The ‘very experienced and sophisticated’ IP team at Ashurst regularly handles the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters, including misleading or deceptive conduct issues, sound recording licensing mandates, and trade mark infringements. Anita Cade spearheads the team, advising on the full range of IP matters in purchases and various other transactions. Lisa Ritson assists major clients with anti-counterfeiting and copyright and consumer protection matters, while Stuart D’Aloisio and Nina Fitzgerald regularly represent pharma clients in patent infringement cases before the Federal Court. Joanna Lawrence is another key contact for cross-border brand disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Stuart D'Alosio is the smartest person I have ever met.' 

  • ‘I find the team at Ashurst very easy to deal with - no question is a silly question! They are always on hand to run queries past and usually very prompt in responding to emails and matters. Very knowledgeable team across a broad range of subject matter and one of the easiest and most fun teams I've had the privilege of working with. The work quality is exceptional and understandable by internal stakeholders.' 

  • ‘I have had the privilege of working with Joanna Lawrence on a number of matters over the last few years. Joanna is professional, easy to deal with, knowledgeable and very friendly. She has an intimate understanding of how our business operates and this lends itself well to engaging with internal stakeholders. ’

  • ‘Ashurst has a very experienced and sophisticated team of partners and senior associates working collaboratively across Sydney and Melbourne. They have the resources and strategic nous to stay in front in high stakes, fast-moving intellectual property litigation.’

  • ‘Anita Cade heads the IP team. Her style is always calm but determined and strategic. She has excellent support from experienced and loyal associates, who produce high quality documentation with quick turnarounds. Other stand-out partners include Joanna Lawrence in Melbourne.’

  • ‘Nina Fitzgerald has excellent interpersonal engagement. She is pragmatic and possesses a deep understanding of the commercial context. ’

  • ‘Joanna Lawrence's team's practice is distinguished by its deep sector expertise and a client-focused approach, ensuring we receive personalized and strategic legal advice on every occasion. ’

  • ‘Joanna Lawrence enjoys all of the qualities of a trusted advisor: she is responsive, easy to work with, knowledgeable and authoritative, and good value. Joanna is my go to in Australia, and I expect that to remain the case for some time. ’

Key clients

  • Abu Dhabi National Oil Co
  • Adani Mining
  • AGL Energy
  • AIA Australia
  • Alibaba Group
  • Ant Group
  • ANZ Bank
  • Apotex
  • Archer Daniels Midland Company
  • Arrotex
  • Asahi Group
  • auDA
  • Aurizon Holdings
  • Australia Post
  • Baby Bunting
  • BHP Group
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
  • BP
  • Bubs Australia
  • Bureau of Meteorology
  • Burger King Corporation
  • Candy Digital
  • Cardinal Health
  • Care A2 Plus
  • Carrier Inc
  • Castrol
  • Cathay Pacific Airways
  • Cencora
  • Certegy
  • Challenger
  • Chicago Mercantile Exchange
  • Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG
  • Choice Hotels
  • City of Melbourne
  • Clifford Hallam Healthcare
  • Combe International
  • Commercial Radio and Audio
  • CondeNast Publications
  • Crown Resorts
  • Diageo
  • Edgewell
  • EnergyAustralia
  • Exploding Kittens
  • Fanatics, Inc
  • Fila Inc
  • Goodyear Tire & Rubber
  • Google
  • Guidewire Software, Inc
  • Hearst Holdings, Inc
  • Henley Arch
  • Henkel
  • Humane Society of the United States
  • Idom Innovations
  • Index Ventures
  • Infensa Bioscience
  • LEGO Group
  • McCain Foods
  • Melbourne Cricket Club
  • Melbourne & Olympic Parks
  • Melbourne City Council
  • Monash University
  • Monster Energy Company
  • Movember
  • Navitas
  • NSW Government
  • Peloton Interactive Inc
  • Perry Ellis International
  • Pharmacor
  • Pilot Pen
  • Proctor & Gamble
  • Pure Fishing
  • Quaker Houghton
  • Qualcomm
  • Racing Victoria
  • Samsung Bioepis
  • Samyang Corporation
  • Sandoz
  • Singtel Optus
  • SPC Foods
  • SunPharma ANZ
  • Sydney Water
  • The Walt Disney Company
  • Toll Group
  • Topps Company
  • University of Melbourne
  • Urban Outfitters
  • Vitasoy Australia
  • Whole Earth Foods
  • Woolworths Group Limited

Work highlights

  • Acting for Proctor & Gamble in misleading and deceptive conduct proceedings in the Federal Court brought by Reckitt Benckiser related to advertising and product packaging claims.
  • Representing for Henley Arch in trade mark infringement and misleading and deceptive conduct proceedings in the Federal Court against Henley Constructions.
  • Representing Peloton Interactive in the Federal Court of Australia on the Australian limb of its international litigation against Mad Dogg Athletics.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Anita Cade

Other key lawyers

Lisa Ritson, Stuart D'Aloisio, Nina Fitzgerald, Joanna Lawrence