Spruson & Ferguson has once again been recognised in the 2023 IAM Patent 1000 rankings. This guide recognises world-class patent professionals, and is a testament to the high quality of work Spruson & Ferguson continues to provide for our clients.
Spruson & Ferguson Australia has been ranked as a Gold firm for Prosecution, a recommended firm for Transactions and a Bronze firm for Litigation. Across the Asia business, Spruson & Ferguson Singapore has been ranked as a Gold firm for Prosecution, Spruson & Ferguson Hong Kong as a Highly-recommended firm for Prosecution, Spruson & Ferguson Indonesia as a Recommended firm and Spruson & Ferguson Malaysia as a Recommended firm for Prosecution.
Twenty-two practitioners have been ranked as Recommended Individuals in this year’s edition. The following individuals have been recognised this year:
Australia
- Dr. Simon Potter, Managing Director Australia
- Chris Bevitt, Principal, Head of Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
- Dr. Mike Zammit, Principal, Chemical & Life Sciences Leader
- Andrew Cale, Principal, Engineering & ICT
- Dr. Daniel Sieveking, Principal, Chemical & Life Science
- Duncan Longstaff, Principal, Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
- Dr. Elizabeth Barrett, Principal, Chemical & Life Science
- Greg Whitehead, Principal, Engineering & ICT
- Guy Tucker, Principal, Engineering & ICT
- Katrina Crooks, Principal, Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
- Khajaque Kortian, Principal, Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
- Dr. Michael Christie, Principal, Chemical & Life Science
- Scott Philp, Principal, Engineering & ICT
- Sylvie Tso, Principal, Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
Hong Kong
- Robert Jackson, Principal, Director Greater China
Indonesia
- Marolita Setiati Anwar, Director Indonesia
Malaysia
- Dr. Soo Ee Lin, Principal, Director Malaysia
Singapore
- Kristian Robinson, Managing Director Asia
- Le Hong Minh, Principal, Director Singapore, Engineering & ICT Practice Group Leader
- Dr. Soo Ee Lin, Principal, Director Malaysia
- Maik Brinkmann, Principal, Chemical & Life Sciences
Thailand
- Jitchanok Sararuk, Senior Associate
- Dr. Goragot Supanakorn, Patent Scientist
About IAM
IAM is a trusted source of worldwide news, analysis and data on the management of IP as a key business asset. It provides insights into the market landscape with a wide range of regular special and panel reports and surveys, including the IAM Patent 1000, which presents quality analysis on prominent law firms from leading market experts. Read the full 2023 rankings here.
Quotes and client feedback from the 2023 IAM Patent 1000
Australia
Gold – Firms: prosecution
Recommended – Firms: transactions
Bronze – Firms: litigation
Spruson & Ferguson is more than the country’s foremost prosecution shop – it has extended its reach to over 25 jurisdictions and provides comprehensive one-stop IP services across all its offices. With its growing presence across Asia-Pacific jurisdictions, the Australian contingent is now a go-to adviser for regional patent matters. Domestically, it frequently tops the Australian patent application charts, housing some of the best patent attorneys in their fields. As one of the only three outfits in the Australian chapter listed across all three ranking charts, the group simply has all bases covered. Anchoring the vast Spruson & Ferguson’s operations across the region is managing director Simon Potter. He is a recognised expert on HIV antiretroviral drug resistance and previously held key leadership positions as head of the life sciences team. Other scientifically adept stars include Michael Christie, Greg Whitehead, Guy Tucker, Daniel Sieveking, Elizabeth Barrett and Andrew Cale. Christie is recognised for his legal acumen and his technical expertise in biotechnology, whereas Whitehead has a proven track record of successfully drafting, prosecuting and defending patent and design rights for innovators in the field of mechanical engineering. Tucker brings valuable insight from his previous experience as a UK patent examiner. Drawing upon his vascular medicine PhD, Sieveking has all the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals patent matters on lock. Another crucial member of the chemical and life sciences team is Barrett, who holds a chemistry doctorate and is a percipient adviser on a wide range of pharmaceutical-related prosecution matters. Brisbane-based Cale steers the engineering and ICT team, specialising in the fields of ICT, signal and data processing, mechanical engineering, computer software and business methods. They are joined by IAM Patent 1000 newcomers Scott Philp and Mike Zammit. Philp brings a wealth of insight into drafting and prosecuting patent and design applications across a wide range of technology areas; whereas chemical engineering PhD Zammit succeeded Potter as the new national chemical/life sciences leader. On the disputes side are polished litigators Khajaque Kortian, Katrina Crooks and Duncan Longstaff. With over 28 years of experience in IP law, Kortian is known for finding pragmatic solutions to complex IP disputes. Previously captaining Shelston IP’s disputes department, Crooks has unrivalled litigious experience, especially in the field of life sciences and chemistry-related industries. Another ex-Shelston lawyer, Longstaff is an accomplished litigator with significant experience of high-value IP litigation before the Federal Court of Australia and High Court of Australia. Completing the line-up, Sylvie Tso and Chris Bevitt operate the potent IP transactions team with aplomb. Tso has a flair for the fine print of IP licensing and due diligence, earning the loyalty of a slew of inventors, start-ups, universities and research institutions; while Bevitt combines his excellent command of IP law with his experience gained from over 30 years of legal practice.
IAM Patent 1000 2023
Singapore
Gold – Firms: prosecution
With 130 years on the scene, the bespoke Australian IP shop has established an equally impressive prosecution outfit in Singapore. Acting as Spruson & Ferguson’s Southeast Asian regional hub, the bureau is home to a close-knit group of scientifically adept and highly qualified patent attorneys. It continues to top the IAM Patent 1000 prosecution board thanks to its exceptional regional and technical expertise. Guiding the whole operation is managing director Kristian Robinson, whose strength lies in the chemistry and life sciences field. Working closely with him on the life sciences front are principal Maik Brinkmann and Soo Ee Lin. Brinkmann draws on a breadth of experience, which includes time spent in the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology and working at a major German IP law firm; while Lin has a doctorate in molecular biology and excels at handling biotech and pharmaceutical patent prosecution matters in the region. Completing the lineup is fellow mechanical engineer Hong Minh Le. Previously a technical project leader at a medical device company, he leads the engineering and IT team and works with multinationals, government research agencies, universities and local companies to devise slick patent strategies.
IAM Patent 1000 2023
Hong Kong
Highly-recommended – Firms: prosecution
Australian-headquartered Spruson & Ferguson has a history of 130-plus years and has evolved into a leading IP attorney outfit across all major Asia-Pacific jurisdictions. Virtually all disciplines are strongholds of the technically versatile Hong Kong squad. Chemical and life science group leader Robert Jackson is the name to note. He relies on his valuable experience as in-house at the National University of Singapore to dish out commercially minded evaluation and drafting strategies to patrons and foreign associates.IAM Patent 1000 2023
IAM Patent 1000 2023
Malaysia
Recommended – Firms: prosecution
With a rich history of more than 130 years and a network of offices in seven Southeast Asian jurisdictions, IP service provider Spruson & Ferguson is a prime destination for those seeking comprehensive regional assistance backed up by years of expertise. Cosmopolitan principal Ee Lin Soo meticulously handles patent drafting, prosecution and infringement actions, not only in Malaysia but across the ASEAN region. With a strong business acumen and a doctorate in biotechnology, she is a compelling choice for clients seeking multidimensional advice.
IAM Patent 1000 2023