Spruson & Ferguson has once again been recognised in IAM Patent 1000 rankings across the Asia-Pacific this year. We are pleased to announce that Spruson & Ferguson Australia have been ranked as a Gold firm for Prosecution, a Bronze firm for litigation and recommended for transactions. Spruson & Ferguson Singapore have been ranked as a Gold firm for Prosecution. Spruson & Ferguson Hong Kong have been ranked as Highly Recommended for Prosecution. Spruson & Ferguson Malaysia have been ranked as recommended for prosecution, with Spruson & Ferguson China and Indonesia being listed as recommended firms.
The following specific individuals have been recognised this year:
Australia
- Chris Bevitt, Principal, Head of Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
- Dr. Simon Potter, Principal, Chemical and Life Sciences Leader
- Dr. Elizabeth Barrett, Principal, Chemical / Life Sciences Team
- Andrew Cale, Principal, Engineering / ICT Team
- Dr. Michael Christie, Principal, Chemical / Life Sciences Team
- Khajaque Kortian, Principal, Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
- Dr. Daniel Sieveking, Principal, Chemical / Life Sciences Team
- Sylvie Tso, Principal, Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
- Guy Tucker, Principal, Engineering / ICT Team
- Greg Whitehead, Principal, Engineering / ICT Team
Singapore
- Kristian Robinson, Managing Director of Asia
- Le Hong Minh, Principal, Director Singapore, Engineering / ICT Leader Asia
- Maik Brinkmann, Principal, Chemical / Life Sciences Team
Malaysia
- Dr. Soo Ee Lin, Principal, Director Malaysia
Indonesia
- Marolita Setiati Anwar, Director Indonesia
Hong Kong
- Robert Jackson, Principal, Chemical / Life Sciences Team
Quotes and client feedback on our service and team as featured in IAM Patent 1000
Australia
Since its head-turning merger with Shelston IP in November 2021, Spruson & Ferguson has consolidated its status as one of the most pre-eminent IP outfits in the country. As one of the only two outfits in the Australian chapter listed across all three ranking charts, its overarchingly comprehensive IP offering gives real meaning to the one-stop shop claim. With its growing presence across Asia-Pacific jurisdictions, the Australian contingent is now a go-to adviser for patent matters of all kinds both domestically and regionally. Leading the charge on the contentious front is polished litigator Khajaque Kortian, who easily finds pragmatic solutions to complex IP disputes. 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. With a six-year record of being the top Australian filer of patent applications, its renowned patent prosecution is currently home to a regiment of over 40 scientifically adept and well-qualified attorneys, including Michael Christie, Greg Whitehead, Simon Potter, 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. Chemical and life sciences leader Potter is a recognised expert on HIV antiretroviral drug resistance. 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 chemistry doctorate Barrett, who is a percipient adviser on a wide range of pharmaceutical-related prosecution matters. Brisbane-based Cale steers the engineering and information and communications technology team, specialising in the fields of information and communications technology, signal and data processing, mechanical engineering, computer software and business methods.
IAM Patent 1000
Singapore
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 because of its exceptional regional and technical expertise. Leading the charge 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. Fellow mechanical engineer and IAM Patent 1000 debutant Hong Minh Le hails from an exceptional academic background. 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 patent strategies.
IAM Patent 1000
Hong Kong
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 team. 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
Malaysia
Spruson & Ferguson is a respected presence across the Asia-Pacific region: with more than 100 years in the IP sphere and an integrated prosecution practice extending from Australia to more than 25 countries, including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, the company is the first port of call for many Fortune 500 names. Its Malaysian outpost’s compact group offers pre-filing advice, preparation and prosecution across a broad range of industries, especially engineering, technology and life sciences. Regional director Ee Lin Soo excels in prosecuting biotech patents, especially those pertaining to enzymes and fermentation, which formed the topic of her doctoral thesis.
IAM Patent 1000
Indonesia
Taking advantage of the outfit’s rich experience and strong international network of professionals, Spruson & Ferguson’s Indonesian crew has become a powerful force on the non-contentious front. The patent crew has recently welcomed three new hires, significantly beefing up the chemical, biotechnology and engineering aspects of the practice. Director Marolita Setiati Anwar has more than 15 years’ experience and is well versed in patent prosecution. Foreign players seek her on-point advice, especially those in the mechanical and electrical engineering fields.
IAM Patent 1000
China
The Beijing contingent of Australian IP powerhouse Spruson & Ferguson is modest yet mighty. Its presence in China should not be overlooked – the establishment is one of a handful of foreign entities that are dedicated to providing high-quality patent prosecution services. Working closely with teams across the Asia-Pacific region, it meets the needs of every discerning patent owner.
IAM Patent 1000