People

Neil Coulson
Neil Coulson
Partner | Department Chair - Intellectual Property (London)

Overview

"Neil Coulson is everything you could wish for in a lawyer. He has profound legal knowledge, is a skilled advocate and always has the client's best interest at heart."

Chambers & Partners UK 2024

Neil Coulson's experience handling the full spectrum of intellectual property transactions and litigation enables him to better protect the very core of a client’s business. Drawing from his understanding of the commercial landscape for industries including technology, energy and life sciences, Neil offers clients business savvy and pragmatic solutions to a variety of intellectual property needs.

Chambers UK 2023 describes Neil as "incredibly intelligent and responsive. He has a real understanding of IP and is very commercial." In Legal 500 UK 2022, clients describe Neil as a "legal guardian angel providing swift, accurate, brilliant legal advice on intellectual property issues and also general commercial problems." IAM Patent 1000 (2012-2023) describes Neil as a "star litigator" and "contentious whiz that consistently secures favorable results in complex fights." Neil is also recognised for his "flawless professionalism coupled with perfect team management and client relations" as well as having "a particular talent for reaching deep into complex business issues and identifying the legal steps required."

Neil's practice includes dispute resolution and the exploitation of intellectual property rights, including protection strategies and the full range of commercial agreements. He has asserted and defended intellectual property rights before the UK Courts, as well as in patent matters before the UK and European Patent Offices, and in trademark and design matters before the UK IPO and the EUIPO. In transactional matters, Neil advises on cross-border technology licensing issues, standalone intellectual property agreements and on intellectual property in the context of corporate and commercial transactions. He also advises on matters related to data privacy, and has a particular niche in advertising and sponsorship matters.

Admission & Affiliations

  • Qualified Solicitor, England and Wales, 1997
  • Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys
  • International Trademark Association
  • Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
  • Diploma in Intellectual Property Law, Bristol University 1999
  • Diploma in Legal Practice, College of Law 1995
    with commendation
  • Diploma in Law, College of Law 1994
  • B.A., Oxford University 1992

Experience

  • International oil services company in patent litigations before the UK Patents Court and Court of Appeal
  • International precision engineering company in patent litigation before the UK Patents Court
  • International engineering company in patent litigation before the UK Patents Court
  • International medical devices company in patent litigation before the UK Patents Court
  • Leading German pharmaceutical company in patent litigation before the UK Patents Court and Court of Appeal
  • International precision engineering company in all matters relating to the strategic protection and exploitation of its intellectual property
  • International engineering company in a trademark appeal to the Appointed Person at the UK IPO
  • Leading UK pharmaceutical company on all aspects of its trade mark portfolio, including strategic counseling, trade mark prosecution, brand development and dispute resolution
  • International engineering company on freedom to operate opinions and analysis
  • International engineering company in design right invalidity actions
  • Numerous companies in relation to their international brand portfolios
  • Russian engineering companies on their technology licensing projects
  • Russian oil company on intellectual property aspects of its joint ventures
  • Russian chemical company on its technology licensing projects
  • U.S. engineering company on its data compliance obligations
  • Various international companies on the intellectual property aspects of their acquisitions, divestments and joint ventures



Awards and Community

Recommended in Chambers UK for Intellectual Property and Patent Litigation, 2012-2024

Recommended in Chambers Global for Intellectual Property, 2015-2017 and Patent Litigation, 2015-2019

Recognised in The Legal 500 UK for Intellectual Property, 2014-2022

Ranked in the IAM Patent 1000-Guide to the World's Leading Patent Professionals, 2012-2023

Ranked in the IAM Strategy 300-Guide to the World's Leading IP Strategists, 2022-2024

Recognised as an "IP Star" (Patent and Trademark) by Managing Intellectual Property, 2017-2024

Recognised as a World IP Review (WIPR) Leader, 2017-2023