Choosing the right intellectual property lawyer is critical for protecting your brand, inventions, and creative works. This guide profiles twenty IP practices across Australia, selected based on stated specialisations, published qualifications, team composition, filing activity, and publicly available information. Assessments are editorial and based on verifiable public data — no firm has paid for inclusion.
1. Signify IP
Location: Adelaide, South Australia | Focus: Trade marks exclusively
Signify IP is a boutique practice led by Hollie Ford, a TTIPAB-registered trade marks attorney who established the firm in 2010 (originally as Contego Trade Mark Attorneys, rebranding to Signify IP in 2024). The firm’s distinguishing feature is its exclusive focus on trade mark work — it does not handle patents, designs, or general IP. Ford holds a Graduate Certificate in Trade Mark Law and Practice from UTS and a Bachelor of Justice and Society from Flinders University. She is a member of IPTA, IPSANZ, and FICPI. The firm operates as a two-person team with paralegal Christine Kelly, providing direct attorney access on every matter. Published case studies include work for Hyro and Natural Raw C. Within the broader IP market, Signify IP represents the deepest specialisation model — a trade-mark-only practice with professional qualifications and industry memberships that benchmark against much larger firms.
2. Spruson & Ferguson
Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Singapore | Focus: Full-service IP
Australia’s largest IP firm, established in 1887, with more than 200 professionals. Spruson & Ferguson handles trade marks, patents, designs, and IP litigation across all industries. The firm’s scale and international network make it a default choice for large corporates and multinationals. Part of the IPH Group (ASX: IPH).
3. Davies Collison Cave
Location: Melbourne, Sydney | Focus: Full-service IP
One of Australia’s oldest IP firms, Davies Collison Cave (DCC) provides comprehensive patent, trade mark, design, and IP advisory services. Part of the DFR Group. Known for deep patent prosecution expertise across technology, life sciences, and engineering sectors.
4. Griffith Hack
Location: Melbourne, Sydney | Focus: Full-service IP For more details, see our guide to 20 best ip lawyers in australia.
A major full-service IP firm now part of the IPH Group. Griffith Hack offers trade mark, patent, and design services with particular strength in pharmaceutical and technology patent prosecution. The firm’s integration into IPH provides access to an extensive Asia-Pacific network.
5. Wrays
Location: Perth, Melbourne | Focus: Full-service IP
Established in 1920, Wrays is Western Australia’s leading IP firm. The practice covers patents, trade marks, designs, and IP litigation, with strong expertise in mining, resources, and technology sectors reflecting Perth’s industry base.
6. Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
Location: Melbourne | Focus: Full-service IP
Established in 1888, POF is one of Melbourne’s oldest IP firms. The practice handles patents, trade marks, and designs with particular strength in engineering, manufacturing, and technology sectors.
7. Madderns
Location: Adelaide | Focus: Full-service IP
Adelaide’s premier full-service IP firm, established in the 1890s. Madderns handles patents, trade marks, designs, and IP litigation across all industries. As the longest-established IP practice in South Australia, the firm maintains a strong position in the Adelaide market.
8. Baxter IP
Location: Sydney, Melbourne | Focus: Patents and trade marks, startup focus We cover this topic in how to register a trademark in australia:.
A mid-size IP firm with a strong presence in the startup and technology sectors. Baxter IP offers patent and trade mark services with a particular focus on early-stage companies, university spin-outs, and technology businesses.
9. MMW Trademarks
Location: Victoria | Focus: Trade marks
A boutique practice focused primarily on trade mark registration and portfolio management. MMW Trademarks serves small and medium businesses with fixed-fee pricing for standard trade mark work.
10. Progressive Legal
Location: Sydney | Focus: Trade marks and commercial law
A commercial law firm with a strong trade mark practice. Progressive Legal offers fixed-fee trade mark registration packages alongside broader business law services, positioning itself as an accessible option for startups and SMEs.
11. IP Wealth International
Location: Multiple Australian offices | Focus: Full-service IP
A multi-disciplinary IP firm with offices across Australia. IP Wealth handles trade marks, patents, designs, and licensing with both domestic and international filing capabilities through the Madrid Protocol and PCT systems.
12. KOMO IP
Location: Australia | Focus: Trade marks and brand protection See also our when do you need a trademark lawyer?.
A boutique practice serving startups and growing businesses. KOMO IP emphasises accessibility and digital-first client engagement, with a focus on trade mark registration and brand strategy.
13. Shelston IP
Location: Sydney | Focus: Full-service IP
A well-established Sydney IP firm covering patents, trade marks, designs, and IP advisory work. Part of the IPH Group. Shelston has particular strength in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and chemistry patent prosecution.
14. FB Rice
Location: Sydney, Melbourne | Focus: Full-service IP
A mid-to-large IP firm with strong patent prosecution capabilities, particularly in technology, engineering, and life sciences. FB Rice also maintains an active trade mark practice.
15. Watermark IP
Location: Melbourne, Sydney | Focus: Full-service IP
A full-service IP firm with a strong trade mark and design practice alongside its patent work. Watermark is known for its work in consumer goods, retail, and technology sectors.
16. Girl Friday IP
Location: Australia | Focus: Trade marks Our the four types of intellectual property in offers additional context.
A boutique practice focused on trade marks and brand protection, with a particular emphasis on creative industries and women-led businesses.
17. Cullens Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys
Location: Brisbane | Focus: Full-service IP
Queensland’s leading independent IP firm, offering patent, trade mark, and design services. Cullens has a strong presence in mining, agriculture, and manufacturing — sectors that reflect Queensland’s economic base.
18. Pizzeys Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys
Location: Brisbane, Gold Coast | Focus: Full-service IP
A Queensland-based IP firm with strength in patents, trade marks, and designs. Pizzeys serves clients across technology, manufacturing, and consumer goods sectors.
19. Foundational IP
Location: Melbourne | Focus: Patents and trade marks
A boutique-to-mid-size practice with a focus on technology and startup clients. Foundational IP offers both patent and trade mark services with a pragmatic, commercially-oriented approach.
20. Allens (IP Practice)
Location: National | Focus: IP litigation and advisory
One of Australia’s largest commercial law firms, Allens maintains a dedicated IP practice group focused on high-value IP litigation, licensing, and advisory work. Best suited for complex enforcement matters and commercial IP transactions.
How We Assessed These Firms
This guide is based on publicly available information including stated qualifications, published services, team composition, firm history, professional body memberships, and published pricing models. No firm paid for inclusion or positioning. Rankings reflect editorial assessment of specialisation depth, market presence, and published credentials as at February 2026.