James D Brown
Director, Patents, Head of Pricing
James Brown has headed up the Energy Team in Aberdeen, the energy capital of Europe, since 1995. As a European Patent Attorney, his practice deals with all aspects of intellectual property law – patents, trade marks, copyrights, registered and unregistered design rights and trade secrets/confidentiality matters. There’s a specific emphasis on UK/European and overseas prosecution, opposition practice (including negotiating settlement of disputes) and client advisory work, including IP portfolio acquisition and development.
With extensive expertise in most areas of intellectual property law, James is actively involved in mentoring colleagues in a number of offices throughout the Murgitroyd network. He has spoken at numerous seminars, and spends considerable time advising clients on how to protect their key technology, manage their portfolios and handle conflicts with competitors from a commercial point of view.
James has an extensive background in various technological fields, particularly in relation to the energy industry, including renewables (tidal/wave/wind power) and oil and gas. He has been involved in a variety of patent matters (including litigation cases) relating to downhole tools and processes like wellbore cleanup tools, flow diverters, sand screens, drill bits, drilling jars and energisers.
He is also very experienced with sliding sleeves, multi-lateral well equipment and many more hydrocarbon extraction areas, as well as general mechanical and engineering technology in the agricultural industry.
James is Associate Member of the University of Aberdeen Centre for Commercial Law.
- Core Expertise
- Memberships
- Qualifications
Sector expertise
- Mechanical and electrical engineering
- Oil and gas
- Renewables
- Energy
- Subsea Technologies
Key contributor to the team recognised as Highly Recommended by WIPR
WIPR UK Patent Rankings 2025
Key contributor to the team recognised in the Top Patent Law Firm Rankings
The Patent Lawyer Magazine - 2024 & 2025
His energy sector knowledge is second-to-none, enabling him to support a much wider commercial IP strategy.
Legal 500 2024 Research Insights
He is responsive and available, which allows projects to be driven forward quickly and takes pressure off of professional collaborators.
Legal 500 2024 Research Insights
A standout partner in the practice is James Brown. He shows a level of dedication to his clients which puts him amongst the most hard-working individuals that I have encountered in professional services.
Legal 500 2024 Research Insights
Recognised by IAM, Strategy 300 Global Leader, 2024
Ranked in Energy/fuel, Engineering/construction, IAM/IC, IP management consultancy, Legal, Licensing
Key Member of the Patent Prosecution Team awarded Tier 1
Managing IP, IP Stars Firm ranking 2024 & 2025 - Patent Prosecution Scotland
A standout partner in the practice is James Brown. He shows a level of dedication to his clients which puts him amongst the most hard-working individuals that I have encountered in professional services. He is responsive and available which allows projects to be driven forward quickly and takes pressure off of professional collaborators.
Partner, Leading UK Law Firm
My work with Murgitroyd has centred around technology deployed in the energy sector. They have exceptional strength in the area. Not only is their technical and legal expertise first-class, they also understand the sector from a commercial and operational point of view.
This allows them to give tailored support to meet their clients' needs.
Partner, UK Law Firm
I am very happy with all the contents of the IP Audit. I only need to mention that I noticed a remarkable willingness to help, and an outstanding professionalism.
Scottish Enterpreneur
Thank you very much for the update and for all of your help. We are very excited to be able to now show the tool off in all its glory.
Finance Director and Co-Owner, Tooling Manufacturer
Many thanks James, we appreciate the effort at short notice. Our design is starting to gain interest from other companies and this will allow us to talk to them with more confidence.
Research & Development Manager on grant of an application, Oil & Gas Company
Key contributor to our Mechanical Engineering Team awarded Gold by the Financial Times
Financial Times European Leading Patent Law Firms - 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025
