OUR TEAM
Jamie leads the firm’s intellectual property & technology (IP&T) team, as well as the life sciences group. He is a specialist in both intellectual property law and cybersecurity, accredited by the Law Society of Scotland, and a specialist in international trade marks, certified by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
His expertise includes trade marks & brand management (including anti-counterfeiting), patent law, pharmaceuticals and medical devices (including their regulatory regimes), aquaculture and marine technology, blockchain and decentralised network innovation, software, IT/ICT and the internet, and music, entertainment, sports and publishing.
In addition, the European Commission has recognised Jamie as an expert in intellectual property under the Horizon programme, and previously under Framework Programmes FP5 to FP7. He has advised both the European Commission on commercialisation policy and the OECD on open access policy. He has also assisted extensively with the development of IP related legislation at both the Scottish and UK parliaments.
Prior to joining the firm he was the in-house IP manager at a leading Scottish university. He has also worked in-house for a major independent record label and an artist management company.
Jamie has extensive experience of cross-border work and foreign jurisdictions, particularly the US, Netherlands, India and China. He also coordinates the Netherlands country desk, part of Harper Macleod’s international offering.
He contributes regularly to journals such as Sports Law and Taxation on international IP-related matters.
Jamie is rated as an expert in trade mark matters by World Trade Mark Review, which comments that he “is highly skilled and experienced within the trademarks field, and has an impressively broad practice”.
Jamie is ranked as a “Top Ranked Lawyer” in Intellectual Property and Media & Entertainment by Chambers UK, one of the UK’s leading independent legal directories. He is a “Leading Partner” in Intellectual Property as well as a “Recommended Lawyer” in IT & Telecoms, Media & Entertainment, and Sport according to The Legal 500, clients describe him as “always giving good advice.” and “a team player.”
He was previously shortlisted for Up-and-Coming Lawyer of the Year at the Law Awards of Scotland and was part of the team shortlisted for Commercial Team of the Year at previous British Legal Awards. He has been named as an IP Star by Managing IP since 2014.
"Jamie is very good to work with and highly responsive. He understands the issues and helps to resolve them for the client. Excellent commercial and legal knowledge and grasp of local practice."
"A generous offer from Jamie in terms of time and a calm manner makes him a favourite with us."
"Jamie is always impeccably prepared for meetings, demonstrates exceptional problem-solving skills and possesses detailed knowledge of the industry."
"Jamie Watt is excellent."
"Jamie Watt is always very reactive and true professional."
"Jamie Watt is always responsive to my needs and has been proactive in making new and alternative suggestions to progress and resolve matters. He has helped us secure commercially valuable deals, providing advice both informative and effective."
"Jamie Watt goes the extra mile. Client first, rather than billing."
"Jamie Watt is exceptionally knowledgeable, well-informed and commercially minded in a refreshing way."
"Jamie Watt's work on our international trademark campaign has been outstanding."
"Jamie Watt is experienced in a wide range of areas and I can always pick up the phone to him if I have a question, no matter how big or small. He always delivers pitch-perfect advice with a deft commercial touch."
"Jamie Watt is an excellent commercial lawyer offering sound, sensible and pragmatic advice that goes to the heart of the issue at hand. His communication style is efficient and to the point, which makes it clear and easy to understand."
"Jamie Watt is an excellent commercial lawyer offering sound, sensible and pragmatic advice that goes to the heart of the issue at hand."
"Jamie Watt is responsive, vastly experienced and delivers spot on advice through a commercial lens."
"Jamie Watt is instrumental in navigating complex issues for his client’s business."
"I have been dealing with Jamie Watt from Harper Macleod who has been great with all the advice I was needing to help me. Very professional and listened to my case and always got back to me."
"Incisive feedback which raises lateral ways of approaching complex problems."
"Jamie Watt is an excellent professional, smart, responsive and pragmatic."
"Jamie Watt’s communication style is efficient and to the point, which makes it clear and easy to understand."
"He is highly skilled and experienced within the trademarks field, and has an impressively broad practice".
"Jamie Watt and Tom Thomas are very approachable, which makes it easy to work with them."
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