David Paton

Background

David is a European patent attorney and Chartered UK patent attorney. He is also an experienced design attorney. David joined the Intellectual Property profession in 2004 and worked for Intellectual Property companies in London and Bristol before joining Dehns in their Bristol office in 2020. David was made Partner in 2021.

Prior to joining Dehns, David studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath.

Type of clients and client work

David is experienced at handling a broad range of aspects of patent practice, including patent drafting and prosecution, as well as contentious matters, freedom to operate and infringement and validity opinions. He provides strategic IP advice to SMEs and corporate clients, and assists them in maximising the value of their IP and advising them on the most suitable intellectual property portfolio for their business. David also works closely with start up and scale up entities, as well as having substantial experience working with in-house IP departments.

As an experienced Design attorney, David regularly deals with registered and unregistered design portfolios, as well as other IP matters.

Expertise

Specialising in the mechanical and electromechanical engineering fields, David is well versed in a wide variety of different technologies. In particular, he has a high level of experience with aeronautical and automotive technologies, medical devices, consumer appliances, and manufacturing machinery.

Qualifications and Memberships

• UK Chartered Patent Attorney, 2010
• European Patent Attorney, 2008
• Certificate in IP Law, University of London, 2005
• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
• Member of the European Patent Institute

Higher Education

MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, 2003

Other 

David was named as a “Key Lawyer” of the firm in the 2022 and 2023 editions of The Legal 500 directory.