Russell Woolley

Russell is a patent attorney in the Chemistry team at Carpmaels & Ransford, with a particular focus on energy storage and conversion technologies, including lithium‑ion batteries. Drawing on a PhD researching fuel cell electrodes, he advises clients across the full life cycle of energy technologies, from early‑stage innovation through to global portfolio management and enforcement strategy. He is particularly recognised for his work on battery technologies, where his technical depth and contentious insight allow him to shape portfolios that anticipate future enforcement and freedom‑to‑operate risks.

Alongside his energy practice, Russell has a strong reputation for contentious patent work, particularly in technically complex and commercially sensitive matters. He was lead counsel responsible for the revocation by the EPO Board of Appeal of a platform patent relating to lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of mRNA vaccines – a market-moving result, given that the patent was being enforced at the UPC.

Russell is responsible for drafting and managing international patent portfolios in the energy sector and regularly advises on freedom‑to‑operate. He acts for a wide range of clients, from established industry players to start‑ups filing their first patent applications. His portfolios are built to withstand scrutiny: clients have secured major investment following in‑depth due diligence assessing the strength and resilience of patent portfolios he has drafted and prosecuted.

Russell applies his contentious experience directly to his energy practice. He has coordinated third‑party observations against numerous patent applications in the battery field, identifying prior art and objections missed by patent offices and achieving commercially meaningful claim limitations. His approach is concise and cost‑effective, an important consideration when acting for early‑stage companies operating under tight budgets.

Russell has also led numerous offensive and defensive opposition proceedings concerning phospholipids for nutraceutical uses, securing the revocation of potentially field‑blocking patents and defending claims protecting commercial products and processes which have survived without amendment.

Russell also advises on and implements pan‑European filing strategies for supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), with a particular specialism in SPCs for radiopharmaceuticals.

Russell studied chemistry at the University of Oxford, specialising in inorganic chemistry, where he was awarded a first‑class degree and graduated top of his college. He completed his PhD at Imperial College London, researching fuel cell electrodes, publishing several peer‑reviewed articles and receiving a prize for his doctoral thesis.