Australian IP firms Fisher Adams Kelly Callinans, Cullens and Asia-Pacific IP firm Spruson & Ferguson have today announced they will combine to form one firm, operating under the Spruson & Ferguson brand from April 2018.
Fisher Adams Kelly Callinans, Cullens and Spruson & Ferguson are members of the IPH Limited group – a leading IP services group listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and the first Australian-listed IP services group to combine multiple brands.
IPH Limited Managing Director and CEO, Dr Andrew Blattman, said the move would bring significant benefits to the business, its clients and people.
“This announcement today reinforces our market-leading approach and commitment to ensuring our group businesses have the capability, resources and systems to deliver the highest quality service to clients and provide strong career paths for our people.”
“Through this merger we expect significant benefits will flow to the business, its clients and people, with synergies in operations, access to an even greater talent base and integration with Spruson & Ferguson’s Asia-Pacific service offering.”
The integrated firm will employ a team of more than 400 staff, including 152 IP professionals, working across 10 primary offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney.
Tracey Berger, Spruson & Ferguson, Managing Director, Sydney/Melbourne said:
“We are delighted to join with Fisher Adams Kelly Callinans and Cullens to provide an even greater pool of IP talent to our local and international clients. Our combined firm will draw on the strengths of all three businesses to provide our clients with an enhanced top-tier IP service across the Asia-Pacific region.”
Adam Luxton, CEO of Fisher Adams Kelly Callinans said:
“This move will strengthen our IP capability in Australia and offer our clients access to Spruson & Ferguson’s direct IP services across Asia-Pacific. We are pleased to be joining with Cullens and Spruson & Ferguson and look forward to working with them on the continued success of our businesses.”
Regan Gourley, CEO of Cullens said:
“We see many benefits for our clients in joining forces with Fisher Adams Kelly Callinans and Spruson & Ferguson. Each firm has numerous strengths, which combined will greatly benefit our clients seeking to protect their IP across the Asia-Pacific region.”
Fisher Adams Kelly Callinans, Cullens and Spruson & Ferguson will continue to operate independently with respect to attorney professional services until April 2018, when integration will commence. Full integration of the three firms is expected by July 2018.
The other patent and trade mark attorney businesses in the IPH Group, Pizzeys Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys and New Zealand firm AJ Park will not be affected.