UK and European patent attorneys Chris Mason and Parminder Lally join Appleyard Lees partnership

Appleyard Lees is delighted to announce that patent attorneys Chris Mason (MSci(Hons), LLM, MRSC, CPA, EPA) and Parminder Lally (MSci, PhD, CPA, EPA) joined the Appleyard Lees partnership as of 1 April 2023.

Chris and Parminder are the latest additions to a partnership that has grown from 15 to 20 partners in the last five years. The firm’s roster of attorneys and trainee attorneys also grew by sixty percent during this time.

Chris is experienced in developing and managing global patent portfolios, with specialisms in the chemical and life science sectors.

Parminder specialises in drafting and prosecuting patent applications for computer-implemented inventions, including those involving developments in artificial intelligence.

Chris and Parminder have followed different paths to partnership. Chris began his career at Appleyard Lees as a trainee in the Leeds office in September 2011 and has since risen through the ranks. Parminder also joined the patent profession in September 2011 and has worked in private practice and in-house. She joined the Cambridge office of Appleyard Lees in February 2019.

Their different paths to partnership also reflect Appleyard Lees’s commitment to promoting diversity and equality within the firm.

On his promotion to partner, Chris said, “Learning my chosen profession at Appleyard Lees has been a privilege and a joy. “While it has taken a lot of hard work to reach this point, the firm’s ethos of always putting the client first, combined with the underlying positive culture, has kept me motivated and supported me through my development from trainee to senior attorney.

“I am also very grateful to my colleagues who have helped me throughout the years. “I am thrilled to be joining the partnership. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the success of our clients and our growing firm.”

On her promotion to partner, Parminder said, “Although I have worked in other organisations, I truly feel part of the business, and supported and encouraged, at Appleyard Lees. “From the moment I joined the firm four years ago, I felt that my contributions were valued, and I realised quite quickly that I wanted to stay at the firm long term.

When I joined the patent Nerys Hird Senior Communications Executive – Appleyard Lee  [email protected] profession, I didn’t think I would ever become a partner because I didn’t think someone like me could. So, I’m doubly excited to be joining the partnership!”

Speaking on their promotions, David Clark, Managing Partner, commented, “The commitment of Chris and Parminder to their work for Appleyard Lees is not only first-class, but inspiring.

Although they have taken different paths to get where they are today, they have both made valuable contributions to our firm through their excellent client service and high-quality work. “I am sure they will both be great assets to the partnership, in the immediate term and in years to come. We are delighted to welcome them both into the partnership.”

About Appleyard Lees

Appleyard Lees is a leading intellectual property law firm with approximately seventy patent and trademark attorneys and litigators.

Who we are and what we do – but also, how we do it – makes us distinctive.
We help our clients protect and monetise their intellectual property, and manage post-grant challenges, should they arise.

We offer broad sector and industry knowledge, plus the ability to adapt our services to specific client requirements, in an agile way.

With offices in UK innovation hotspots, we are positioned to give clients expert strategic IP advice in the UK and worldwide.