Marlia Saunders > Thomson Geer > Sydney, Australia > Lawyer Profile

Thomson Geer
Level 14, 60 Martin Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Australia
Marlia Saunders photo

Work Department

Media

Position

Partner

Career

Marlia is an experienced media/entertainment, intellectual property and privacy lawyer who has extensive top-tier law firm expertise and a unique client perspective after working as a senior in-house lawyer for many years.

She was the Senior Litigation Counsel at News Corp Australia for four years, and previously worked at a top-tier international firm for 13 years where she acted for and advised most of Australia’s major media organisations, social media and streaming platforms, large corporates and government bodies.

Marlia specialises in defamation, contempt of court, suppression orders, freedom of information and court access applications, confidential information claims, prepublication advice, copyright, consumer law and privacy matters.  She has acted in a large number of high profile media and intellectual property disputes; advised on sponsorship, production and licensing deals; and given prepublication advice in relation to newspaper and online articles, television programs, podcasts and marketing/advertising materials.

She is respected for her deep understanding of the issues facing media clients, as well as the commercial outlook she brings to engaging with clients and addressing their needs.

Marlia is passionate about the media and its role in a healthy democracy. She is a member of industry bodies that aim to educate and lobby for regulatory reform on issues affecting the sector.

Lawyer Rankings

Australia > Media and entertainment

Thomson Geer provides prepublication advice, as well as fielding a team of expert litigators skilled in handling high-profile defamation cases. The team is well-versed in breach of confidence, contempt, suppression orders, and freedom of information claims, and has a track record representing major clients in administrative law and judicial review matters. Additionally, they frequently advise on commercial agreements for clients, with a focus on IP and media. Justin Quill is a trusted media lawyer, renowned for his expertise and dedication. John-Paul Cashen and Marlia Saunders are both highly regarded litigators in the media and entertainment sectors.

Australia > Intellectual property

Thomson Geer is a regular advisor on the full gamut of contentious IP matters, with a focus on representing a wide range of media and entertainment clients. Key names in the team include experienced litigator Peter Le Guay, who leads on trade mark portfolios management issues, ‘stellar operator’ Ben Coogan, who handles alleged patent infringement matters, and Marlia Saunders, assisting with copyright infringement proceedings. The team is also well-equipped to service a range of public sector clients on acquisitions of IP and related due diligence. Kerry Awerbuch joined from Gadens in January 2024.