Jonathan handles patent matters in the chemistry and life science sectors, with emphasis on pharmaceuticals, medical and diagnostic devices, industrial chemistry, materials, and synthetic methods. Jonathan has particular expertise in the area of small molecule drugs and formulations, cardiovascular devices and wound care, polymers and polymer additives, graphene, catalysis, and stereoselective synthetic processes. 

Having been identified as a Rising Star by IP Stars in 2017, he is consistently recognised as a key European Patent Attorney by IP Stars, and as a recommended practitioner in the Legal 500 rankings, JUVE rankings, and IAM Patent 1000 rankings.

Jonathan specialises in handling and advising on contentious matters for his clients, frequently attending hearings at the EPO’s Opposition Divisions and Boards of Appeal, where he has an outstanding track record of success. This experience in leading EPO opposition and appeal proceedings includes complex multi-party hearings representing patentees and opponents, and working closely with litigators to harmonise EPO opposition and national litigation strategies. Jonathan is also a registered UPC representative with experience in handling multiple UPC revocation actions. Notably, Jonathan handled advocacy at the first ever full hearing on the merits in a revocation action at the Paris Central Division of the UPC concerning European patent EP 3 646 825, where he acted as co-representative for the claimant. 

As well as his contentious work, Jonathan handles drafting and prosecution of patent applications where he has considerable experience in coordinating the central prosecution of global patent portfolios for his clients. He is also experienced in advising on validity and infringement, and advising companies on improving their IP strategy and processes. Jonathan has particular expertise in handling IP due diligence for companies looking to buy, license, or invest in new technology, including conducting freedom to operate and SWOT analyses, where he is recommended by his clients for his practical and commercially focussed advice.

Jonathan's clients include large corporations, SMEs, start-ups and university technology transfer companies. He has experience of advising spin-outs in patent matters from initial start-up stage through to preparing for the IPO process. 

Jonathan graduated from the University of Manchester with a first class honours degree in Chemistry and subsequently obtained a PhD from the University of Cambridge in the field of synthetic organic / medicinal chemistry. He went on to work as a pharmaceutical process research chemist in a well-known multinational pharma company before entering the patent profession in 2007. In his spare time he enjoys swimming and playing water polo, having previously represented Great Britain Junior and England Senior Men’s national water polo teams. 

“Stafford – who holds an organic chemistry PhD and gained industry insight through a stint at a multinational pharmaceutical company – is “the quintessential full-service practitioner, with the perfect balance of acumen, command and reliability”: “He understands a wide variety of complex technologies and is astute at identifying the opposition’s weaknesses and turning them in the client’s favour.” – IAM Patent 1000, 2022.

“Stafford is appreciated for his ‘professionalism, commitment and high level of communication. He helps to craft clever global strategies for his clients’ portfolio needs across jurisdictions’”- IAM Patent 1000, 2024.