What J A Kemp does

J A Kemp is one of the largest UK and European Patent and Trade Mark Attorney firms, founded in 1940 and headquartered in London with offices in Oxford, Cambridge, Paris and Munich. The firm provides specialist IP attorney services across patent drafting, filing and prosecution (approximately 1,800 European patent applications per year), patent oppositions and appeals before the EPO and Boards of Appeal, patent validations and Unitary Patent work, trade mark registration and opposition before the UKIPO, EUIPO and WIPO, registered designs, IP dispute resolution including UPC representation, mediation and High Court litigation, and strategic IP services such as invention discovery, IP audits, due diligence, portfolio and cost management, and registrable transactions. It also serves technology transfer offices of leading UK universities and early-stage startups with cost-effective IP strategies. Technical specialisms span 22+ areas in biotechnology, chemistry and pharmaceuticals and 11+ areas in technology and engineering, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, green energy, semiconductors and gene editing.

The business model is a professional services partnership: revenue is generated on a fee-for-service, quote-based billing structure tied to attorney hours and case complexity, with no publicly disclosed pricing. Delivery is direct-to-client through five owned offices and an established network of trusted foreign attorneys for filings outside the UK and Europe. The dedicated trade mark team collectively manages more than 50,000 trade marks globally, and patent renewals are delivered through a strategic partnership with Clarivate covering 200+ jurisdictions. There is no parent company, no external investment, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed M&A activity. The firm is privately held as a UK private limited company.

Customer segments are horizontal by use-case rather than vertical, spanning multinational biotechnology, pharmaceutical and technology enterprises, US companies seeking European patent protection, UK and overseas universities via technology transfer offices, pioneering startups and spinouts, and other global law firms requiring EPO representation. Distribution is enterprise field-sales driven, complemented by content-led marketing through the firm's Knowledge Hub (webinars, technical briefings, articles) and presence at industry conferences. The firm has retained top-tier rankings in all major independent legal directories — MIP, Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, WTR 1000, JUVE Patent and WIPR Leaders — across 2025 and 2026.

Name

J A Kemp

Legal name

J A Kemp

Website

https://jakemp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

J A Kemp is a UK and European Patent and Trade Mark Attorney firm providing specialist IP services — patent prosecution, EPO/UPC representation, trade marks, designs and IP dispute resolution — to multinational companies, universities, startups and law firms worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intellectual Property Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Management (BPAHAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

IP Due Diligence & Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Analysis (BPAHAMAG), IP Filing, Annuities & Renewals Administration (BPAHAMAJ), IP Search, Watch & Competitive Intelligence (BPAHAMAI), IP Compliance, Anti-Counterfeiting & Enforcement (BPAHAMAK)

Keywords

• Patent prosecution services
• Trade mark protection
• IP dispute resolution
• Patent opposition practice
• Intellectual property law

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Patent Services: Patent drafting, filing, prosecution, oppositions, appeals, validations, renewals, and restoration services. The firm handles approximately 1,800 European patent applications each year.
2. Professional Services - Trade Mark Services: Trade mark drafting, filing, prosecution, opposition, portfolio review, renewals, search services, and online brand protection services. Team manages over 50,000 trade marks globally.
3. Professional Services - Design Services: Registered designs, design search services, design portfolio review, and design restoration services.
4. IP Dispute Resolution Services: Mediation, UPC representation, UKIPO proceedings, IPEC representation, and High Court/Court of Appeal/Supreme Court litigation services.
5. IP Strategy Services: Invention discovery, IP audits and portfolio reviews, due diligence and transactions, portfolio and cost management, registrable transactions, and services for tech transfer offices.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

J A Kemp is a UK and European intellectual property law firm providing specialist patent, trade mark and design attorney services. The firm drafts, files and prosecutes patents (approximately 1,800 European patent applications per year), handles oppositions and appeals before the EPO and UPC, manages trade mark and design portfolios (50,000+ trade marks globally), and represents clients in IP disputes and litigation. Core practice also includes IP strategy services such as due diligence, portfolio reviews, invention discovery, and advice for tech transfer offices and startups.

