Dr. Christina Gates, PhD BSc (Hons) EPA, CPA, RPA, RTMA-Managing Partner

Christina is the current managing partner in Tomkins. Christina's primary field of expertise is in biotechnology, where, with a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, she has significant involvement in the biochemistry and molecular biology fields. She specialises in advising, drafting and patent prosecution in biotechnology, biochemistry and medical devices.

In addition, Christina has considerable experience in Software, Digital and Business Methods patents, litigation and litigation support in inter partes court proceedings, in representing clients at oral hearings and patent opposition proceedings before the EPO, and at coordinating multinational litigation strategies. 

Christina advises both local and international clients on optimising the value of their patent and know-how portfolio and also on technology transfer and licensing agreements.


Professional Qualifications

• European Patent Attorney (EPA)
• Chartered Patent Attorney (Fellow of CIPA – UK)
• Registered Patent Agent (RPA – IE)
• European Community Trade Mark and Design Attorney
• Irish Trade Mark Agent (RTMA)

Education

• BSc (Hons), Queen’s University Belfast
• PhD, Biotechnology disciple, Trinity College, Dublin

Memberships

• President of the Institute of International Trade of Ireland
• Previously, stakeholder with the Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation
• Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (Ireland)
• Fellow Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (UK)

Simon Gray, BBS Dip LS MITMA

Simon Gray has been a member of this firm for over 20 years. Simon has extensive experience and knowledge in all aspects of Trade Mark law and practice in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Europe, including the Community Trade Mark system. Simon manages significant Trade Mark portfolios for clients covering Ireland, the United Kingdom, Europe and worldwide.  While many of Simon’s current clients are major international corporations, he also has knowledge and experience required to meet the business needs of SMEs, start-up companies and individual traders.

Simon is a current lecturer for the Irish law Society on IP, and has been a guest lecturer at the John Marshal School of Law, in Chicago.  Simon has written extensively on all aspects of trade mark law, and has been published in newspapers, periodicals, professional journals and also for on-line submissions.   

Professional Qualifications

• European Trade Mark Attorney
• Irish Registered Trade Mark Attorney  
• United Kingdom Trade Mark Attorney

Education

• Bachelor of Business Studies (Hons) – Dublin City University
• Diploma in Legal Studies – Dublin Institute of Technology

Memberships

• Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (Ireland) - Honorary Secretary
• Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (U.K.)
• International Trademark Association
• European Communities Trade Mark Association

Cathal Lane, EPA CPA RTMA

Cathal joined Tomkins in 1994, and is now Deputy Managing Partner. Cathal's practice concentrates on helping clients realise new opportunities by leveraging IP. He has acted for some of the world's leading companies, universities, semi-state companies and SMEs in the pharmaceutical, medical devices, machinery, composite materials and adhesive sectors.

Cathal adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to intellectual property and regularly works with clients' tax advisors and lawyers in order to develop and execute business focused IP strategies. Cathal has an honours degree in Science, majoring in chemistry. Coupled with an agricultural background, a lot of his work has spanned from pharmaceutical/biomedical to machinery. Cathal worked for Bristol Myers Squibb before joining Tomkins.

Cathal is a prominent speaker on IP issues including Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE); Orange County Patent Law Association; Universities etc. and continues to lecture regularly on IP. In addition, he is a contributor to the book 'New Venture Creation in Ireland'. Cathal is Resident IP Expert for DCU's Invent centre.

Professional Qualifications

• European Patent Attorney
• Irish Patent Attorney
• UK Chartered Patent Attorney

Education

• Honours degree in Science, majoring in Chemistry

Memberships

• Former Chairperson of the Patent Laws Committee of the Irish Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys.
• Former Council member of European Patent Institute
• Tutor on Irish, UK and European Patent Law

Olivia Catesby, BSc (Hons) EPA, CPA, RPA, RTMA

Olivia Catesby is a partner, and head of Physics/Engineering/Electronics/ICT in Tomkins & Co. Olivia has in excess of ten years experience in drafting and prosecution of patent applications in the fields of telecommunications, medical devices, optical/imaging systems, engineering and software, and is a specialist in the prosecution of US-originating International Patent applications for multinational corporations.

In addition, Olivia manages many significant international patent portfolios for Irish Clients and is a trusted IP advisor to third level education institutions and independent hi-tech research enterprises.

Professional Qualifications

• European Patent Attorney
• UK Chartered Patent Attorney
• Irish Registered Patent Attorney
• European Community Trade Mark and Design Attorney
• Irish Trade Mark Agent

Education

• BSc(Hons) Physics - Kings College London

Memberships

• Ireland’s representative on European Patent Practice Committee
• Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (APTMA) (Ireland)
• Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
• Coordinator and Tutor for Ireland’s CEIPI basic course on European and PCT Patent Law
• Chairperson of APTMA Education Committee

Orlaith Reedy, BE (Hons) EPA, CPA, RPA, RTMA

Orlaith is an experienced Patent Attorney, having prosecuted PCT, European, Irish and UK patent applications for start-up as well as multinational companies for over nine years. Her knowledge, gained from working as an Electronic Engineer and a Higher Diploma in Computing, has been successfully applied to applications in all areas of ICT, including telecommunications, electronics, renewable energy and optics.

