List G Barristers.

Tom Cordiner KC holds the dual qualification of barrister and registered patents and trade mark attorney.

Tom has, for the past 23 years, specialised in all aspects of intellectual property law, for the last five years as Queen’s Counsel.

Tom commonly appears in court trials and appeals throughout Australia, and from time to time the Patents Office and Trade Marks Office. He appears for, and advises, a broad range of clients in all kinds of industries including pharmaceutical, mining, automotive, agricultural, IT/telecommunications, wagering, and fashion. He also mediates intellectual property disputes.

Prior to joining the law, Tom obtained tertiary qualifications in science and law and earned an honours degree in molecular genetics with a project funded by Florigene Ltd (responsible for the “Blue Rose” and “Long-life carnation” projects) and Melbourne University.

From 1998 to 2003, Tom was a solicitor with Ashurst (then Blake Dawson Waldron), during which time he became a registered patent attorney and trade marks attorney, drafting and prosecuting mechanical and molecular biology patents, and assisting clients in a range of technologies, from dance-shoes to nanotechnology.

Tom contributes to IPForum each quarter and is the author of Patent Infringement in Lahores, published by Lexis Nexis. Tom has been ranked as “preeminent” since 2018 in the list of leading intellectual property senior counsel for Australia (and for Victoria) by the Doyle's Guide. He has also recently enrolled as a barrister of the High Court of New Zealand.

Tom has conducted numerous appeals, trials and interlocutory disputes in the Federal Court, predominantly in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. He also regularly appears in the Patents Office and Trade Marks Office.

Prior to joining the Bar, Tom was a solicitor with Ashurst. He became a patent attorney and trade marks attorney while with the firm. He holds tertiary qualifications in science and law and obtained his honours degree in molecular genetics.

Tom contributes quarterly to the specialist law journal, IP Forum and is the author of the Patents Infringement chapter for LexisNexis.

Tom was called to the Bar in 2003 and became silk in 2016.

Law Council of Australia, Intellectual Property Committee

Commercial Bar Association, IP and Trade Practices Section

Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ)

Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (IPTA)

Bachelor of Science (Hons)

Bachelor of Laws (Hons)

Patent Attorney & Trade Marks Attorney