Mike Jennings

Mike is a Partner and European and UK Patent Attorney in the Electronics, Software and Communications team.  Mike’s specialist expertise is in physics-related technologies and computer-related inventions, and he has an enviable success rate in securing worldwide patent protection and in European Patent Office oppositions, especially before the EPO Boards of Appeal. He is often praised by clients for his commercially-relevant strategic advice and for resolving their most complex legal challenges..

Widely recognised as a thought-leader in the patenting of AI, Mike is active as an advisor to both the European Patent Office and the UK Intellectual Property Office.

His track record of providing strategic IP advice, both as an in-house patent attorney for IBM and as a partner at AA Thornton before joining Venner Shipley, has given Mike a wealth of experience and a commercial perspective. He uses this to help clients of all sizes to develop their IP strategy and protect their inventions in technical fields including computer simulation, quantum computing and artificial intelligence, as well various applications of physics in sensing and measurement technologies and instrumentation.

Mike is frequently asked to present to IP associations and UK attorneys on behalf of CIPA on topics including best practice for patenting AI and other rapidly-evolving technologies.

Education

• BSc Hons Physics, University of Bristol
• Certificate in Intellectual Property, Queen Mary, University of London
• European patent attorney
• Chartered UK patent attorney
• UK Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate
• Representative before Unified Patent Court

Professional Memberships

• Vice-Chair of CIPA Computer Technology Committee
• Fellow of CIPA (UK Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys), and member of European Liaison Committee & International Liaison Committee (N America)
• Member of CIPA AI TaskForce
• Member of epi (Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office)
• Member if EPLit
• Member of UNION-IP
• Member of LES
• Member of Guidelines and Quality working groups of Standing Advisory Committee before the EPO (SACEPO)
• Member of AIPPI, including AIPPI’s Standing Committee on IT & Internet
• Member of IP Owners Association committees: AI & New Emerging Technologies Committee, Software Related Inventions Committee, and AI Policy subcommittee

Awards and Recognition 

• Managing Intellectual Property, IP Stars (Patent Star) – 2025
• IAM Patent 1000 (Silver) for Patent Prosecution – 2026
• IAM Strategy 300 – The World’s Leading IP Strategists 2024
• IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders – 2025
• Shortlisted for Managing Intellectual Property’s Patent Practitioner of the Year 2024