She has represented clients through all stages of prosecution at the European Patent Office. Orlaith advises on all aspects of Irish, UK and European patent law and practice, from searching and prosecution, to infringement and validity.

Professional Qualifications

• European Patent Attorney (EPA)
• Chartered Patent Attorney (Fellow of CIPA – UK)
• Registered Patent Agent (RPA – IE)
• European Community Trade Mark and Design Attorney
• Irish Trade Mark Agent (RTMA)

Education

• Batchelor of Electronic Engineering (Honours)
• Higher Diploma in Applied Computing for Technologists

Memberships

• Patent Law Committee of the Irish Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys
• Fellow of the UK Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (UK)

Aoife O’Neill, BE (Hons) EPA CPA RPA RTMA

Aoife O’Neill is a Patent Attorney with over eight years experience in Intellectual Property. Prior to joining Tomkins & Co., Aoife gained first hand experience of the ICT industry through her work as a digital design Engineer in the telecommunications industry  for a number of years.

Aoife specialises in the drafting and prosecution of patent applications in the fields of mechanical engineering, electronics and telecommunications, and also medical devices. She also handles infringement issues related to both patents and registered designs. Aoife is a regular tutor at Intellectual Property seminars and workshops.



Professional Qualifications

• European Patent Attorney (EPA)
• Chartered Patent Attorney (Fellow of CIPA – UK)
• Registered Patent Agent (RPA – IE)
• European Community Trade Mark and Design Attorney
• Irish Trade Mark Agent (RTMA)

Education

• Batchelor of Electrical Engineering (Honours)

Memberships

• Fellow of the UK Chartered Institute of Patent Agents  (UK)
• Commitee member of the Licensing Executive Society (LES) - Irish Section.
• Member of the Irish Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys

Judy McCullagh, BSc (Hons) MSc RTMA

Judy McCullagh is an experienced Trade Mark Attorney, having worked in the Patent and Trade Mark Departments of a London-based Intellectual Property Firm and another, Dublin-based Intellectual Property Firm before joining Tomkins in 2006. Since joining Tomkins and despite her Science background, Judy decided to focus on Trade Mark law and practice.

Judy deals with all Trade Mark matters including pre-filing clearance searches, the prosecution of trade mark applications and contentious matters including oppositions, revocations and invalidations. She also advises on Trade Mark infringement and passing off matters.

Professional Qualifications

• European Trade Mark Attorney
• Irish Registered Trade Mark Attorney  
• Member of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (UK)

Education

• University College Dublin, first class honours degree in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics
• MSc in the Management of Intellectual Property from Queen Mary, University of London

Memberships

• Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (Ireland) - Member of the Law and Education Committees
• Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (UK)
• International Trade Mark Association (INTA)
• European Community Trade Mark Association (ECTA) - Member of the Harmonisation Committee

Sinéad Škrba, BE(Hons), MEngSc, RTMA

Prior to joining Tomkins, Sinéad worked as a design engineer for an electronic design automation tools provider, and also as a Field Applications Engineer and a Technical Account Manager for an electronics component distribution company. In this role she worked with companies across a broad range of technologies such as Medical, Security and Automotive, supporting their products from design through to manufacture.

As part of the Intellectual Property team within Tomkins & Co, Sinéad is involved in patent prosecution before the Irish, UK and European Patent Offices in applications in all areas of ICT, including telecommunications, electronics, renewable energy, power electronics and medical devices.

Professional Qualifications

• European Patent Attorney
• Chartered Patent Attorney (UK)
• Registered Patent Agent (IE)
• European Community Trade Mark and Design Attorney
• Irish Trade Mark Agent

Education

• Batchelor of Electronic Engineering (Hons)
• Masters of Engineering Science

Memberships 

• Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (Europe)
• Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (Ireland)
• Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (U.K.)
• Engineers Ireland Ordinary Member  

Naoise Gaffney, MA, MSc, MSc, CPA, EPA, RTMA

Naoise has previously worked in a start-up software company, in a leading Australian firm of patent attorneys, and in the Technology Transfer department of Trinity College Dublin. He drafts and prosecutes patent applications primarily in the fields of Information/Communications Technology and Biotechnology. He has experience managing international patent portfolios and has been involved in opposition/revocation proceedings before a number of patent offices worldwide.

Naoise also lectures part-time on the subject of Intellectual Property to postgraduate students of Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin.

