Jonathan Stafford, a patent attorney, has joined Carpmaels & Ransford as a partner within its chemistry division, marking the firm’s fourth partner acquisition in 2026. Stafford, who initially worked at Carpmaels in 2007, returns from Marks & Clerk, where he held a partnership since 2017.
Life Sciences Expertise Enhanced
Stafford’s move from Marks & Clerk to Carpmaels & Ransford aims to bolster the latter’s chemistry expertise, particularly in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. He frequently appears before the UPC and EPO, adding to his credentials. Following his chemistry education, Stafford worked as a process research chemist at AstraZeneca before transitioning to Carpmaels as a patent attorney in 2007. There, he developed a practice encompassing pharmaceuticals, chemistry, life sciences, and medical technologies, including small molecule pharmaceuticals, diagnostic devices, polymers, advanced materials, and synthetic chemistry.
UPC Litigation Experience
At the UPC, Stafford has participated in multiple revocation actions, including at the Court of Appeal. Notably, he contributed to the first full merits hearing in a UPC revocation action before the Paris Central Division. He also appeared at the Court of Appeal in the Edwards vs Meril inventive step case and represented Meril in EPO opposition proceedings. Beyond litigation, Stafford advises on European IP portfolio management, freedom-to-operate, due diligence, licensing, and transactions. His appointment aligns with Carpmaels & Ransford’s 250th anniversary and its strategy to enhance litigation capabilities, a focus since the firm established one of the UK’s first dedicated litigation teams and actively engaged with the UPC from its inception.
This year, Carpmaels & Ransford also welcomed Kevin Cordina, formerly of Simmons & Simmons, to its engineering and tech team. The litigation practice expanded with Niels Hölder from Hoffmann Eitle in late 2025 and Christopher Stothers from Freshfields more recently. James Warner, senior partner at Carpmaels & Ransford, says Stafford’s focus areas will “greatly benefit our clients in life sciences and medical technologies, and will undoubtedly also add to our successes at the UPC.” Stafford himself referred to the firm as “one of the first patent firms to create a dedicated litigation team and one of the earliest to develop proven expertise and experience at the UPC.”
Stafford’s exit is a notable loss for Marks & Clerk’s chemistry and life sciences group, where he partnered for nearly a decade, becoming a prominent figure in patent litigation. Simon Mounteney, managing partner at Marks & Clerk, stated: “We thank Jonathan Stafford for his contribution to a very busy and successful team and wish him well for the future.” Post-Stafford, Marks & Clerk’s UK team comprises 110 patent attorneys and nine solicitors across eight offices, specializing in patent-related matters.
