Michelle Montgomery

Michelle is part of the Chemistry team at Carpmaels and Ransford with a strong focus in the life science sector where her practice includes new chemical entities, new pharmaceutical forms and formulations, as well as further medical uses and dosage regimens. In addition to pharmaceuticals, Michelle has experience handling a broad range of chemical subject matter including consumer products, polymers, medical devices and chemical simulations. This diverse practice reflects Michelle’s multi-disciplinary technical background in pharmaceutical synthesis, organometallic catalysis, and computational modelling.

She advises clients through all stages of the patent process, from drafting of new applications, to coordinating prosecution of global patent portfolios, through to post-grant opposition and appeal proceedings. Michelle also has experience advising on freedom to operate and opinion work. She enjoys digging into the technical details of a case at all stages of the patent process, including working with inventors to draft robust patent applications, and developing commercially relevant strategies during contentious proceedings.

Michelle qualified as Chartered UK patent attorney and a European patent attorney in 2019. She has a first-class Masters degree in chemistry with industrial experience from Heriot Watt University and a PhD from the University of Bristol. During her PhD, Michelle was awarded with an industrial sponsorship enabling her to work within the research labs of a large, multinational pharmaceutical company. She was also awarded a research fellowship from the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science which involved spending time living in Kyoto and conducting research at the University of Kyoto in Japan.

Michelle is a member of IP Inclusive’s Women in IP committee where she is responsible for organising the groups quarterly coffee dates. She is also a mentor for the Social Mobility Foundation which is a charity which supports young people with the aim to make a practical improvement in social mobility. Outside of the office Michelle enjoys running and all things food and wine related. She is also an avid rugby fan and loves supporting her national team with daring and often vocal optimism.