


Oliver Laing
Oliver leads high-stakes intellectual property (IP) litigation and complex IP-centric transactions, particularly in the life sciences and technology sectors. He advises global clients on strategic IP matters, combining legal expertise with commercial insight to deliver pragmatic, business-focused solutions.
Oliver advises clients on a wide range of intellectual property matters, from litigating complex patent disputes in the UK and the Unified Patent Court (UPC) to negotiating high-value IP transactions. His daily work includes drafting and negotiating multi-territorial collaboration agreements, licensing deals and other IP-centric commercial arrangements, as well as conducting IP due diligence for technology-rich investments.
He works closely with clients in the life sciences, electronics and computing sectors, offering strategic advice on IP protection, exploitation and enforcement.
Oliver was drawn to intellectual property law by a fascination with innovation and the commercial value of ideas. He joined Potter Clarkson in 2016 to help build the firm’s litigation and licensing practice.
He understands the needs of in-house counsel, having completed a six-month secondment with a global pharmacy-led health and beauty group, and he plays a leading role in the firm’s work across Scandinavia, particularly in cross-border licensing and collaboration deals.
Oliver is recognised as a leading IP lawyer by Managing IP (MIP) IP STARS, Legal 500, Chambers and Partners and IAM Patent 1000.
- ToolGen v Vertex Pharmaceuticals & ors [2025] (ongoing), CRISPR technology
- Experian v Buzz Networks [2024], Norwich Pharmacal Order
- Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine v Healios & ors, UPC_CFI_80/2023, methods for culturing retinal epithelial cells (UPC litigation)
- FibroGen v Akebia Therapeutics [2021] EWCA Civ 1279, hypoxia-inducible-factor inhibitors for treating anaemia (Court of Appeal)
- Akebia Therapeutics v (1) FibroGen (2) Astellas [2020] EWHC 866 (Pat), hypoxia-inducible-factor inhibitors for treating anaemia
- The Wave Studio & Ors v General Hotel Management & 163 ors [2019], lead defendant in copyright infringement claim issued against 164 defendants
- Silence Therapeutics v Alnylam Pharmaceuticals [2018], RNA interference (gene silencing)
- Philips Lighting v (1) Megaman (2) Neonlite International [2017], dimmable LED technology
- Kennametal Inc v Pramet Tools Sro & Anor [2014] EWHC 1438 (Pat), metal cutting tools
Services
- PGDip, Intellectual Property Law and Practice, University of Oxford
- Legal Practice Course, Nottingham Law School
- LLB, University of Sheffield
Oliver delivers understandable, high-quality work products. He is fast and responsive, which makes working with him very easy.
Oliver is very experienced in handling sophisticated matters with an eye on the global impact.
Laing is a practical and strategic practitioner with exceptional communication skills, consistently delivering impressive results for his following in both high-stakes litigation and complex multi-jurisdictional agreements.
Oliver is an excellent solicitor and extremely knowledgeable.
Oliver is great at his role and understood our requirements in depth.
Oliver is a real help. He always explains things clearly and promptly.
The firm has been strategic and commercially astute in all aspects of intellectual property matters that they have overseen or been involved with for our business in the UK. They have provided a first-class service since their appointment and have been instrumental in progressing valuable intellectual property rights we developed in the UK. They have been thorough, insightful and responsive to our needs. In particular, I have worked with Oliver Laing closely since their appointment and always found him to be a sound and strategic leader. His ability to combine strong technical yet practical direction with the details of management of his team allowed him to deal with our instructions extremely competitively and efficiently, which has been excellent value for money, whilst still being extremely responsive to our entire team.
Laing has multi-jurisdictional collaboration and licensing agreements within the life sciences realm sewn up. He is also an engine of the firm’s thriving Scandinavian business and brings insight from a secondment at a world-leading health and beauty group.
Oliver Laing has got it all: “outstanding technical ability under constant time pressures”, a “strategic commercial approach” and the “ability to deal with the anxieties of clients in a professionally empathetic manner."
- Chambers & Partners: Up and coming
- Legal 500: Leading Partner
- Legal 500: Next Generation Partner
- IAM Patent 1000: Litigation
- IAM Patent 1000: Transactions
- MIP IP STARS: Trade Mark Star
- MIP IP STARS: Transactions Star
- MIP IP STARS: IP Star
- MIP EMEA Awards (2023): IP Stars Practitioner of the Year (2023)
About Oliver
Experience
Areas of expertise
Qualifications
Testimonials
Awards

How We Live Our Values: Ambition
Working across both IP litigation and transactions gives me a rounded perspective, with each informing the other. It allows me to focus on what matters most commercially, which is central to how we help clients use IP as a tool for achieving strategic business goals.
In My Own Words
What I love most about my job is the sheer variety it offers. One day I might be deep in the detail of a biotech patent dispute, and the next I am helping a client structure a multi-jurisdictional collaboration to bring a new technology to market. No two days are the same, and that keeps things exciting.
I work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, whether they are developing life-saving therapies, building cutting-edge AI solutions, or creating iconic consumer brands. It is a privilege to be part of their journey and to help them protect and commercialise what makes them unique.
But what really makes it rewarding is the people. I am lucky to work with incredibly smart, creative and driven clients and colleagues. Solving complex problems together and seeing the real-world impact of our work is what makes it all worthwhile.
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