Marianne Privett

Dr Marianne Privett is a European and UK Patent Attorney in our Chemical and Life Sciences team. She has experience in a variety of fields including catalysis, materials, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, laboratory equipment and packaging.

Marianne has considerable experience advising organisations ranging from SMEs to large multinationals in the chemical, biotech and pharmaceutical sectors both as an in-house attorney and in private practice.

Prior to joining the firm, Marianne worked at Johnson Matthey, helping draft and prosecute patent applications relating to a range of chemical technology. Marianne’s experience ranges from the original drafting of patent applications, through patent prosecution around the world, to conducting oral proceedings at the EPO and providing Freedom to Operate opinions.

Marianne is actively involved in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. She is a member of Venner Shipley’s EDI forum and co-lead of the external industry initiative IP Ability. Marianne’s efforts in diversity were recognised in WIPR’s inaugural ‘Diversity Champions’ list.

She is also a member of the European Qualifying Examination Committee with responsibility for marking the opposition paper.

Education

Marianne graduated from the University of Southampton in 2000 with an MChem. During her undergraduate Marianne spent 6 months on placement at the ENSCM in Montpellier, which helped her become fluent in French. Marianne then graduated from the University of Southampton in 2004 with a PhD in Materials Chemistry. Marianne’s doctoral research focussed on transition metal oxides and oxide-halides, during which she used a range of solid state analytical techniques to explore the relationship between the properties of the materials she was synthesising and their structure. Marianne has a post-graduate certificate in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary College, University of London.

Professional Memberships

• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
• Member of the European Patent Institute (EPI)

Awards and Recognition

• IAM Patent 1000 (Silver) for Patent Prosecution – 2026