Professional Qualifications

• European Patent Attorney
• UK Chartered Patent Attorney
• Irish Registered Patent Agent
• European Community Design Attorney
• Irish Trade Mark Agent

Education

• MA Natural Sciences (Genetics), Trinity College Dublin 
• MSc Multimedia Systems, Trinity College Dublin 
• MSc Intellectual Property Management, Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London

Memberships

• Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (Ireland)
• Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (U.K.)
• Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (Europe)

Louise Carey, B.C.L., Dip. European Law, Solicitor, RTMA

Louise has over 25 years experience as a Trade Mark Attorney and as Solicitor specialising in Intellectual Property matters both contentious and non-contentious. She has worked in the trade marks department of another Dublin based Intellectual Property firm as well as in the Commercial Litigation departments of two top tier Dublin based law firms before joining Tomkins in 2012.

 Louise deals with all aspects of trademark law and practice and has a particular interest in contentious matters. Louise has lectured on Intellectual Property at the Law Society of Ireland and has tutored on the Society’s Intellectual Property diploma course.

Professional Qualifications

• European Trade Mark Attorney
• Irish Registered Trade Mark Attorney 
• Solicitor

Education

• University College Cork, Batchelor of Civil Law
• University College Dublin, Diploma in European Law

Memberships 

•  

  Law Society of Ireland

Andrew Waldron

Prior to joining Tomkins, Andrew performed research into characterisation of nano-materials in Trinity College Dublin. He also delivered a laboratory course in silicon processing and IC fabrication.

Andrew has spent four years in the telecommunications sector as a network operations engineer for a mobile operator and as an analyst for a telecommunications consultancy. He also assisted with nanotechnology and IT patent applications in the Office of Technology Commercialisation in Georgetown University, Washington D.C.

Andrew works on patent prosecutions in various technical fields with particular focus on telecommunications, IT and physical sciences. 

 Education

• Postgraduate Certificate IP Law, University of London
• M.Sc. Electronic Engineering – Nanotechnology, Trinity College Dublin
• B.A, B.A.I. Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Trinity College Dublin

Memberships

• Institution of Engineering and Technology

Deirdre Naessens, RTMA, CTMA, Dip. LS

Deirdre commenced her career in trade marks in 1990 as P.A. to a Partner in one of Dublin’s leading I.P. firms. She subsequently became Paralegal to their in-house Solicitor in 1994 and qualified as a Trade Mark Attorney in 1996.  Following a number of years as a Trade Mark Attorney in another Dublin IP firm, Deirdre joined Tomkins in 2000.  After two years working as a Trade Mark Attorney with Tomkins, Deirdre was appointed Trademarks Formalities Manager.  Her extensive experience gained from working at various levels prior to this appointment has ensured that she is thoroughly knowledgeable and qualified for this position.

 Deirdre oversees the filing of all trade mark applications, both Irish and foreign, as well as International applications under the Madrid Protocol. Deirdre is also responsible for the docketing of all trade mark matters and ensures that all deadlines are met in a timely manner.  She determines that all formalities relating to the trade mark registration process are completed accurately, ensuring that marks are validly published and registered.  Deirdre also oversees our Renewals Department as well as overseeing the recordal of assignments, changes of name, etc. so that they are correctly recorded on the relevant Registers. 

Education

• Diploma in Legal Studies, Dublin Institute of Technology

Memberships

• Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (Ireland)
• Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (UK)
• European Community Trade Mark Association (ECTA)
• Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group (PTMG)

Michael Shortt, BL Dip Eur Law RTMA

Michael, a consultant for Tomkins, has a long and extensive expertise in handling a wide variety of Trade Mark portfolios throughout the world on behalf of clients, including clients’ involved in theatrical productions, musicals ,drinks and beverages, water dispensing apparatus, pharmaceuticals, animal foods , coal, transport et al.  

Michael is an active member of the International Trademark Association( INTA). He is currently a member of INTA’s committee on Anti-Counterfeiting, and has acted in the past on committees pertaining to Community Trademarks and Office practices

Michael is active in professional bodies such as ECTA ( European Trade Mark Association) and the Pharmaceutical Trade Mark Group( PTMG).

He is the author of publications on franchising and other areas of Trade Mark Law and practice. He is the sole contributor for Ireland in the Sweet and Maxwell 2011 publication entitled PRACTITONER’S MANUAL FOR TRADEMARK PROSECUTION AND LITIGATION IN THE EU, by Dr. F. Hauck.

Professional Qualifications

• Barrister-at-Law-King’s Inn Dublin
• Post graduate Diploma in European Law, University College, Dublin
• European Trademark and Design Attorney
• United Kingdom Trademark Attorney

Michael Kiernan, BL Dip Eur Law MITMA

Michael, a consultant for Tomkins,  has considerable experience in a broad range of Domestic and Community Trademark matters, with particular emphasis on handling Trademark oppositions and managing Trademark litigation.

Michael is active on professional committees and has been a member of ECTA Council, Chairman of the ECTA Harmonisation Committee, Chairman of the Trademark Law and Practice Committee of the Irish Association of Patent and Trademark Attorneys, and a member of the INTA Issues and Policies Committee.

Professional Qualifications

• Barrister-at-Law-King’s Inn Dublin
• European Trademark and Design Attorney
• Irish Trademark Attorney
• United Kingdom Trademark Attorney