Daniel Chew: Championing Innovation, Connectivity and the Global IP Community

From mobile communications research to global IP diplomacy, Daniel Chew’s career has been shaped by curiosity, connection, and commercial instinct. Now a partner at HLK and Chair of CIPA’s International Liaison Committee, his story is one of strategic thinking and a passion for building strong relationships – across borders, across professions, and across generations.

From PhD to Patent Attorney

Daniel Chew’s path to the patent profession began with an invention. During the first year of his PhD in mobile communications at the University of Surrey, Daniel was preparing to publish a breakthrough in a scientific journal, only to find the university blocked the submission in favour of filing a patent.

“I was frustrated,” he admits, “I just wanted to publish. I had no idea what a patent was, let alone that it could be licensed.” Fast forward a couple of years, and Daniel returned home one day to find a cheque and a letter telling him the university had licensed his patent. Shortly afterwards, the licensee offered him a job, an opportunity he accepted, though only briefly. Determined to pursue a career in the patent profession, he soon moved on. It was the beginning of a journey that would shape his future in Intellectual Property.

Building a Career on His Own Terms

Daniel’s early experiences shaped a mindset that would define his professional approach: one of independence, ambition, and a clear-eyed focus on business development. “I realised quite early on that in private practice, many attorneys inherit clients from retiring partners. I didn’t want to spend my career working only on other people’s clients.”

Determined to build his own practice, Daniel began networking as a trainee, attending events, building connections, and investing time after hours to grow his pipeline. “We talk a lot about the importance of client service, but when you’re the one making promises to new clients, you feel a real responsibility to deliver. That changes how you approach everything.”

After gaining experience at two other London based firms, Daniel joined HLK, where he quickly established his own client base. Before long, nearly all his work came from relationships he had built himself. He’s at his best when out meeting clients or on the conference circuit, listening, learning, and understanding what really drives their business. That hands-on approach, coupled with an instinct for connection, has become his hallmark and one of the keys to his success as a patent attorney.

Business Development as a Mindset

Daniel is a passionate advocate for embedding business development (BD) into the culture of IP firms. “It shouldn’t be something people only do for career progression. It should be a natural part of working in professional services. If you don’t have a network, you don’t have prospects. If you don’t have prospects, you can’t build a practice.”

“Business development takes practice, patience, confidence and resilience. The more you do, the more satisfying it becomes to give our clients the best. Afterall, it’s all about helping clients succeed.”

He’d like to see BD skills offered more formally, particularly to early-career professionals. “Whether you’re in-house or in private practice, soft skills like networking and relationship-building are essential,” he explains.

“At HLK, our attorneys are trained with these client relationships at an early stage in their careers,” he adds. “They continue to build on these skills by working closely with in-house teams, so that together we operate as one highly effective team.”

A President with Global Perspective

It was Daniel’s extensive international network, built through years of active engagement and collaboration within the IP community, that positioned him for his appointment as President of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) in 2023, making him the first person of Asian heritage to hold the role. “When I was first approached, I thought it was madness – I was in the middle of growing a busy practice. But I realised I could use my network to help promote CIPA globally.”

During his term, Daniel focused on raising CIPA’s international profile, connecting with sister organisations, patent offices, and industry leaders. One highlight was a meeting with then USPTO Director Kathi Vidal, whose energy and commitment to emerging technologies and diversity left a lasting impression.

He also undertook international missions across the USA and Asia, representing CIPA at major IP events and fostering collaborations that strengthened the UK’s standing in the global IP community. 

Strengthening the UK’s Voice Post-Brexit

Now Chair of CIPA’s International Liaison Committee, Daniel continues to ensure the UK profession remains visible and competitive on the world stage. A key focus has been demystifying the UK’s continued representation rights before the Unified Patent Court (UPC), which many overseas organisations initially misunderstood post-Brexit.

“The narrative has shifted,” he says. “At first we were explaining that UK-based European Patent Attorneys have rights of representation before the UPC. Now we’re showing that we are actively representing parties before the UPC and doing it well.”

Leadership, Representation and Representation

Daniel made history as CIPA’s first Asian President, a fact he initially found uncomfortable. “I hated it, to be honest. I’ve lived in the UK for 26 years, and it didn’t feel significant to me. But then someone from an ethnic minority background came up to me and said, ‘It made me believe it’s achievable.’ That really changed my view.”

He now sees it as a platform to inspire others and to demonstrate what leadership in the profession can look like.

Advice to Future IP Leaders

Daniel’s advice to young professionals is simple: get involved. “Be open-minded. Go to events. Build a network. You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunity might follow.”

He’s also a strong supporter of engaging with professional bodies. “CIPA has 23 committees – there’s something for everyone. It’s a great way to give back, learn, and build your presence in the profession.”

A Dolphin Trainer in Disguise?

Outside of work, Daniel loves hiking (most recently at Torrey Pines, California) and long walks near his home in St Albans. One of his most memorable business trips? A prospective client cutting straight to the chase: “Daniel, we know why you’re here. Just tell us what you can offer.” He laughs, that directness, he says, was a dream for someone who appreciates straight talking.

And while he once joked that, 21 years ago, back then hardly anyone knew what a patent attorney was, telling people his profession was the “ultimate conversation killer,” he’d instead tell curious strangers at bars that he was a dolphin trainer. Who knows, maybe there’s still time for that second career?

Meet Daniel at APAA 2025

Daniel will be attending the Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) 2025 Conference in Kuala Lumpur next month. If you’re also planning to be there and would like to connect, feel free to reach out via LinkedIn or say hello at one of the networking sessions.

Learn more about the event at apaa2025.com

HLK: Intellectual Property Experts

Daniel is a partner at HLK, a full-service intellectual property firm that helps clients around the world to protect, exploit, and defend their IP rights. HLK combines patent and trademark attorneys with a legal team to deliver strategic, technically informed advice across all sectors of innovation.

Learn more about HLK at www.hlk-ip.com

Contact Daniel directly on LinkedIn

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