Eversheds' IP expert flies solo in Stockport

THE EX-CHAIR of the Eversheds National Intellectual Property Group, Philip Woods, has set up as a sole practitioner specialising in intellectual property.

Woods, who left Eversheds Alexander Tatham at the end of last year, cannot practise in Manchester for a year because of a restrictive covenant.

As a result, he has set up in Stockport. He is also restricted from doing work for his earlier clients for two years.

Woods joined Alexander Tatham from Hong Kong firms Deacons and Wilkinson & Grist in 1989.

"I came to Alexander Tatham to head a brand new intellectual property department. I built up the department from grass-seed and it became quite successful."

However, Woods felt that the emphasis of the firm was heavily commercial and that intellectual property was on the periphery.

"Intellectual property was one of those specialisms in the firm which was not exactly looked on as mainstream work," he says.

The new arrangement means that he is able to "get much closer to clients," he says.

Woods has set up beside a firm of patent and trade mark agents called McNeight & Lawrence who will act as consultants to the practice. However, the agents are completely autonomous, stresses Woods.

He plans to expand the practice and is currently in the process of advertising.