The office will be led by former Accenture in-house counsel Dermot Roche.

Secerna, which has offices in York and Newcastle and marks its 10th year in business this month, supports a growing worldwide client base of multi-national corporations, FTSE and NYSE listed companies, universities, spin-out companies, small businesses and innovators.

The new office will support the firm’s continued growth across Europe, the US and the Far East.

Mr Roche has more than 20 years’ experience in the patent profession across Europe. Specialising in computer-implemented inventions and medical technology, he spent 14 years working in private practice in Ireland and the UK.

He added: “This is an exciting opportunity to extend the reach of an experienced, established and respected team of intellectual property specialists in a new market.

“Over the last decade Secerna has earned its reputation for deep sector experience and commercially focused advice, and I’m looking forward to building on these foundations to help the firm continue its impressive growth.”

Secerna chairman Jason Boakes said, “ We are thrilled to welcome Dermot to the team to help us take the next step in Secerna’s continued evolution and build on our track record of international work.