South West law firm Ashfords has appointed UK and European patent attorney Kaya Elkiner as its new head of patents to mark the start of its international patenting service aimed at companies developing new technology.
Kaya, pictured, joins from London patent lawyers Keltie. The launch of the new patenting services means Ashfords is now the only law firm in the South West to have a combined patents and legal offering. 
The international patenting service will be supported by the full range of the firm’s business legal services, including corporate finance, sales and purchases of technology and businesses, tax, litigation and dispute resolution.
Ashfords said this meant it could provide a full service to companies and investors operating in the technology sector.
Kaya Elkiner has been in private practice for 12 years and was awarded dual qualification as a UK (Chartered) and European Patent Attorney in 2008.
He works closely with technologists, inventors and developers to understand their commercial needs, and guide them through the patent application process.
Kaya’s range of work includes patent portfolio due diligence, freedom to operate and patentability assessments, as well as undertaking patent drafting, filing and prosecution in the UK and overseas.
He advises a variety of clients, ranging from SMEs to large corporate entities and has obtained protection for a broad range of inventions including powerboats, smartphones apps and even beer kegs.
He has additionally become an examiner for one of the final-level examinations associated with the infringement and validity of patents.
He said: “I am thrilled to join Ashfords, a forward-thinking and innovative law firm that is clearly looking to widen and match its services – and the way they are delivered – with what clients in the technology sector really want.”
Ashfords chairman and head of IP law, Mark Lomas added: “We are delighted to welcome Kaya Elkiner: an extremely talented Chartered and European Patent Attorney as our new head of patents and to launch our new patenting service.
“It is incredibly rare among UK law firms of our size and type to be able to offer this service and it represents a long-term investment by the firm driven by demand from our existing clientele. The new patenting service allows us to build on our work and our established reputation in advising technology companies of all shapes and sizes on protecting and exploiting their intellectual property rights and investors in the technology sector – whether a fund or someone buying or selling a technology business.
“In due course we will make further appointments as Kaya builds the patents team in the same technical field.”
Ashfords has offices in Bristol, London, Exeter, Taunton, Plymouth and Tiverton.
