IP Attorneys Auckland

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Computing and Software Systems
• Master of Intellectual Property
• Registered Trans‑Tasman Patent Attorney (AU & NZ)
• Registered Trans-Tasman Trade Marks Attorney

Experience

Tom is a registered Australian patent attorney with a background in software engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Computing and Software Systems. His technical background in computing, software systems, physics, mathematics, and electrical engineering gives him a strong foundation for quickly understanding new and complex technologies.

Tom works with clients ranging from early-stage technology companies to larger corporate and multinational businesses. He assists across the patent lifecycle, including patent drafting, prosecution, examination report responses, patent searching, infringement and validity analysis, and IP strategy.

Tom has particular experience with Australian patent eligible subject matter issues, especially for software-related inventions and computer-implemented technologies. He brings a practical, commercial, and technically informed approach to helping clients understand their IP position, protect important innovations, and build patent portfolios aligned with their business objectives.

Specialities

• Software and computer-implemented inventions
• ICT systems and telecommunications
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Business software, fintech, and payments technologies
• Cloud computing, SaaS platforms, and data analytics
• Embedded systems and IoT devices
• Electrical and mechanical systems
• Medical devices and digital health technologies
• Australian patent eligible subject matter for software and computer-implemented inventions

Qualifications

• Admitted Solicitor in England & Wales, Ireland, and South Africa
• Registered Trans-Tasman Trade Marks Attorney
• Extensive cross‑jurisdictional training in brand protection, contentious trade mark matters, and international filing systems including the Madrid Protocol

Experience

Robin is a highly experienced trade mark practitioner with a genuinely global perspective, having practised across the UK, South Africa, and Australia, and served as senior corporate IP counsel for a multinational organisation. His career spans leading IP firms and in‑house roles, giving him a rare blend of legal, commercial, and operational insight. 

He has advised businesses ranging from early‑stage startups to major international brands, delivering strategic, commercially grounded trade mark and brand protection solutions. Robin has also led numerous IP education programs for technology incubators and business accelerators across the UK and Africa, reflecting his commitment to empowering innovators.

Clients value his pragmatic, approachable style, his ability to simplify complex IP challenges, and his focus on delivering outcomes that support long‑term business growth.

Specialities

• Trade mark prosecution and portfolio management
• Trade mark oppositions and contentious proceedings
• Clearance searches and brand risk assessment
• Co‑existence agreements and IP asset transactions
• Madrid Protocol applications and multi‑jurisdictional filing strategy
• Commercial brand protection for startups, SMEs, and global enterprises
• Strategic advice on brand expansion and international market entry

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) with Honours
• Registered Trans‑Tasman Patent Attorney (AU & NZ)
• Registered Trans-Tasman Trade Marks Attorney

Experience

Ali is a senior Trans‑Tasman Patent and Trade Marks Attorney and is widely recognised as the “IP guy” for some of New Zealand’s most successful and innovative technology start‑ups. His practice is built around making high‑quality, commercially aligned IP services accessible to tech companies and businesses with global ambitions.

He works closely with high‑growth start‑ups, scale‑ups, universities, SMEs, and venture capital firms across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Ali’s clients value his ability to integrate seamlessly into their commercial and technical teams, often acting as an in‑house IP function to support invention capture, IP budgeting and forecasting, investor‑ready documentation, and commercialisation strategy.

His background in electrical engineering underpins his strong technical capability, and he is known for his pragmatic, collaborative approach, clear communication, and ability to guide emerging and established companies through complex IP landscapes.

Outside of work, Ali balances his professional life with time spent with family and friends, staying active with football, and pursuing personal creative interests.

Specialities

• Patent drafting and prosecution across electrical, software, and mechanical technologies
• Audio technology, power distribution systems, industrial automation, AI‑driven systems
• Medical technology, microfluidics, and advanced engineering devices
• Global brand protection and trade mark strategy
• In‑house IP function support: invention capture, IP budgeting, education, pitch decks, funding applications
• Commercialisation‑aligned IP strategy for high‑growth tech companies

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Optoelectronics, University of Auckland
• Master of Science in Physics, University of Auckland
• Registered Trans‑Tasman Patent Attorney (AU & NZ)
• Registered Trans-Tasman Trade Marks Attorney

Experience

Matt is a highly regarded Trans‑Tasman Patent and Trade Marks Attorney known for his deep technical capability and strategic insight across advanced technologies. He advises clients on obtaining, asserting, and defending global patent portfolios, with particular strength in high‑growth, innovation‑driven sectors.

