Throughout my undergraduate physics degree, I always anticipated I would be pursuing a life in scientific research. However, in the Easter before finals, a string of job interviews at under-funded research institutions led me to question this and I took a placement at a law firm specialising in patent litigation. At the time, I had barely heard of a patent and certainly had no real perception of what a career in intellectual property might entail. I remember a chief concern of mine being that I would lose contact with the world of science and have effectively wasted my time studying physics. A partner in the firm I was visiting assured me that nothing could be further from the truth, and that I would continue to learn about cutting edge developments in science throughout my career.  That was back in 1987 when I started law school, and his predictions have proved accurate; interestingly, I still think of myself as a “scientist”.

I have since enjoyed varied roles including at a leading London niche practice, at large general law firms, and setting up my own boutique IP legal practice from my favourite part of the country, the North. I now lead a team in Leeds for a commercial law firm with multiple offices across the UK and USA. My experiences have been wide, including handling cases to the Supreme Court, involvement in lobbying for and formulating law reform, court room advocacy, and extensive international travel. One of my favourite aspects, compared to many legal disciplines, is that my office is always full of tangible items – products and equipment in need of analysis to ascertain whether or not they are legitimately on the market.

Partner / IP Solicitor / James Love Legal Ltd

Last Updated: November 8, 2024