The former national head of IP at Addleshaw Goddard has joined forces with niche IP firm Robinsons to create a new IP boutique called Kempner Robinson.
The Leeds-based firm will cover the “whole IP lifespan”, according to name partner Richard Kempner, offering clients including Asda, BASF, Ebuyer, Jet2.com, HBOS and Premier Foods cheaper headline rates than at some national firms.
“My headline northern rate at Addleshaws was £405 per hour and my London rate was higher than that,” said Kempner. “Now I’m charging less than £300 per hour and we’re looking to be entrepreneurial in terms of billing options.
“Patent and trademark attorneys cover certain aspects of IP rights, while lawyers deal with exploitation and enforcement, but almost no firms outside London cover the whole remit.”
Kempner brought with him former Addleshaws director of patent litigation Stuart Jackson to form an equity partner team of four, including Robinsons partners Andy Robinson and Jason Dainty. Kempner said he wanted to recruit “at least three or four patent agents”.
Addleshaws’ IP practice is now run by partner Paul Bentham on the non-contentious side and Monica Burch on contentious.
