Alex Shiel | Partner, Head of IP/IT

Alex is head of the intellectual property and information technology (IP/IT) unit at Ward Hadaway and deals mainly with new technology businesses including life sciences start-ups, software developers, internet businesses and companies in the digital and new media industries.

He acts for a number of the North-East’s start up and spin-out businesses and is regularly involved in providing business support and mentoring to initiatives such as Codeworks Connect, Digital City, Business Development and Enterprise projects organised by universities and Nesta Programmes.

Alex has significant experience of working at partner level with clients in the public and private sectors, leading initiatives and building new business.

In the private sector, his role focuses on working with the firm’s commercial clients and looking after a wide range of commercial contracts, including research and development  contracts, systems purchase agreements, licensing contracts, joint ventures and escrow arrangements.

Alex has worked extensively with local authorities and university/Further Education clients, handling high value ICT contracting, outsourcing and procurement projects.

He advises on the identification, protection and exploitation of all forms of intellectual property rights, including patent and trademark issues, trade mark and design mark ownership and use issues.