Ian is admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and is also a UK Chartered patent attorney and Chinese patent attorney. In addition, Ian has obtained the Legal Professional Qualification Certificate Examination of the People’s Republic of China making him qualified in both common law and civil law jurisdictions.

Prior to starting his career at Deacons, Ian worked in the hi-tech software industry with TIBCO Finance Technology (a Silicon Valley-based company) and was a financial software consultant with Reuters. Ian has been advising on cross-border IP litigation and enforcement, and commercial matters with a focus on China and new technology, for over a decade. Ian’s wide ranging practice covers complex patent litigation and enforcement, trade mark anti-counterfeiting, software and copyright protection, commercial IP and technology transfer, cybersecurity risk and data protection, hi-tech M&A work including IP due diligence, technology licensing negotiation and acquisition. In particular, drawing on his computer science and electronic engineering background, Ian advises on cutting edge IT issues including IT security, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, AI and NFTs.

Ian is a frequent speaker on IP issues including seminars organised by Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department, Federation of Hong Kong Industries and Managing IP.

Ian has been recognized as a Rising Star in China (2018) by Managing IP, as a Leading Individual in Patent Litigation in Hong Kong (2020-2021) by IAM Patent 1000 and a Recommended IP Lawyer in China (2021) by Legal 500.