Expertise

A patent attorney who “always goes beyond the call of duty” for his clients, James focuses on the chemical, pharmaceuticals, medical and chemical engineering sectors, and has extensive experience in cryogenics, refrigeration, ‘green’ energy, medical devices and adhesives. With a “great success rate at opposition hearings,” his strength lies in the creation, management and defence of global patent portfolios for a range of high-profile companies.

As head of Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals and Chemical Engineering, James is especially well known for his experience in the pharmaceuticals and medical sectors. Here, his work includes new therapies for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders and GI-related indications, together with novel techniques for the site specific delivery of drugs, as well as implantable medical devices and packaged gases. His chemical practice is also extensive, and focuses mainly on sustainable energy technologies, including ‘green’ and ‘blue’ hydrogen production, oxyfuel combustion, synthesis gas production, and carbon capture and storage. Additionally, he has extensive experience in the fields of gas separation by adsorption and cryogenic distillation, polymers and adhesives.

James undertakes original drafting work for a wide range of international and domestic clients, from individuals to multinationals, including both innovator and generics companies. He prosecutes applications through patent offices worldwide and has an enviable record of success in opposition and appeal proceedings at the EPO. He enjoys being involved from the creation of an idea to the launch of the product, and regularly undertakes ‘invention harvesting,’ where clients’ projects are reviewed to extract potentially patentable subject matter.

James is also a visiting lecturer at the UCLs School of Pharmacy, lecturing on the IP aspects of setting up a new pharmaceuticals business as part of its MSc course entitled ‘Pharmaceutical formulation and entrepreneurship’.

At Beck Greener, James is responsible for the Corporate Social Responsibility function, which has seen him introduce a number of successful environmental initiatives as part of the ‘greener Beck Greener’ project, to reduce the firm’s carbon footprint. He also oversees the firm’s award-winning outreach work in schools to promote careers in STEM and the IP profession. James is a STEM Ambassador with the firm’s community partner, STEM Learning UK, and an Ambassador with Heart of the City, a charitable organisation dedicated to helping SMEs implement sustainability and community-based projects.

Recommendations

James is recommended in The Legal 500 UK 2023.

“I have not met a patent attorney who combines calmness, professionalism, friendliness and open-mindedness in the way James Stones has done. He knows his business and I have attended opposition hearings where he has prepared every aspect of the process and conducted the hearing perfectly. The outcome was better than we could hope for.”
Client testimonial, Legal 500 UK 2023

“Highly skilled technically and legally – diligent, detail-oriented, and a pleasure to work with.”
Client testimonial Legal 500 UK 2020

“Always very reliable, and I only have praise for them. They are on time, helpful with their comments, answers and responses and the work is always really good quality.”
Client testimonial, pharmaceutical company, 2021

Awards

The Legal 500 UK, 2023, Individual

Career

James trained at two other firms in London before joining Beck Greener. After qualification, he was an associate of the firm before becoming a partner in 2010.