Michael Douglas has 25 years’ experience in the IP profession. He joined Wilson Gunn in 1999 and became a partner in 2007. Qualified and experienced in patents, trade marks and designs, Michael brings an appreciation of IP creation, protection and maintenance from all angles.
Michael specialises in medical inventions and biotechnology and also deals with chemical subject matter. He has considerable experience in direct advocacy work in oppositions and appeals at the European Patent Office.
He has extensive research experience, including investigation into putative DNA repair enzyme polymorphisms and development of novel immunosuppressive drugs. He was awarded a Ph.D. for his research into the role of vascular endothelial cells in acute transplant rejection, which also generated a significant number of research papers. Michael also has experience in clinical research, having worked as a postdoctoral research associate investigating the safety of proton-pump inhibitor drugs.
Michael manages global trade mark portfolios for a number of major brands, advising on everything from brand creation and protection strategies through to maintenance and enforcement of rights.
Michael has particular expertise in the fields of sports and entertainment, food and beverages, retail, fashion and industrial products.
Michael frequently advises clients on design and copyright protection.
University of Newcastle – B.Sc. (1st Class Hons) Biochemistry
University of Newcastle – Ph.D. Biochemistry
Chartered Patent Attorney
European Patent Attorney
Chartered Trade Mark Attorney
Band 1 : Intellectual Property: Trade Mark Attorneys
Chambers & Partners 2025
“Michael is simply magnificent. He is top-notch, really on his game and our go-to person.”
Chambers & Partners 2025
“Michael is loved by clients for his plain-speaking and commercial approach. He is really clever, and his way of boiling things down into practical and sensible advice is appreciated.”
Chambers & Partners 2025
“By far the best trade mark attorney around.”
The Legal 500, 2025
“Simply magnificent.”
The Legal 500, 2025
“Patent star”
Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars, 2024
“Trade mark star”
Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars, 2024
“Michael Douglas is best in the class. He has superb people skills, he is good to work with, and he offers practical and common sense advice. He is very strong in the consumer and retail goods sector.”
The Legal 500, 2024
“Patent star”
Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars, 2023
“Trade mark star”
Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars, 2023
“Michael Douglas has vast experience, is user-friendly, punchy and offers useful commercial advice. He is always at the top of his game.”
The Legal 500, 2023
“Michael Douglas and his team are superb. Superb attention to detail, commercial, friendly and proactive.”
The Legal 500, 2022
“Michael Douglas [is] particularly impressive”
The Legal 500, 2021
“He is top-notch – proactive, user-friendly and very commercial”
World Trade Mark Review 1000, 2020
“Key lawyer”
The Legal 500, 2020
“Michael Douglas is ‘a safe pair of hands’ and ‘clients love him’”
The Legal 500, 2019
“Michael Douglas is ‘exceptional – user friendly, pro-active, responsive and always provides commercial advice’. Douglas has particular expertise in the fields of sports and entertainment…”
The Legal 500, 2018
“Michael Douglas [is] highly recommended”
The Legal 500, 2017
“Michael Douglas ‘combines the skills and experience of a deep practitioner with a genial style’”
The Legal 500, 2016
“‘results-driven, proactive and extremely flexible’”
The Legal 500, 2015
