Zachary Jelley
Partner

Zachary is a UK and European Patent Attorney specializing in drafting and prosecuting patent applications for electronic and computer-implemented inventions. He works closely with clients to develop and implement patent protection strategies, with particular expertise in high-quality patent drafting and portfolio development.

Zachary's practice is centred on drafting and prosecuting patent applications, particularly in highly technical areas spanning electronics and software. He has extensive experience managing international patent portfolios, working closely with clients to identify commercially valuable innovations and develop effective protection strategies. He is particularly adept at reviewing invention disclosures to identify patentable subject matter and practical routes to securing intellectual property rights. Over the past two and a half years, he has personally prepared or supervised the preparation of more than 300 patent specifications, reflecting both the scale of his drafting practice and the confidence clients place in him to deliver consistently high-quality work within demanding timescales. He is known for building long-term client relationships and is frequently relied upon as an extension of clients' in-house teams.

Zachary's practice focuses on electronics and computer-implemented inventions, encompassing a broad range of complex technologies requiring detailed technical understanding and precise patent drafting.

Zachary joined Elkington + Fife in 2014 and qualified as both a UK and European Patent Attorney in 2018. In the European Qualifying Examination, he achieved the highest aggregate mark of any candidate worldwide. He holds a first class MEng in Electronic Engineering from the University of Southampton, where he led an award-winning research project on silica and received both the Zepler Prize and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Prize for outstanding academic performance.

Zachary is recognised as a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500. Clients describe him as "very available, engaged and extremely intelligent," noting his willingness to balance strong patent drafting with commercial objectives. They also praise him as "easy to work with, very professional," and someone who appears personally invested in the success of their projects.

Education

MEng Electronic Engineering (1st Class Hons) – University of Southampton