Product overview

J A Kemp is a UK & European intellectual property firm offering a comprehensive suite of patent, trade mark, and design services. The core offering consists of Patent Drafting/Filing/Prosecution (approximately 1,800 European applications annually), Patent Oppositions and Appeals (EPO representation), Patent Validations including Unitary Patent services, Patent Search Services (freedom to operate, validity, landscape searches), Patent Renewals (via Clarivate partnership), Patent Restoration, SPCs and Regulatory services, and Trade Mark services (drafting, filing, opposition, online brand protection, portfolio review, renewals). Design services cover Registered Designs and Design Search. IP Dispute Resolution includes Mediation, UPC representation (60+ representatives), UKIPO, IPEC, and High Court representation. IP Strategy services encompass Invention Discovery, IP Audits, Due Diligence, Portfolio/Cost Management, and Registrable Transactions. Sector specialisms span Biotechnology/Chemistry/Pharmaceuticals (22+ areas including gene editing, antibodies, genomics) and Technology/Engineering (11+ areas including AI, quantum, semiconductors). The firm manages over 50,000 trade marks globally and has specialists in 35+ technology areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Patent Drafting, Filing and Prosecution Handling of patent specifications, international filings under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, UK filings at UKIPO, European filings at EPO, and coordination of global patent portfolios through a network of trusted foreign attorneys. Handles approximately 1,800 European patent applications annually.
• Patent Oppositions and Appeals Representation in EPO opposition and appeal proceedings. Acts in significant number of contested cases annually including complex multi-party proceedings, with extensive experience before EPO Boards of Appeal. Recognised as one of Europe's leading patent opposition practices.
• Patent Validations Validation service for European patents including Unitary Patent requests, national validations, and integration with post-grant services. Provides upfront cost quotes and coordinates with trusted local attorneys globally.
• The Unitary Patent Guidance on Unitary Patent options for European patents filed after 1 March 2007. Single right covering participating EU countries with one annual renewal fee and centralised enforcement through the Unified Patent Court.
• Patent Search Services In-house patent search team providing freedom to operate searches, patentability searches, validity searches, evidence of use searches, landscape searches, status checking and watching services, and SPC alert services.
• Patent Renewals Patent renewal management through partnership with Clarivate covering 200+ jurisdictions, with bespoke in-house service option. Coordinates annual renewals to maintain patent rights.
• Patent Restoration Restoration of lapsed patents following missed renewal fees. Successfully reinstates priority claims of late-filed applications and re-establishes rights in cases of improper progression to national phases.
• SPCs and Regulatory Supplementary Protection Certificate services extending patent protection for pharmaceutical and plant protection products beyond standard 20-year term. Multi-jurisdictional filing strategies across EU/EEA, UK, Switzerland and international jurisdictions.
• Trade Mark Drafting, Filing and Prosecution Trade mark registration services with UKIPO, EUIPO, and WIPO plus global coverage through trusted lawyer network. Tailored strategies for national, regional, or global protection.
• Trade Mark Opposition and Appeals Opposition, revocation, and cancellation proceedings before UKIPO and EUIPO. Coordination of similar actions worldwide with experience in appeals before Appointed Person, High Court, and EUIPO Boards of Appeal.
• Online Brand Protection and Brand Monitoring Comprehensive online monitoring including trade mark application monitoring, domain name registration monitoring, online brand monitoring, company name registration monitoring, and competitor/counter-party monitoring with takedown request management.
• Trade Mark Search Services Due diligence search strategies using leading commercial search tools. Includes full register availability searching, common law, company name and domain name searching through third-party providers.
• Trade Mark Portfolio Review Assessment of trade marks in use and evaluation of current protection. Identifies gaps in protection, areas where registrations are no longer required, and provides cost-effective filing strategies.
• Trade Mark Renewals Trade mark renewal services before UKIPO, EUIPO, and WIPO with foreign instruction capabilities. Partnership with Clarivate for comprehensive renewal services across 200+ jurisdictions.
• Registered Designs Design registration services with UKIPO, EUIPO via associated firm JA Kemp France, and internationally through WIPO Hague System. Includes watching services for new applications and tactical advice on prior disclosure and ownership.
• Design Search Services Registered design searches by registered proprietor and International Locarno classification. Completed by in-house search team or external agencies depending on requirements.
• IP Dispute Resolution Litigation services for patents, trade marks, trade secrets, confidential information, and industrial designs. Coordination of multi-jurisdiction litigation with over 60 UPC representatives and Higher Courts Litigation Certificate holders.
• Mediation Alternative dispute resolution services for IP disputes using structured negotiations and mediation facilitated by European patent, trade mark, and design attorneys plus solicitors.
• Unified Patent Court Representation Expert representation before the Unified Patent Court with over 60 qualified UPC representatives and litigation solicitors. Services include defending revocation actions, enforcing patent rights, and managing multi-jurisdiction disputes.
• IP Strategy Services Strategic IP planning including invention discovery, IP audits and portfolio reviews, portfolio and cost management, due diligence and transactions, and freedom to operate analysis.
• Invention Discovery Identification and evaluation of innovation within businesses in light of commercial goals. Reviews technology developments, identifies overlooked innovations, and provides practical advice on protection options.
• IP Audits and Portfolio Reviews Identification of IP assets and potential assets with support for internal process improvements. Reviews technology and processes, uncovers protection opportunities, and assesses alignment with commercial objectives.
• IP Due Diligence and Transactions Due diligence analysis and reporting for investors, investee companies, buyers and sellers covering portfolio overview, portfolio analysis, process review, opportunity analysis, threats and risks, and cost prediction.
• IP Portfolio and Cost Management

