Catherine Hanratty

Catherine Hanratty

Director, Patents

Catherine Hanratty joined Murgitroyd in August 2021 following the acquisition of Hanna Moore + Curley by Murgitroyd. Catherine is a European Patent Attorney, an Irish Patent and Trade Mark Attorney, and a Community Trade Mark and Design Attorney with more than 20 years’ experience in Intellectual Property matters.

Catherine graduated from Queens University Belfast with BSc (Hons) and Master’s degrees in Physics with a specialisation in Optics and Optoelectronics. Her research work focussed on magneto-optical systems.

At the start of her career, Catherine spent several years as a Patent Examiner at the European Patent Office working in the technical area of imaging systems, mainly in the CPC fields of H04N (pictorial communication), G06F and G06K. In addition, during her time at the European Patent Office Catherine gained wide experience of patent data and information systems. Building on this background, Catherine has a particular interest in patent landscaping and opinion matters.

Catherine’s work in private practice primarily entails the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, IP strategy, and patent portfolio management for clients from local SME businesses to larger multi-national companies. Catherine works across several areas of technology, but with a particular focus on inventions in the fields of medical devices, health technology and digital health, optics, telecommunications, software and mechanical devices. Catherine also has significant experience of Examination, Opposition and Appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office.

Catherine is a member of the Irish Association of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (APTMA) and the EPI.

Catherine is based in our Dublin Office.

  • Medical devices
  • Health technology and digital health
  • Optics
  • Telecommunications
  • Software and mechanical devices

Key contributor to the team recognised as Leading

Décideurs Magazine's Leaders League - Ireland Best Law Firms & IP Agencies for IP Prosecution - 2024

Key Member of the Patent Prosecution Team awarded Tier 1

Managing IP, IP Stars Firm ranking 2024 - Patent Prosecution Ireland

Key contributor to our Technology, Media & Telecoms Team awarded Gold by the Financial Times

Financial Times European Leading Patent Law Firms - 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 & 2024

Seasoned patent attorney Catherine Hanratty leads pan-European oppositions at the group. Both a former EPO examiner and a physicist, her numerous high-profile patrons appreciate her wide-ranging experience and extensive legal knowledge.

IAM 1000 Research - 2023

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