His experience spans electronic systems, software and hardware, embedded systems, AI, machine learning, power management, telecommunications, optics, and automotive technologies. Matt’s clients—ranging from startups to multinational technology companies across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States—value his ability to navigate complex IP landscapes with precision and commercial clarity.

Drawing on his firsthand experience founding and successfully exiting a technology company, Matt brings a commercially grounded, practical approach to IP strategy. He is recognised for his technical aptitude, strategic prosecution skills, and exceptional representation in contentious and non‑contentious matters.

Outside of work, Matt is an “active relaxer” who enjoys developing electronic systems for motorsport applications.

Specialities

• Patent drafting and prosecution across electronics, software, and advanced engineering technologies
• AI, machine learning, embedded systems, telecommunications, optics, and automotive technologies
• Strategic IP portfolio development and management
• Enforcement of IP rights and litigation strategy
• Trade mark registration and brand protection
• Commercially focused IP solutions informed by real‑world business experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and Technology (Physics & Electronics)
• Graduate Diploma in Information Technology
• Registered Trans‑Tasman Patent Attorney (AU & NZ)
• Registered Trans-Tasman Trade Marks Attorney

Experience

Simon has been practising in the intellectual property field since 1996, bringing nearly three decades of experience across patent drafting, prosecution, oppositions, and strategic IP advisory work. He has represented clients before the Australian Intellectual Property Office, the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office, and the World Intellectual Property Organization, giving him extensive cross‑jurisdictional insight.

Simon’s practice spans the full patent lifecycle, including novelty assessments, freedom‑to‑operate investigations, infringement and validity assessments, and contentious matters. His long-standing experience across both AU and NZ systems makes him a trusted advisor for clients seeking reliable, technically precise, and commercially grounded IP guidance.

He has worked with a broad range of technologies throughout his career, with a particular focus on software, electronics, and ICT‑related inventions. His deep technical background enables him to understand complex systems and deliver high‑quality, strategically aligned patent protection.

Specialities

• Patent drafting and prosecution (AU, NZ, and international)
• Patent oppositions and contentious matters
• Novelty, FTO, infringement, and validity assessments
• Software, electronics, and ICT‑related inventions
• Pattern‑recognition software and biometric systems
• Hall‑effect transducers and electric‑fencing technologies
• Search‑engine optimisation systems and RFID technologies
• Representation before IP Australia, IPONZ, and WIPO

Qualifications

• Master of Science (First‑Class Honours) in Biochemistry
• Bachelor of Science (Biology & Chemistry – Double Major)
• Registered Trans‑Tasman Patent Attorney (AU & NZ)

Experience

Sandra is an experienced patent attorney with eight years of practice supporting clients across New Zealand, Australia, and internationally. Her work spans the full patent lifecycle, including patent drafting, prosecution, infringement and validity assessments, novelty evaluations, and freedom‑to‑operate investigations.

She works across a wide range of technologies, engaging with clients in the general sciences, mechanical technologies, consumer products, and advanced biochemical and biotechnological processes. Sandra has experience with pharmaceutical compositions, veterinary preparations, animal husbandry products, active biological compounds, and livestock parentage determination systems.

Sandra represents clients before IP Australia, the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office, and the World Intellectual Property Organization, providing clear, commercially aligned advice tailored to each client’s technical and strategic needs.

Specialities

• Patent drafting and prosecution (AU, NZ, and international)
• Patent infringement, validity, novelty, and FTO assessments
• Biochemical and biotechnological processes
• Pharmaceutical and veterinary compositions
• Mechanical technologies and consumer products
• Biological compounds and livestock parentage determination systems
• Representation before IP Australia, IPONZ, and WIPO

Qualifications

• BSc (Biochemistry & Zoology)
• BSc (Hons) (Biochemistry)
• BJuris (Law subjects, Latin, English, Afrikaans)
• MSc (Biochemistry) – Research in enzymology & proteasome protein chemistry
• LLB (Postgraduate law degree – equivalent to JD)
• Master of Industrial Property (Patent, Trade Mark & Design Law)
• BPhil (Ancient Cultures of the Near East & Mediterranean)
• PhD (Neuroscience) – RMIT University
• Registered Trans‑Tasman Patent Attorney (AU & NZ)
• Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
• Fellow of IPTA
• 25 years’ experience in intellectual property law across top‑tier firms in Australia and South Africa

Experience

Dr Seán Klinkradt is an accomplished intellectual property professional with more than two decades of experience advising clients across Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. As a registered Trans‑Tasman Patent Attorney and Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, Seán brings a rare combination of deep scientific expertise, legal training, and cross‑jurisdictional experience.