Quantifiable outcome

• Handles approximately 1,800 European patent applications per year at the EPO
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Clarivate (formerly CPA Global)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJ A Kemp partners with Clarivate, a global leader in IP management, to provide comprehensive renewal services covering patents, trade marks, and designs across more than 200 jurisdictions. Clarivate operates through a global network covering over 200 jurisdictions, enabling efficient and accurate handling of IP renewals. The firms have developed integration between their records to ensure seamless process for clients.
• VutureminorOthersVuture is a third-party email communication platform used by J A Kemp to distribute client alerts and invitations. Vuture collects anonymous data on unknown website visitors and allows known website visitors to be identified at individual level for personalisation purposes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kilburn & Strode: Kilburn & Strode is a long-established London IP firm with comparable size and a similarly strong EPO oppositions practice, regularly cited alongside J A Kemp in top-tier legal directory rankings.
• Potter Clarkson: Potter Clarkson is a Nottingham-based UK patent and trade mark attorney firm of comparable scale, with overlapping biotech, pharma and technology prosecution practices and a similar partner-led model.
• Marks & Clerk: Marks & Clerk is the other leading UK/European IP firm of comparable scale, with a similarly large patent and trade mark attorney headcount and broad EPO/UPC practice — widely regarded as J A Kemp's closest direct rival.
• Boult Wade Tennant: Boult Wade Tennant is a London IP firm with comparable EPO oppositions expertise and trade mark practice, frequently appearing alongside J A Kemp in MIP/Chambers top-tier rankings.
• Mewburn Ellis: Mewburn Ellis is a UK patent and trade mark attorney firm with strong life sciences and technology practices, sharing J A Kemp's biotech/pharma client base and London-Cambridge-Oxford geographic footprint.
• Mathys & Squire: Mathys & Squire is a London-based IP firm of similar boutique/specialist character with strength in EPO oppositions and patent prosecution across engineering and life sciences, overlapping directly with J A Kemp's core offerings.
• Carpmaels & Ransford: Carpmaels & Ransford is a London-headquartered patent and trade mark attorney firm with comparable EPO oppositions and biotech/life sciences specialisation, competing head-to-head with J A Kemp for top-tier mandates.
• HGF (Hague Corporate Group): HGF is one of the largest full-service IP firms in Europe with a strong patent and trade mark attorney practice, offering comparable multi-jurisdictional coverage and directly competing for the same enterprise client mandates.

Broad incumbents

• Bird & Bird: Bird & Bird is a large international full-service law firm with a leading IP practice; it serves many of the same enterprise and tech clients as J A Kemp but as a broader portfolio offering rather than a dedicated IP boutique.

Others

• Clarivate: Clarivate (formerly CPA Global) is J A Kemp's stated IP renewals partner across 200+ jurisdictions — an adjacent technology/infrastructure provider rather than a competitor, but increasingly a strategic counterparty given IP software trends.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about J A Kemp