Partner
James (Jim) Bell is both a European and U.S. patent attorney. He focuses on patent prosecution, portfolio development and management, application drafting, client counseling, and oppositions and appeals before the European Patent Office (EPO). Jim predominantly handles subject matter in the fields of electronics and mechanical engineering and has extensive experience in dealing with the nuances of prosecuting computer implemented inventions in both Europe and the United States.
With more than eighteen years of intellectual property experience, Jim has a wide spectrum of technical expertise, particularly in the fields of telecommunications, machine learning, cryptography, cybersecurity, automotive, medical devices, and renewable energy. His experience extends to advising and managing worldwide filing programs for a range of entities, from large international corporations to small family-owned businesses. Jim approaches portfolio development and management strategically with a global, "business-first" perspective, providing advice targeted to achieve desirable outcomes for clients. Jim has taught several courses in patent law at the Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies (CEIPI) as well as provided similar education opportunities for client engineers.
Prior to his legal career, Jim worked as a software engineer and entrepreneur, managing his own software consultancy firm for almost ten years. His lifelong curiosity for technology and a desire to help technology-driven companies protect and exploit their innovations led to a career in patent law.
Articles
European Patent Office Fee Increases: What Applicants Must Know European Patent Office Fee Increases: What Applicants Must Know
April 13, 2026
World Intellectual Property ReviewWebinar
Claim Amendments: A Global Perspective Claim Amendments: A Global Perspective
April 24, 2025
Webinar
Roundtable
Patent Prosecution Roundtable – Learning from Litigators Patent Prosecution Roundtable – Learning from Litigators
April 3, 2025
Paris
Conference
Best Practices and Tech in Intellectual Property Conference Best Practices and Tech in Intellectual Property Conference
March 24-25, 2025
Tel Aviv
Webinar
From Patent Basics to Commercial Success: Insights on Patents and Business Growth From Patent Basics to Commercial Success: Insights on Patents and Business Growth
February 12, 2025
Webinar
Articles
Breaking Down the EPO's Revised Practice Guidelines Breaking Down the EPO's Revised Practice Guidelines
April 29, 2024
Law360Press Release
Finnegan Announces Six New Partners to Strengthen Global IP Leadership Finnegan Announces Six New Partners to Strengthen Global IP Leadership
January 5, 2026
Announcement
Finnegan Announces 2025 Mentors of the Year Finnegan Announces 2025 Mentors of the Year
December 19, 2025
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