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
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)
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
Dr. Séamus McCooey, BA(Mod), BSc, CPA, RPA, RTMA
Séamus studied Medicinal Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin. He graduated top of his class and was awarded the prestigious gold medal for his academic performance. He regularly advises in all matters relating to national Patent law, European Patent law and Design law. His core technical competencies include chemical, biotech, pharmaceutical and mathematical subject matter.
Professional Qualifications
- European Patent Attorney
- Chartered UK Patent Attorney
- Irish Patent Agent
- European Community Trade Mark and Design Attorney
- Irish Trade Mark Agent
Education
- B.A. (Mod.) Medicinal Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin
- Ph.D. Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin
- B.Sc. Mathematics, Dublin Institute of Technology
Memberships
- Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (Ireland)
- Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (U.K.)
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
Dr. Mary Munroe, PhD, BSc (Hons) RTMA
Mary graduated from National University of Ireland, Galway with a first class honours degree in Chemistry/ Applied Chemistry, and was placed first in her class. After completing a PhD in chemistry in the field of transition metal oxidation catalysis and their application to asymmetric synthesis, Mary worked in a number of analytical chemistry roles in the pharma industry and subsequently as a postdoctoral research role in the University of Western Sydney involving complex analytical chemistry of Chinese herbal medicines.
Mary has been part of the Tomkins Life Sciences team since 2006, and looks after several international patent portfolios. She deals in all aspects of Irish, UK and European patent law and practice, particularly relates to fields including those in the chemistry, nanotechnology, green tech, biotechnological, biochemistry, pharmaceuticals and drug delivery, medical devices and mechanical patents.
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
- BSc (Hons), National University of Ireland, Galway
- PhD Chemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway
Memberships
- Fellow of the UK Chartered Institute of Patent Agents
- Member of Association of Patent and Trade Mark Agents
- Licensing Executives Society Britain and Ireland
- Licensing Executives Society International
Seán Harte, PhD, M.Sc, B.Sc (Hons)
Before joining Tomkins & Co. Seán Harte worked for the two largest U.K based firms prior to moving in-house to work for NCR Corporation, the world’s largest provider of self-service solutions, where he was responsible for the selection and management of outside counsel in Europe.
Seán has extensive experience in portfolio management including aligning portfolios with business strategy, I.P. mining, invention capture and invention evaluation, the education of inventors, advising business units regarding I.P. in contracts and with supplier issues. Seán is experienced in the drafting and prosecution of patent applications in the fields defence technology, telecommunications, retail technology, networking architectures, sensor arrays, software and business methods.
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
- Ph.D in Surface and Interface Science, University of Liverpool
Memberships
- European Patent Institute (EPI)
- Substitute member of the EPI-Council
- Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
- Computer Technology Committee of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
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
- European Community Trade Mark and Design Attorney
- Irish Trade Mark Agent (RTMA)
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)
Andrew Waldron
Andrew Waldron joined Tomkins & Co. in 2011. He brings research experience in advanced nano-materials and 4 years of industrial experience in telecommunications with fixed line and mobile operators to his current role in Tomkins.
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
Dr. Paul McKay
Paul McKay joined Tomkins & Co. in 2011. He is a Natural Sciences (Biochemistry) graduate of Trinity College Dublin. Following his degree, Paul remained at TCD where he completed a PhD in Drug Design, which involved in silico research in relation to both Breast Cancer and Malaria followed by its in vitro validation using various biochemical methods.
Paul works on patent prosecutions in a variety of technical fields with particular focus on molecular biology and biochemical subject-matter.
Education
- MSc Management of Intellectual Property, Queen Mary, University of London
- PhD Biochemistry, Trinity College Dublin
- PG Dip. Statistics, Trinity College Dublin
- BA (Mod) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry), Trinity College Dublin
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
