Obituary: remembering Nicholas Malden
It is with great sadness that we inform you that our dear friend, colleague and partner Nicholas Malden passed away in February. Nick’s kindness, humour and intelligence will be sorely missed.
Nick joined D Young & Co in 2005 after a promising academic career in high energy physics research. After qualifying as a UK and European patent attorney in 2009, Nick was made partner in 2011. Although proficient in virtually every aspect of physics, electronics and engineering, Nick had a particular fondness for patents relating to computer architecture, consumer electronics, medical devices, network-related technologies, nuclear power technologies, and cloud-based data and media handling. His commercially-focused and pragmatic advice was much valued by his clients.
Nick was a great influence on many at D Young & Co, having mentored and trained many attorneys including current partners of the firm. For many years Nick served on the International Liaison Committee of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), as well as being a member of the Software Related Inventions Committee of the American Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO). The relations Nick built via his committee memberships were valuable in bringing business into the firm.
Nick was a true polymath, having wide-ranging interests including not only science, technology and law but also travel, cookery, cycling, climbing, skiing, music, languages, reading, and woodworking. Nick’s thirst for knowledge in all areas of human endeavour meant that conversations and trips with him were always a pleasure, and that he had an unerring ability to connect and bond with anyone. He particularly enjoyed surprising colleagues with his wide-ranging and often unexpected wealth of knowledge.
Nick was passionate in making the workplace a pleasant and fun environment for all. He had a dry sense of humour and was known to play occasional good-natured practical jokes on colleagues. His office and the surrounding shared work areas were a veritable oasis with Nick tending to a variety of plants and shrubs to brighten up the workspace for all. Nick valued his relationships with colleagues, often forming lasting friendships that extended beyond the workplace.
Nick was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis in 2012. The charitable Amyloidosis Research Fund within the Royal Free Charity provides invaluable support for world leading research, development of new treatments and delivery of key tests that are not available elsewhere. Donations can be made to this important charity via: www.justgiving.com/page/nickmalden.
We thank Nick for his huge contribution to the firm over the years, and will greatly miss him both as friend and colleague. Our sincere condolences go to the Malden family. With fond recollection of trips with Nick to the south of France, we raise a Kir Royal in Nick’s memory.
Robbie Berryman, on behalf of all at D Young & Co.