Graham Ablett

(Partner) has an Honours Degree in Physics from Birmingham University, and subsequently qualified as a Patent Attorney in 1984. Prior to specialising in intellectual property law, he spent a year living in Germany to learn the German language, two years conducting research in the field of gamma ray physics, and two years developing refractory production techniques for the steel industry. He set up his own firm in 1988 from which he moved in 1993 to help found the present firm with Peter Stebbing.

Graham has wide experience of patent and trade mark practice in UK and Europe. He is conversant with a broad range of electrical and electronic/computer technology, and has particular specialist knowledge of consumer appliances, containers, telephones, printing machinery, and optical and printer arts.

With a young family, Graham has little spare time although he does try to exercise regularly, and occasionally plays golf and soccer.

Steven Suer

(Partner) has an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manchester University. On leaving University, Steven immediately specialised in intellectual property law and trained initially with a large firm of Patent Attorneys in Holborn, London. He joined Ablett & Stebbing in 1994 and subsequently qualified as a Patent Attorney in 1996.

Steven has considerable experience in the preparation of patent and trademark applications and in dealing with the varied objections raised by Patent and Trade Mark Offices around the world. He is particularly conversant with vehicle engine and transmission technology, electro-magnetic devices, optical appliances and plastics mouldings.

When not at work, Steven enjoys playing many sports, including squash, tennis, windsurfing and golf, although time for these is restricted due to the demands of his two young children.

Paul Williams

(Partner) has a Masters degree in Chemistry from Oxford University. After university, he immediately trained with a firm of Patent Attorneys in London before moving to the Intellectual Property department of a large US chemical company.  He qualified as a Patent Attorney in 1999, subsequently joining Ablett & Stebbing in 2001. 

Paul has extensive experience of drafting and prosecuting patent applications thereby developing an in-depth knowledge of a variety of technical fields with particular specialisation in the area of chemistry.

Paul enjoys reading, skiing, and the great outdoors.

Katrina Peebles

(Partner) has an Honours Degree in Biochemistry with Microbiology from St Andrews University, and a Masters Degree in Management of Intellectual Property Law from the University of London.

Katrina qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2004, and is also training and studying to qualify as a Trade Mark Attorney.

Katrina's specialist fields of knowledge are biochemistry, microbiology and biotechnology.

Georgina Ainscow

has a Masters Degree in Theoretical Physics from the University of Durham.  After university Georgina spent some time working for an Engineering Design Consultancy before joining Ablett & Stebbing in March 2002.  Georgina qualified as a European Patent Attorney in 2005 and as a UK Patent Attorney in 2007.

Georgina's specialist fields of knowledge are physics, electronics and computer programming.  Her final year degree project involved numerical and analytical modelling of high energy particle physics experiments, whilst her work experience involved the development of leading edge multimedia consumer products with particular emphasis on user interface ergonomics.

Tom Gaunt

has an Honours Degree in Biomaterials and a Masters Degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Birmingham University. On leaving university, Tom immediately specialised in intellectual property law, and started training with a firm of Patent Attorneys in Japan, before joining Ablett & Stebbing in 2003.

Tom qualified as a UK and European Patent Attorney in 2007, and is currently training to become a qualified UK Trade Mark Attorney.

Tom's specialist areas of knowledge include materials, engineering, biomaterials, and electronics. During his Masters Degree, Tom conducted research int the field of thermochemical surface engineering and tribology.

Tom enjoys snowboarding, running and travelling.

Nerissa Lonergan

has an Honours Degree in Biochemistry from Imperial College, and a Masters Degree in Management of Intellectual Property Law from the University of London.

Nerissa qualified as a UK Patent Attorney in 2007 and is currently training to become a qualified European Patent Attorney and UK Trade Mark Attorney.

Nerissa's specialist areas of knowledge include biochemistry, neurochemistry, neurobiology, and biotechnology.

Kevin Bartle

has a Masters degree and a PhD in applied physics from the University of Hull. Kevin's doctoral studies related to the electro-optical properties and surface alignment of nematic crystals for use in novel display devices.

On leaving university, Kevin started training with another firm of patent attorneys, before joining Ablett & Stebbing in January 2006. He is currently training to become a qualified patent and trade mark attorney.

Frederick Nicolle

has a Master of Natural Sciences degree from the University of Cambridge, studying chemistry, physics, materials science, mathematics and history and philosophy of science. In his final year Fred specialised in synthetic organic chemistry.

After leaving university in 2005, Fred joined Ablett & Stebbing in February 2006 and is currently training to become a qualified patent and trade mark attorney.

Hazel Stewart

has a BSc in biochemistry from Imperial College, London University, following which she studied for a PhD in the activity of a lipid-metabolising enzyme at the University of Dundee.

After completing her PhD, Hazel worked as a Life Science Commercialisation and Technology Transfer specialist for Scottish Enterprise, before joining Ablett & Stebbing in 2007. She is currently training to become a qualified Patent and Trade Mark Attorney.

Robin Marsh

(Consultant) holds an Honours Degree in Applied Physics from Brunel University. He qualified as a Patent Attorney in 1974.

Robin spent many years with the patent department of a large UK company filling several management roles and finally becoming Chief Patents Executive. During this time he encountered a very wide range of technology including radar and sonar, television, mechanical record pressing, tomographic scanning and liquid crystal displays technologies. He has considerable experience in intellectual property licensing and technology transfer. In addition, in his later years, he was heavily involved in the complex technical, legal and commercial issues involved with intellectual property in company disposals. He now acts as a Consultant to the firm.