Conor Wilman

Background

Conor is an Associate with 8 years’ experience in the Tech, Software, and Engineering (TSE) department in Dehns’ London office.

Conor graduated from the University of Manchester with a First-Class Honours degree in physics (MPhys), with course modules in later years focussing on semiconductor and laser physics. In his master’s project, he worked with the Jodrell group in Manchester to develop resonant transmission line structures for use in radio astronomy and cosmology.

Conor joined the Engineering department at Dehns in 2017 as a Technical Assistant. Conor qualified as a European Patent Attorney in 2021 and as a UK Patent Attorney in 2023. He became an Associate in 2023.

Type of clients and client work

Conor has worked on cases for a range of clients – from large multinationals to SMEs and lone inventors – securing protection around the world for inventions in fields such as aeronautics, green tech, and medical devices.

Expertise

Conor is also a Unified Patent Court (UPC) Representative and has supported and represented clients before the Court since its inception in June 2023. In particular, he has defended clients, such as Carrier Corporation and Stanley Black & Decker, in actions before the Paris Central Division and the Nordic-Baltic Regional Division and has used that experience to support colleagues with training and practical advice. His experiences before the UPC and the European Patent Office (EPO) places him at the forefront of the latest developments in prosecution and litigation across Europe.

Qualifications and Memberships

• Authorised Representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC), 2023
• UK Chartered Patent Attorney, 2023
• European Patent Attorney, 2021
• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
• Member of the European Patent Institute (epi)
• Member of AIPPI (Junior)

Higher Education

• Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, Queen Mary University, 2018
• MPhys (Hons), University of Manchester, Physics, 2017

Other

In addition to their case work, Conor is a regular contributor to the CIPA Journal on the development of UPC case law. Conor has also written for Landslide, the American Bar Association’s trade magazine.

In May 2025, Conor received a Highly Commended Award from the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI). The award recognised Conor’s significant contribution to the UK group’s response to AIPPI’s 2025 Patent Study Question, focusing on compulsory licensing under UK patent law. Conor led key research, contributed extensively to the harmonisation proposals, and played a role in shaping the final document, which will be debated at the AIPPI Congress in Yokohama in September 2025.

Conor has been part of Dehns’ Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee since 2020 and was previously an active committee member of IP Out from July 2018 to July 2022.