His academic background spans science, law, and humanities, culminating in a PhD in neuroscience from RMIT University. His doctoral research focused on identifying and characterising a novel excitatory amino acid transporter in rodent brains—work with potential therapeutic applications in neurological, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Seán has practised with leading IP firms in both South Africa and Australia, developing extensive experience across biotechnology, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and veterinary sciences. His scientific depth and legal precision make him a trusted advisor for clients navigating complex patent landscapes.

Beyond practice, Seán is an active academic, lecturing in biomedicine, business law, human rights, intellectual property, medical sciences, and property law at multiple universities. His broad intellectual interests include ancient history, philosophy, and classical literature.

Specialities

• Patent drafting and prosecution across biotechnology, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and medical technologies
• Neuroscience, biomedicine, and therapeutic innovation
• Veterinary and agricultural biotechnology
• Patentability, infringement, and validity assessments
• Strategic IP portfolio development for research institutions and industry
• Cross‑jurisdictional IP strategy (AU/NZ/South Africa)

Academic and industry training in IP, law, and biomedical sciences

Qualifications

• Registered Trans‑Tasman Patent Attorney (AU & NZ)
• Qualified South African Patent Attorney (not practising)
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (University of Cape Town)
• Bachelor of Laws (University of South Africa)
• Attorney of the High Court of South Africa (not practising)
• IP Valuation Specialist

Experience

Mike is a Principal of IP Guardian and an accomplished patent attorney with more than 22 years of experience securing thousands of patents and designs for clients across Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and internationally. Before entering the IP profession, Mike worked in research and development and project engineering, giving him a practical, industry‑grounded understanding of how innovations are conceived, built, and commercialised.

Since entering specialist IP practice in 2001, Mike has worked across multiple jurisdictions and has drafted and prosecuted patent applications in a wide range of technologies. His background in mechanical engineering, combined with extensive experience in software patents, enables him to support clients across both traditional engineering and emerging technology sectors.

Mike is also deeply committed to education and mentoring. He has lectured and mentored at the University of New South Wales, University of Wollongong, and University of Sydney, and has advised numerous start‑ups through incubators and accelerators on intellectual property strategy, ideation, and commercialisation.

His previous work in IP valuation gives him a strong commercial lens, helping clients understand the strategic and financial value of their intellectual property.

Outside of work, Mike enjoys life with his wife and three teenage/adult children — who describe him as “the coolest Dad on the planet” and say that they "wish they could be more like him."  He enjoys walking his two large rescue dogs, off-road driving, exploring and gym. 

Specialities

• Patent drafting and prosecution across mechanical, software, and multidisciplinary technologies
• Packaging, consumer products, mining technologies, and industrial processes
• Mechanical devices, robotics, and electromechanical mechanisms
• Fintech, medical devices, naval/marine technologies, defence and weapons systems
• Design registrations and global filing strategy
• Software and AI technology
• IP valuation and commercialisation strategy
• Start‑up advisory: ideation, IP strategy, investor readiness, and portfolio development

Qualifications

• Registered Trans‑Tasman Patent Attorney (AU & NZ)
• Registered Trans-Tasman Trade Marks Attorney
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Intellectual Property
• Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law & Practice (not practising)
• Member, Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA)
• Member, Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ)

Experience

Barry is the founder and principal of IP Guardian and an experienced patent and trade marks attorney with more than 20 years’ experience across specialist IP firms and in‑house counsel roles in Australia. He has built a career dedicated to helping innovators, entrepreneurs, and established businesses protect their inventions, brands, and designs both locally and internationally.

Barry’s practice spans patent, trade mark, and design registration, with a strong commercial focus. He advises startups, SMEs, and large corporates on how to secure and leverage their intellectual property in Australia and overseas. His in‑house experience gives him a practical understanding of business priorities, enabling him to deliver IP strategies that support growth, investment, and market expansion.

He has a particular passion for protecting Australian‑designed and manufactured consumer brands, and is known for his approachable style, clear communication, and commitment to helping clients understand and maximise the value of their IP assets.

Specialities

• Patent, trade mark, and design registration (AU/NZ and international)
• Brand protection and trade mark strategy
• IP strategy for startups, SMEs, and corporates
• Commercially aligned IP portfolio development
• Protection of Australian‑designed and manufactured consumer products
• International filing strategy and portfolio management