Matthew Shade is a renowned attorney who has developed an exceptional intellectual property litigation practice with a strong focus on handling complex and multijurisdictional patent litigation cases for his clients. Dr. Shade enjoys working with clients in a range of industries, such as those in the life sciences sector, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and consumer electronics, among others.

Dr. Shade also has cross-disciplinary experience in intellectual property litigation and antitrust law, which allows him to offer clients a unique perspective on the many issues they face. With regard to his representations, Dr. Shade has acted before the English courts and the European Patent Office, and has coordinated several major international patent cases.

Prior to joining WilmerHale, Dr. Shade was a senior associate in the IP group of another international law firm. Previously, he managed the patent department of a high-tech spin-out from Cambridge University and was a patent examiner at the European Patent Office.

Dr. Shade is qualified as a solicitor and a European patent attorney, and holds a PhD in chemistry from the University of Oxford. 

Experience

  • Over the years, Dr. Shade has represented a variety of clients and some of his patent cases have included:

    • defending an international medical device company against a patent infringement claim relating to its insulin pump technology;
    • coordinating pan-European litigation for a global pharmaceutical company relating to a groundbreaking anticoagulant treatment;
    • defending an international electronics company against a patent infringement claim relating to the user interface technology of its products;
    • defending an international medical device company in pan-European litigation against a patent infringement claim over its innovative contact lenses;
    • acting for a global pharmaceutical company in pan-European litigation relating to its breakthrough cancer treatment;
    • acting for an international electronics company in pan-European litigation relating to consumer electronics; and
    • representing clients in a range of industries in proceedings before the Opposition Division and Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office.

Recognition

  • Recognized by The Legal 500 United Kingdom in the Intellectual Property category, with sources saying he "is a rising star particularly in the life sciences sector" who successfully “combines 'acute nous, commercial instinct, grasp of detail, and strategic insight” and is “very, very smart” with “a phenomenal grasp of legal and technical issues”
  • Named to the 2020-2024 editions of IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals guide for his litigation practice

Insights & News

Credentials

  • Education

    • DPhil, Chemistry, University of Oxford, 1997

    • BSc (Hons), Chemistry, University of Manchester, 1993

      first class

  • Admissions

    • England and Wales, Solicitor

    • Ireland, Solicitor

    • European Patent Office

  • Languages

    • Spanish

    • French

    • German

    • Dutch

Credentials

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