By Iain Russell, Patent Attorney & Director at Russell IP (BSc, CPA, EPA, FRSA – 20 years’ experience in computer-implemented inventions, AI, telecommunications and music technology).
Published: June 2026
Last updated: June 2026
We are delighted to share that Russell IP has been independently recognised in the Financial Times’ Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2026. This is a survey-based ranking of patent attorney firms across Europe, compiled by the Financial Times in partnership with the research company Statista.
For a boutique firm focused on technology innovations – including AI, machine learning, computer-implemented inventions, telecommunications, and music technology – being named alongside much larger European practices is a recognition we are particularly proud of.
In this post, we’ll explain what the ranking is, how firms are selected, and why this matters for the inventors, founders, and businesses we work with.
A note on this post: This article is general information about an industry ranking. It is not legal advice. If you would like to discuss your invention or patent strategy with us, please contact Russell IP.
Contents
- What is the Financial Times’ Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms ranking?
- How are firms selected? Why this is not a pay-to-play award
- Why this recognition matters
- A thank you to our clients and peers
- What this means for clients considering Russell IP
- Looking ahead
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Financial Times’ Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms Ranking?
Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms is an annual ranking, published by the Financial Times in partnership with Statista, that identifies the most-recommended patent attorney firms across Europe for patent prosecution and patent strategy work. The latest edition covers firms operating in six broad technology sectors, including IT & Software and Electrical Engineering & Physics – the areas most relevant to Russell IP’s client base.
The ranking has been published annually since 2019 and has become one of the more widely-cited independent benchmarks of European patent attorney practices.
How Are Firms Selected? Why This Is Not A Pay-To-Play Award
Firms are selected based on an independent survey of around 3,000 patent attorneys and clients across Europe, run by Statista on behalf of the Financial Times. Only firms employing registered European Patent Attorneys, and which reach a minimum threshold of independent recommendations, are eligible to appear in the published list.
A few features of the methodology are worth highlighting:
- The ranking is recommendation-based, drawing on the opinions of peers (other patent attorneys) and clients who have actually instructed firms on real patent work.
- Firms cannot pay to be included, and there is no application fee.
- Russell IP did not apply, lobby, or submit any materials to be considered for this ranking. We were recognised solely on the back of independent recommendations.
For us, that last point is the meaningful one. It is one thing to win an award you nominated yourself for; it is another to be named in a list that you had no hand in influencing.
Why This Recognition Matters
For a firm of our size, being independently recognised in a Europe-wide survey is a strong third-party endorsement of the work our clients and peers have seen us deliver. It reflects:
- Continued growth. Russell IP has been building its client base steadily since launch, particularly among UK and European technology businesses working in AI, machine learning, software, telecommunications, and music technology.
- Specialist focus. Our practice is deliberately concentrated on technology innovations – the areas where deep technical understanding makes a real difference to drafting, prosecution, and strategic advice.
- Client and peer trust. Recommendations from the people we work with day-to-day, and from other patent attorneys, are the most honest form of feedback we receive.
A Thank You To Our Clients And Peers
We are very grateful to everyone who recommended us in this, or in any other, independent ranking. Patent work is a long-term, collaborative process. Recommendations from clients and peers reflect not just individual matters but years of working together to protect technology innovations.
If you have worked with us, recommended us, or referred someone to us: thank you.
What This Means For Clients Considering Russell IP
For prospective clients comparing patent attorney firms, independent rankings can be a useful – though not definitive – input. They can indicate which firms are visible to, and well-regarded by, their peers and existing clients. They are not, by themselves, a substitute for speaking to a firm directly, understanding how they would handle your specific technology, and judging whether the working relationship feels right.
We always encourage prospective clients to have an initial, no-obligation conversation before instructing any firm, including us.
Looking Ahead
This recognition is encouraging, but our focus remains where it has always been: drafting strong patent applications for genuinely innovative technology, and giving clients honest, commercially-grounded advice on patent strategy. We’ll continue to publish guidance on UK, European and international patent practice, particularly in the areas where our clients are building, including AI, computer-implemented inventions, and music technology.
You can read more about our work in these areas on our Our Services and Our Expertise pages.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal advice. For tailored guidance, please contact Russell IP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Financial Times’ Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms ranking?
It is an annual ranking, published by the Financial Times in partnership with Statista, that identifies the most-recommended patent attorney firms across Europe for patent prosecution and patent strategy services. The ranking has run annually since 2019 and is based on independent survey results from patent attorneys and clients across Europe. Russell IP has been recognised in the 2026 edition.
How is the ranking decided?
It is decided by an independent survey of around 3,000 patent attorneys and clients across Europe, conducted by Statista on behalf of the Financial Times. Only firms employing registered European Patent Attorneys and reaching a minimum threshold of recommendations are eligible to appear. Firms cannot pay to be included.
Did Russell IP apply for this ranking?
No. Russell IP did not apply, nominate itself, or submit any materials to be considered. The recognition is based entirely on independent recommendations from clients and peers, which is why we view it as a meaningful third-party endorsement rather than a self-promotional exercise.
What does this recognition mean for Russell IP’s clients?
For clients, the recognition is an independent signal that Russell IP is well-regarded by peers and clients across Europe for patent prosecution and strategy work. It is not a guarantee of any particular outcome on a patent application – since every invention and patent strategy is different – but it can be a useful data point when choosing a patent attorney.
What areas of technology does Russell IP specialise in?
Russell IP specialises in protecting technology innovations, with particular focus on AI, machine learning, computer-implemented inventions, software, telecommunications, and music technology. The firm is led by Iain Russell, a UK and European Patent Attorney with over 20 years’ experience in these areas.
Can Russell IP help me with my patent application?
In many cases, yes. Russell IP works with founders, inventors, and technology businesses on UK, European and international patent applications, from first filings through to grant and beyond. The best starting point is usually a free, no-obligation initial discussion to understand your invention and what protection might be appropriate. Get in touch with Russell IP to arrange a conversation.
Where can I read the full Financial Times ranking?
The full Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2026 ranking is published by the Financial Times, with the underlying research conducted by Statista. The published list and methodology are available on the Financial Times’ website.
