In 2011, Charlotte Watkins and Jason Boakes had the idea of setting up a boutique firm of patent and trade mark attorneys to provide an alternative to the big firms.
They defined a forward-thinking approach to IP protection and enforcement, whilst maintaining a high quality, client-focused outlook. They knew they could offer the professionalism of the big firms without the high running costs and were keen to create a working environment where people enjoy being at work and feel supported and valued.
Secerna was born.
People often ask where our company name comes from. It is based on the Latin transitive verb “Secern”, meaning to separate or distinguish. We spend a lot of our time trying to distinguish what has and hasn’t been invented or created and how that is different from what the world has known before.
Did you know that swordsmiths were the first to mark their work to identify the creator? That’s why the swords feature in the Secerna brand identity, as well as representing the essence of the work we do: protecting and enforcing the rights of our clients. The crossed swords were designed to look a little like a star, indicating our desire to be a guiding light through the complexities of the IP landscape.
The colours in the Secerna brand represent the red, white, and blue associated with the tradition and reputation of Great Britain and the industry’s professional bodies – with a twist, to acknowledge the modern approach we take to our work.
Today, we work with clients across the world, helping them develop robust IP strategies that are both commercially driven and cost effective.
Find out more about our approach.
