Henry Wheare

Practice Areas

Henry Wheare is a solicitor qualified in England & Wales and Hong Kong with a wealth of experience as a trusted adviser and intellectual property pioneer in Asia. After qualifying in London, he moved to Hong Kong in 1985, where he has since practised as a Hong Kong solicitor in leading firms respected for their intellectual property practices. He has been a partner with Nixon Peabody CWL since 2018 representing regional and global clients in Hong Kong, mainland China and elsewhere. Although a definite all-rounder, he has particular interest and experience in patents, technology and competition law. He also manages a team dedicated to global trade mark and patent/design protection.

Mr. Wheare's focus is on the prosecution and enforcement of IP rights with an emphasis on portfolio structuring, litigation strategy and problem solving, especially those involving cross-border solutions using traditional and ADR means of resolving disputes. He also has up to date experience in structuring and negotiating transactional IP matters such as licences, technology transfers regulatory issues and other legal challenges associated with new technologies. In addition, he advises on issues relating to antitrust law and compliance, including where there is an overlap with intellectual property. His interests are broad ranging covering life sciences, technology, fashion, music and entertainment.

In relation to competition law, he advises on legal aspects of anti-competitive conduct and compliance, especially where there is an overlap with intellectual property (i.e., in relation to patent licensing), and works with both professional and industry associations to promote awareness in these sectors.

Career

Current: Partner Nixon Peabody CWL, Hong Kong

MA Law Jesus College, Cambridge

College of Law, Guildford

Associate McKenna & Co (London and Hong Kong

Partner Johnson Stokes & Master (Hong Kong)

Partner Hogan Lovells (Hong Kong, China and Vietnam)

Professional Memberships

Mr Wheare works with both professional and industry associations to promote awareness in all IP sectors.

Member of the Law Society of Hong Kong’s Committee on Competition Law

Member, Council Member and Treasurer Hong Kong Group of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association (past President)

Member APAA Legal Advisory Committee

Member and Council Member Hong Kong Institute of Patent Practitioners

Member Hong Kong Institute of Trade Mark Practitioners

Honorary Legal Adviser HK Association of Pharmaceutical Industries

Lecturer Intellectual Property Law (1993-4) University of Hong Kong

Adjunct Professor Competition and Intellectual Property Law (2009-12) Polytechnic University of Hong Kong

Asia Regional Chair Global Intellectual Property Alliance, an independent, non-profit global alliance of IP enthusiasts dedicated in promoting the power of IP to improve lives and create a more prosperous, healthy and sustainable future.

Personal

Mr Wheare was awarded the Association of Patent Attorneys Enduring Impact Award for Engagement, Contribution and Loyalty in 2018.

He was the Cambridge coxswain in the 1974 Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race. He competed for Great Britain. His crew won the

1974 Henley Regatta Prince Philip Challenge Cup at Henley in 1984 and he coxed the GB Silver Medal lightweight eight at the 1976 World Rowing Championships. He was Honorary Secretary of the Hong Kong Amateur Rowing Association.

He is the youngest son of the distinguished academic Sir Kenneth Wheare, former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University and Chancellor of Liverpool University.