Christopher J. Hall, Ph.D.

Chris has extensive experience in prosecuting patent applications before the European Patent Office (EPO) while also coordinating worldwide patent strategies. He works closely with clients at all stages throughout the patent lifecycle and understands the importance that a well-drafted patent can have in facilitating robust prosecution and success in the face of validity challenges. Chris particularly enjoys working on EPO opposition and appeal proceedings, especially in multidisciplinary areas. In addition to his experience before the EPO, he prepares freedom-to-operate (FTO) and validity opinions, as well as advises clients on patent portfolio management and broader intellectual property (IP) strategy. 

Before joining Finnegan, Chris trained with a London-based patent firm, where he focused on European patent prosecution, including work on behalf of one of the world’s largest smartphone manufacturers. Prior to entering the legal profession, Chris completed both his master’s degree and doctorate at the University of Oxford in the field of synthetic organic chemistry. He concentrated on the development of novel synthetic methodologies and their application to total synthesis, resulting in multiple scientific publications.