Richard Jenkins 1935 - 2007

Friends and colleagues of Richard Jenkins will be saddened to learn that he passed away on Friday 26th January.

Richard was born in 1935, just two years before his father founded the firm that bears his name. Having read Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford, he had originally intended to be an economist and his first job was with the Wool Secretariat. Later, he was on the point of emigrating to Australia, having been offered a job at the World Bank. Instead, he entered the patent profession, joining his father to help run the practice from the London office.

Although he qualified as a patent agent, Richard found himself increasingly drawn to trade mark work and he was instrumental in establishing the firm as one of the UK’s leading trade mark practices. Through extensive travel, often accompanied by his wife Kay, he built up a wide network of associates around the world, many of whom became close friends of the family.

With a keen intellect, Richard was a shrewd advocate. His manner was direct and decisive, but he had a knack of making people he spoke to feel important. His work brought him often into contact with members of the Bar, with whom he was particularly fond of lively debate.

Like his father, who had been a Corinthian footballer, Richard was a gifted sportsman. He won a half blue at Oxford for gymnastics and for many years led the squash team at Surbiton, whom he also represented at tennis. He took up golf relatively late - allegedly aided by an apparatus that he patented for a client! - playing at Tyrrells Wood off a handicap of 11. With David Harriss of Bird & Bird and George Hamer of 8 New Square, he inaugurated the annual triangular tennis match between agents, solicitors and the bar, which is now in its 19th year.

In 1997 Richard retired from his position as senior partner of the firm in which he had served for most of his working life. In his last years, he had the misfortune to be afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease, which deprived him of the pleasure of seeing his grandchildren growing up. Richard was greatly admired and will be fondly remembered by a wide circle of family, friends and colleagues.