Mr Mrs Miss Ms Dr Other

Ms
Emily
Thao

Senior Patent Attorney

London Office

Technology & Engineering

Telephone. +44(0) 207 776 5100
Email. ethao@hgf.com
UPC Representative
Our team of specialist European patent litigators, oppositions specialists and patent attorneys bring together an extensive depth of legal and technical knowledge and are qualified to represent you in the UPC.
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Experience

Emily is a European and UK Chartered Patent Attorney with broad exposure to direct client practice, from large multinationals to universities and SMEs. She has advised clients on global IP filing and prosecution strategy, and enjoys assisting SMEs in developing and managing their IP portfolio tailored to their commercial needs.

Emily has considerable experience in drafting patent applications and prosecuting them before the EPO and UKIPO, from filing applications through to Oral Proceedings. Her work spans the electronics sector, with a particular focus on computer-implemented technologies including AI, precision scientific instruments, automotive technologies and mechanical devices.

Aside from IP matters, Emily also takes a keen interest in STEM outreach. She has enjoyed regularly participating in school outreach events, which has involved leading workshops and talks in order to promote STEM subjects and the IP profession. Before entering the profession, Emily carried out research investigating diversity and equality in the NHS, and her resulting report was subsequently published by “GovToday”.

Emily joined HGF in November 2018 as a part qualified UK and European patent attorney. Prior to HGF, she worked for two other IP firms, with a focus on electronics and mechanical devices.

Emily graduated from the University of Liverpool with a first class master’s degree in Astrophysics. During her master’s research project, she investigated transient sources using the Liverpool Telescope on La Palma. Emily also completed a research placement at the University of Leicester, where she calibrated the University’s optical telescope and designed a user manual for the undergraduates.

Specialisms

Industries

Services

Qualifications

Patent Attorney

Chartered (UK)
Europe

MPHYS

Astrophysics, 1st Class (Hons), University of Liverpool

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

Intellectual Property Law PGCert, Queen Mary University of London

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

Machine Learning Specialisation, Stanford University

Publications

A New Era for AI Patents in the UK: Supreme Court Aligns with the EPO

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Bite-sized MBA Course

View publication online

Quantum Sensors: A Booming Market

View publication online

Patentability of simulations in Europe

View publication online

CSR

Emily takes a keen interest in STEM outreach, and has enjoyed regularly participating in school outreach events, including leading workshops and talks in order to promote STEM subjects and the IP profession.

In addition to supporting day-to-day mentoring of trainees in her team, Emily also initiated and coordinated HGF’s 2021 mentoring sessions to prepare candidates taking the pre-EQE foundation exams.

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HGF are Gold Sponsors of IPBC Europe 2026

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HGF Brand & Design Conference 2026

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