn & Strode, which dedicates 1% of profits to charitable causes, he coordinates the firm's support for qLegal, a pro-bono legal advice centre in London that helps the next generation of lawyers flourish, is proud to chair the European working group of leading DEI organisation ADAPT, and is a founding member of and mentor for the 93% Club which provides a support network for the 93% of people in the UK that went to a state or government-funded school looking to enter the world of work where many professions, such as law, are disproportionately represented by the privately educated.