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Alan
Harper

Partner

Head of Intellectual Property, Trade Marks & Designs

“I work closely with my clients to understand their valuable intellectual property but also, protect and exploit it”

Alan is a specialist intellectual property solicitor. An experienced litigator, Alan advises clients across the full spectrum of intellectual property matters and intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyright and designs.

His work enforcing the intellectual property rights of his clients means he is well accustomed with various forums, ranging from the High Court to the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.

Alan also often advises clients in relation to non-contentious matters, such as the creation, capture and exploitation of intellectual property rights, as well as “troubleshooting” intellectual property issues that can arise during a variety of corporate transactions.

Diligent, hardworking and passionate

“Intellectual property is an academic area of law and I enjoy the intellectual challenge of engaging with complex issues and distilling this into commercial and pragmatic advice for my clients”.

This exemplifies Alan’s approach to client work, in which he endeavours to provide quality service and understand both his client’s business and the importance of their intellectual property.

Alan has great knowledge of his specialist area, he understands the commercial issues and perhaps most significant of all, he’s passionate about what he does.

Guiding clients through complex issues

Alan’s clients are wide ranging, from household brands, retailers, food and drink and manufacturers, through to technology and digital, life sciences and medical devices.
Guiding these clients through complex issues and seeing products and services being offered to consumers which he has advised upon is what really drives Alan and this is reflected in the esteem with which they hold him: “Alan is now our number one go-to person. You are given well rounded pieces of advice, so you’re not left in doubt as to where you are going”

Just as Alan seeks to work collaboratively with his clients, he also aims to do so with his colleagues and he enjoys working with different departments and sector groups from across the firm advising upon IP issues arising in a broad range of contexts.

Knowledge is key

Intellectual property is a complex and broad area of the law and while it was this that attracted Alan to it in the first place, it is important to keep up to date with developments.  Alan works hard to do so and his knowledge has been described by clients as “encyclopaedic”.

“I particularly enjoy the variety of my practice, ranging from dealing with complex litigation, advising on the creation and protection of new intellectual property and innovation as well as exploring intellectual property assets owned by businesses and advising on how best to exploit and protect them.”

Alan also frequently provides strategic advice to clients in relation to non-contentious matters such as the creation, capture and exploitation of intellectual property rights. Alan frequently advises on the acquisition of intellectual property rights and regularly “troubleshoots” intellectual property issues arising in a variety of corporate transactions.

Insights

“I invariably get a response from him within the same day. He’s always pragmatic and his responses are rapid. He’s also not afraid to say when something is low risk. He’s a really good educator on subjects. He’s a really valuable resource”

Chambers & Partners

“Alan is very knowledgeable about our industry and has a good understanding of our products and what we want to achieve.”

Chambers & Partners

“Alan Harper has an encyclopaedic knowledge of his area and is always willing to share best practice and get back to clients quickly.”

Legal 500

“Alan is now our number one go-to person. You are given well rounded pieces of advice, so you’re not left in doubt as to where you are going.”

Chambers & Partners

“He is very good, very approachable – he is more like a work colleague and a friend rather than outside counsel.”

Chambers & Partners

Alan 's contact details