Simon Curtis

Simon is a Partner in our Chemistry practice, working with corporates and SMEs to develop and build IP strategies to support their growing businesses.

That involves the planning and preparation of new patent applications and clear advice as to where and when they should be filed. It also involves significant work on considering the rights of his clients’ competitors. Simon is adept at answering questions regarding which competitor rights might pose problems for present or future strategies, what should be done legally or technologically to address those problems, and when any action should be taken. He deploys these skills both for clients directly and in due diligence scenarios during investment rounds and in business acquisition or disposal. 

Simon’s contentious work provides clear support for such advice. As a frequent and accomplished advocate before the European Patent Office’s Opposition Divisions and Boards of Appeal, he is able to apply his experience to present dependable advice on patent validity. He is also a certified UK Higher Courts Litigator and has advised clients in patent litigation proceedings before the UK High Court and Court of Appeal, including in cases with multi-jurisdictional aspects and involving interplays with concurrent European Patent Office proceedings. 

The main technological focus of Simon’s work is in the chemical and engineering arts within the healthcare, fast moving consumer goods, energy, chemical manufacturing and materials industries. He previously worked in the intellectual property department of Waters Corporation - a major manufacturer of laboratory instruments - where he developed expertise in mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography. 

In 2019, Simon opened our office in Stockholm, which he led until 2022, overseeing a period of significant growth. He now visits Sweden regularly and continues to work with clients in the region alongside our local team.

Simon joined Potter Clarkson in 2012, becoming a partner in 2017.