Marc is currently Patents Director at Albright IP in Cheltenham, UK.
His main area of focus is intellectual property, patents and IP litigation with specialisms in areas including chemistry, energy, mechanical engineering, plus medical and veterinary.
Marc says he thrives on the variety of work in his chosen career:
One day I might be drafting a complex patent, the next I’m supporting a client in relation to a commercial deal or through a potential litigation issue. It’s not just the technical side that I enjoy, it’s also the relationships. I work directly with CEOs, inventors, engineers – the people creating the future.
He highlights that
The mix of technical work, communication with all sorts of people, and real-world impact is incredibly satisfying.
Adding value to clients
Marc recalls a particularly rewarding case:
One of the most satisfying challenges I’ve worked on was successfully defending a UK patent against revocation at the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office. The patent covered a marine bollard testing device with an angle-adjustable load mechanism.
The patentee had licensed the patent with a self-drafted license agreement; but the licensee never paid any royalties, and instead chose to attack the patent.
The case was heard in late 2022, with the decision then quickly handed down in January 2023, and we followed it up with a blog article summarising it all in April 2023.
What made it so satisfying was not just winning, but doing so by clearly communicating the core, finely-balanced argument in support of inventive step, and ultimately securing not just the patent but a favourable decision on costs for our client as well. That case embodied the kind of detailed, hands-on approach we pride ourselves on at Albright IP.
Best practice to share with FICPI members
A best practice that Marc shares with fellow members of the FICPI global community is around the way that Albright IP cross-shares expertise across the organisation.
We’ve got a very deliberately ‘flat’ structure at Albright IP.
Senior and director-level attorneys aren’t just managing from a distance – we’re actively involved in doing and reviewing the work on every case. That means we’re working directly with our other attorneys and trainees and collaborating across teams and departments.
This cross-team sharing of expertise not only accelerates development and training but ensures that clients benefit from the direct input of experienced professionals at every stage. It’s a structure that works brilliantly both for internal growth and for delivering high-quality, personal service to our clients.
The future for independent IP attorneys
The focus on accelerated development and training is also key to the firm embracing changes the future brings as AI and automation develops.
The real transformation is likely to come after around 2030, once legal frameworks have caught up with the technology. That’s when I think we’ll start to see more significant, structural changes in how we work compared to today.
He emphasises that he doesn’t see AI and automation bringing overnight change.
I anticipate a lot of debate over regulation and ethical considerations in the short term.
Over the coming years, independent IP attorneys will need to embrace new tools, adapt to changing client expectations, and possibly redefine where our value lies – particularly as AI capabilities evolve in patent drafting, prosecution and searching. It's not just about staying current with technology but understanding where human insight will still be irreplaceable.
He also expects the way that inventors act to protect their creations will change with the technological developments and that the role of the IP attorney will continue to be essential.
Some inventors are doubtless going to self-file patent applications drafted with AI tools that don’t necessarily capture their invention in the best way.
So, we may have more to do in terms of better informing and educating potential clients of the risks on that front, and we might more frequently have to step in to try to save the day without the luxury of having a professionally-drafted first filing to rely on.
As well as adding value to clients, education and communication is key to the firm’s success:
There are lots of technically capable attorneys out there, but understanding the client – their goals, what they’re trying to achieve, and so on – and building a genuine relationship is where the real value lies.
If you can’t communicate effectively with your client, you simply can’t deliver the right solution for them. That relationship and level of trust is key. Expertise is essential, but it's nothing without clarity, empathy, and the ability to really listen.
Value of FICPI membership
Marc joined FICPI last year, in June 2024, in time to attend the Open Forum in Madrid and is looking forward to this year’s World Congress in Naples, Italy.
He has already thrown himself into the Study & Work Group on International Patent Matters as a dedicated committee member.
FICPI’s Study & Work Committee (known by its French acronym CET) and its Groups take the lead in discussions with international and regional IP Offices and organisations, drafting submissions and resolutions on issues of substantive IP law and practice.
Joining and participating in the CET3 working group on international patents has also been fascinating.
It has given me a new appreciation for the behind-the-scenes diplomacy that goes into shaping our profession globally.
I love to travel, and I’m always keen to meet new people in the IP world when I do. FICPI’s international reach means I’ve been able to build those connections – meet like-minded attorneys, learn from their experiences, and share a few of my own. It’s the people that make it worthwhile.
Final word – outside of work
Formula 1 and fast cars feature top of Marc’s list of passions!
The competitive nature of F1 permeates into Marc’s love of sociable charity pub quizzes with work colleagues – and he recounts that they’ve even won on occasion!
Marc is dedicated to mentoring disadvantaged young students, having volunteered weekly as an academic tutor for the past six years.
Whether it’s mentoring, motorsport, or some friendly competition at quiz night, Marc values variety – and giving back.
Education & training
2023: European Patent Litigator
2019: Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate (ILPC)
2019: European Patent Attorney
2018: Chartered British Patent Attorney
2012: Master of Chemistry (MChem), University of Oxford (Keble College)
Professional background
2014: Joined Albright IP
2023: Promoted to Patents Director
