header-logo header-logo

New Law Journal | The leading weekly legal magazine

Home Login E-newsletter About us
Latest
Opinion
24 June 2026
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
printer mail-detail

Mathys & Squire—nine promotions

IP firm announces new partners and senior promotions across UK offices

Leading intellectual property law firm Mathys & Squire is delighted to announce it has promoted three managing associates to partners and six associates to managing associates across their UK offices.

The new partners are Adam Gilbertson (pictured), Leonard Wright and Oliver Parish, all from the patents practice. The new managing associates are Daniel Varley, Sarah Linnett, Siobhan Durran, William Wathey, Peter Humby and Rachael Martin, all from the patents practice, with Daniel also practicing in the design group.

The promotions reflect Mathys & Squire’s continued dedication to strategic growth as a firm, as well as the value they place on career progression.

The following have now been appointed as Partners:

  • Adam Gilbertson (Birmingham office) – Adam specialises in the areas of physics, optical and electronic devices, as well as systems, materials and software inventions. Currently, he is assisting in the prosecution of a suite of patent applications on AI technologies. He also has significant experience working with SMEs and spinout companies, providing patentability and infringement opinions for decision making.
  • Leonard Wright (London office) – Leo advises clients, from startups to large corporations, across a broad range of industries with a particular focus on medical devices, computer-implemented inventions and mechanical engineering. He has recently been involved in handling offensive and defensive oppositions at the EPO, and has also advised on a number of litigation cases at the new UPC.
  • Oliver Parish (London office) – Oliver works across a range of technologies in the fields of physics, engineering and software; his recent work has focused on high-tech innovation in quantum computing, photonics and semiconductor technologies. He also has extensive experience in strategic and contentious matters, having advised clients in respect of disputes regarding the infringement and validity of patents and registered designs, as well as patent licensing, IP due diligence, and freedom to operate.

Martin MacLean says, “It was with great pleasure that we announce these promotions and recognise the achievements, talent and hard work of our new Partners and Managing Associates. Their commitment to delivering excellence and dedication to their clients has shone through during their time with us, and we look forward to seeing how they will continue contributing to the success of the firm. At Mathys & Squire, we are passionate about supporting career progression and rewarding hard work, and this is an important step in the firm’s strategic growth.”

In our London office, the below have been promoted to Managing Associate:

  • Daniel Varley – Daniel advises clients across a broad range of engineering sectors including medical devices, optics, security systems, autonomous vehicles, consumer products, and renewable energy. Alongside his work drafting and prosecuting patent applications, he has extensive experience in securing international design protection.
  • Sarah Linnett – Sarah specialises in the fields of biotechnology and cell biology with a particular emphasis on vaccines, antibodies, gene therapy and stem cells. Her work involves drafting patent applications, managing global patent portfolios and coordinating prosecution across various jurisdictions.
  • Siobhan Durran – Siobhan primarily works in the field of biotechnology and pharmacology and has specialist expertise in small molecule pharmaceuticals, antibody technology and recombinant protein therapeutics. She has experience in the drafting and prosecution of patent applications in the UK, Europe and Worldwide.
  • William Wathey – Will’s work covers a range of engineering, physics and IT technologies, with particular focus on medical devices, software/AI, autonomous vehicles and telecoms. He has extensive experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the UK and Europe, as well as handling international patent portfolios and advising clients on wider IP strategies. Will enjoys actively engaging with startup and scaleup ecosystems, regularly providing IP advice to support early-stage companies through funding rounds, valuations and due diligence processes.

In our Cambridge office, two of our Associates have been promoted to Managing Associate:

  • Peter Humby – Peter works in the IT & Engineering team and handles patent matters on behalf of a wide range of applicants, from private inventors, universities and startups to larger corporations, including multinational telecommunications and video games companies.
  • Rachael Martin – Rachael has a broad technical background in biological sciences, spanning diagnostics, therapeutics, nucleic acid-based technologies and bio-based materials. She works with a range of clients including startups, SMEs, universities and large corporations.
FEATURES
Firms who address talent retention stand to improve client service, cost efficiency and potential earnings.

Service by email across borders: when does the Hague Service Convention apply? Jennifer Brockington-Belli & Lucy Taylor report

Brian Patrick Bolger discusses surrogacy, bloodlines & beneficiary status in Cator v Thynn

Rory Spillman & Simon Fitzpatrick investigate a contractual puzzle surrounding the late Zaha Hadid’s architectural legacy

Matthew Showler & Villasha Anbalagan explore the widening options for obtaining cross-border judicial assistance

Nicholas Dobson lifts the bonnet on the Court of Appeal ruling which held that government was within its rights to ban the group
Chris Dyke & Sophie Ruffles set out what the Financial Conduct Authority’s anti-money laundering takeover is likely to mean for law firms

Alan Ma warns that hallucinations are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to AI concerns

From lease renewals to collective enfranchisement & public rights over land, Fern Schofield & Gwyneth Everson analyse the quarter’s most significant property law decisions

Professor Graham Zellick KC considers the constitutional aspects of a change of prime minister between elections

View All

MOVERS & SHAKERS

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

Law firm mfg Solicitors announces promotions at Ludlow office

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints partner in Leeds residential team

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners adds six to partnership in record year for partner promotions

Meet our legal trainees Overview of Legal Services
NEWS
The legal profession's AI challenge extends far beyond fabricated case citations, according to a warning about the next phase of technological risk
Law firms should use the transition period before the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumes anti-money laundering (AML) supervision to strengthen governance and compliance, experts have warned
Cross-border disputes increasingly demand creative approaches to gathering evidence, with litigators needing to look beyond traditional letters of request
A Court of Appeal ruling has clarified the distinction between contracts of 'indefinite' and 'perpetual' duration, with potentially significant implications for commercial drafting
The Court of Appeal was entitled to uphold the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, according to an analysis of the ruling
MOST READ
back-to-top-scroll