OBITUARY

Judy Merilyn Chowles John (1944 - 2009)

We regret to announce that Judy John, a partner in our Trade Marks Group, passed away on Sunday, 30th August 2009.

Judy originated from South Africa, where she graduated in Roman Law, History and Economics from the University of Cape Town in 1963. After gaining some experience in intellectual property matters, Judy came to the UK in 1965. Family matters took her back to South Africa, but she returned to the UK in 1973 and re-entered the IP profession in 1981. The late Richard Jenkins recruited her to our firm in 1983, where she qualified as a trade mark attorney in 1985. Judy was made a partner in 1996, though she had already enjoyed an equivalent status for some years.

Judy managed extensive trade mark portfolios and specialised in trade mark protection and enforcement in more unusual regions such as South East Asia, South and Central America, the CIS countries and the Caribbean.

Judy had many friends both within the UK profession and abroad, and was an active member of ITMA and INTA. She was also an examiner for the UK trade mark attorney qualifying examinations. In her professional life, Judy was disciplined and hard-working, keeping two secretaries constantly busy, but whatever her workload she was never daunted. Colleagues and friends will greatly miss her uniquely wry and detached sense of humour.

After a major operation in July 2005, Judy stepped back from active participation in the firm, though she kept in contact and attended social functions. She was due to retire in November, but unfortunately this year her cancer returned. Judy leaves behind two married daughters, Louise and Victoria, and seven grandchildren, by whom she will be greatly missed.