Who we are
At First Thought IP, we believe that great ideas deserve great protection. For over 23 years, we have been helping innovators, businesses, and creators safeguard their intellectual property and transform it into commercial success.
Our Story
First Thought IP was founded in 2002 by Mark Milhench, who continues to lead the firm as Founder and Managing Partner. With a professional background spanning both law and physics, Mark brings a rare combination of legal expertise and technical insight to the practice of intellectual property.
Having studied physics before qualifying in law, Mark quickly recognized how crucial it was for inventors, researchers, and businesses to have legal partners who truly understood the science behind their innovations. That perspective shaped his vision for First Thought IP: a firm built to deliver rigorous legal protection while speaking the same language as the innovators it serves.
Our Growth
What began as a focused IP practice has, over the past two decades, grown into a trusted partner for clients across industries. From startups and product designers to technology companies and physics-driven research organisations, First Thought IP has supported clients at every stage of their journey — from idea to commercialisation.
Our Approach
We are more than a law firm. We are collaborators who help clients align their intellectual property with their broader business objectives.
Accessible: Clear, straightforward advice without unnecessary jargon.
Practical: Solutions tailored to your stage of growth and commercial goals.
Strategic: IP viewed not only as protection, but as a platform for innovation and advantage.
Our Commitment
Under Mark’s leadership, we remain committed to the principle on which the firm was founded: making intellectual property protection both powerful and practical.
Whether you are an entrepreneur with a new concept, a designer creating distinctive products, or a research team pushing the boundaries of physics, we are here to safeguard your ideas and help them thrive.
For more than two decades, clients have trusted us with their most valuable assets: their innovations. That trust continues to drive everything we do at First Thought IP
