Meet the IP Professional: Sam Judge – Calm advocacy in complex chemical patent work

Sam Judge is a partner and patent attorney at Page White Farrer, specialising in chemical and pharmaceutical patent work. With experience spanning drafting, prosecution, opposition and appeals, Sam brings a calm, analytical approach to complex matters, shaped by hands-on industry experience and a steady progression within a full-service IP firm.

Quick profile

Name: Sam Judge
Role: Partner and Patent Attorney
Firm: Page White Farrer
Location: London, UK
Areas of expertise: Chemical and pharmaceutical patents, drafting and prosecution, European oppositions and appeals, portfolio strategy

From chemistry to patents

Sam’s route into the patent profession began early, sparked by exposure to laboratory work before university. A short internship at the National Physical Laboratory introduced him to hands-on scientific research, but it also prompted some frank advice. Several colleagues suggested that patent law offered stronger long-term prospects for someone with a scientific background.

That advice stayed with him. While studying chemistry at university, Sam explored what the patent attorney role involved and recognised it as a good fit. He enjoyed theory and problem-solving more than lab work, and the profession offered a way to stay close to science without being tied to the bench.

Graduating during the financial crisis shaped his next steps. Sam spent time working in the pharmaceutical industry as an analytical chemist, gaining valuable practical experience before completing a postgraduate certificate in IP law. That combination helped him secure a traineeship and begin formal training in the profession.

Growing within one firm

Sam joined Page White Farrer in 2012 and has progressed from trainee to partner within the firm. He credits this development not to a single defining moment, but to a series of incremental experiences and supportive supervision along the way.

Early training played an important role. Having a patient and even-handed supervisor helped Sam persevere through the demanding exam process and build confidence in his developing skills. Over time, exposure to different senior colleagues also allowed him to observe and adopt approaches he admired, particularly in how technical arguments and amendments were presented.

A broad chemical practice

Today, Sam is the firm’s lead chemist. His work focuses primarily on pharmaceuticals, supported by experience in materials science and other chemical technologies that come across a varied client base. He handles drafting and prosecution work alongside European opposition matters, giving him a rounded view of how applications stand up under challenge.

That combination directly informs his approach. Seeing how claims are attacked in opposition helps him identify potential weaknesses during drafting. Equally, experience drafting broad claims provides insight into where opposing parties are likely to press their arguments. For Sam, these different strands of work reinforce each other rather than sitting in isolation.

Alongside technical work, Sam has become increasingly involved in business development. This includes speaking at conferences, engaging with clients directly, and expanding relationships internationally, particularly with contacts in India that have grown from inherited client work.

Keeping perspective under pressure

With experience comes confidence, and Sam describes a noticeable shift in how he now handles complex or high-stakes matters. Situations that might once have felt intimidating are approached calmly, informed by having seen similar issues before.

That does not mean taking the work lightly. Sam is acutely aware that the inventions he advises on often represent years of research and significant investment. However, he believes that staying calm is essential. Clients need clear thinking, and effective advocacy depends on identifying issues and addressing them methodically.

This mindset also extends to communication. Early in his career, Sam tended towards very formal written correspondence. Over time, he learned to adapt tone depending on the audience. The underlying principles have stayed the same; what has changed is the scale, with advice now often framed at portfolio level rather than around a single application.

Learning through teaching and mentoring

Although client work remains central, Sam also values the perspective gained from teaching and mentoring. Delivering occasional lectures and training sessions exposes him to unexpected questions that force a return to first principles. These moments highlight how concepts that feel routine to practitioners can be challenging for others.

Mentoring new starters serves a similar purpose. Being asked to explain why things are done in a certain way prompts reflection on habits formed through experience. For Sam, this helps avoid relying too heavily on instinct and keeps his reasoning sharp and explicit.

Watching the profession evolve

In terms of wider trends, Sam sees European patent practice as relatively stable. Incremental procedural debates continue, but no single issue dominates day-to-day advice. The area he is watching most closely is artificial intelligence. While there is significant discussion around generative AI and its potential role in drafting, Sam remains cautious but is open to its future impact.

Switching off beyond the office

Away from work, Sam has found very different ways to reset. Since mid-2024, he has been taking flying lessons in gliders, an experience he describes as worlds apart from patent law. While both involve precision and learning how systems work, flying requires quicker decision-making and physical coordination.

He also runs regularly, preferring to head out alone and set his own pace. Running offers a simple mental reset, with no structure beyond putting one foot in front of the other. Travel and hiking feature too, with memorable trips including Iceland and Japan, where scenery and food have been as much a draw as the destinations themselves.

Lessons learned

When asked what advice he would give to those earlier in their IP careers, Sam’s answer is consistent and deliberate: don’t panic. Patent work is, at its core, about advocacy. Understanding that, and learning how to apply it calmly, comes with time and experience.

If there is a single principle guiding his approach today, it is exactly that. Keep calm, focus on what needs to be done, and deal with each issue clearly and methodically.

Contact

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sdjudge/
Book a consultation: https://www.pagewhite.com/free-consultation

Meet the IP Professional is a PatWorld interview series exploring the people and perspectives shaping the intellectual property profession. Discover more interviews in the Meet the IP Professional hub, and find out more about PatWorld — a global IP search provider working with IP professionals worldwide to support informed patent, design and trade mark decisions — on our About Us page.