Graham Spenceley

Graham is a UK and European patent attorney with over 20 years’ experience helping innovative businesses protect and commercialise their technology. He advises a diverse range of clients, from start-ups and high-growth SMEs to multinational corporations, both in the UK and internationally. With a degree in mechanical engineering and experience gained in multiple leading private practice firms as well as in-house within a global pharmaceutical company, Graham combines strong technical expertise with a practical understanding of the commercial challenges faced by innovative businesses.

A particular focus of Graham’s advanced engineering practice is robotics and automation. He works with clients developing robotic systems, automated manufacturing equipment, electromechanical devices, autonomous technologies and next-generation industrial solutions. He helps businesses build and manage patent portfolios that support innovation, investment and long-term competitive advantage. In addition to robotics and automation, Graham has extensive experience across a wide range of engineering sectors, including automotive, aerospace and aeronautical engineering, medical devices and drug delivery systems, oil and gas technologies, Agri-tech, renewable energy, unmanned vehicles and related control systems, pumping and filtration systems, MEMS, semiconductor devices, consumer products and household appliances.

Graham advises on all aspects of intellectual property strategy, including patent drafting, global prosecution, freedom-to-operate analyses, due diligence, portfolio management, enforcement and transactional support. His time spent in-house working on medical devices, particularly auto-injectors and other sterile drug delivery technologies, provides valuable insight into the product development process and the role intellectual property plays in driving commercial success.

Known for his approachable style, Graham is particularly skilled at translating complex technical and legal issues into clear, practical advice that aligns with his clients’ business objectives. Clients have described him as “extremely approachable”, “incredibly knowledgeable” and someone who communicates complex subjects in a way that is easy to understand.

With the benefit of strong mechanical engineering background, Graham handles a broad range of technology in the advanced engineering sector, including:

• Robotics and Automation
• Medical devices and drug delivery systems
• Household appliances
• Consumer products
• Automotive engineering, including engines and power trains
• Oil & Gas engineering, including surveying and extraction technologies
• Aeronautical and Space engineering
• Agricultural Technology (Agri-tech)
• Micro-pump, pumping and filtration technology
• Unmanned vehicles / drones and control (e.g. LiDAR) systems
• MEMS and semiconductor devices
• Digital printing technology
• Wind Turbine technology

European Patent Attorney
UK Patent Attorney
UPC Representative

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
Member of the European Patent Institute (EPI)
Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (iMechE)

Graham graduated from Loughborough University with a BEng (hons) in mechanical engineering. He went on to obtain his MSc in management of intellectual property from Queen Mary University of London.

Graham originally joined GJE as a trainee in 2006. He subsequently worked in-house as IP Counsel for a global pharmaceutical company, before moving back into private practice where he honed his skills at another top-tier UK IP firm for a period of time. Graham returned home to GJE in 2018, and joined the partnership in 2020.