Tony acts for clients on intellectual property, technology commercialisation, life sciences, franchising and complex commercial disputes, with particular strength in cross-border matters across the USA, UK, Europe and Asia.
Biography
Tony acts for a broad range of clients including technology companies, drug developers, medical device manufacturers, IT businesses, and franchisors. He has advised on commercialisation of technologies from startups through to IPO and trade sale, including drug development, medical devices, IT and other technology sectors. His clients have included Australian companies expanding internationally and international companies entering the Australian market.
Tony advises on complex commercial agreements and disputes across intellectual property, IT, life sciences, licensing and franchising. His commercialisation experience covers technology transfer, licensing, joint ventures and commercialisation pathways from development through to market. Tony has conducted many successful cases through to the High Court and has been involved in more than 100 mediations. He has broad international experience particularly in the USA, UK, Europe and Asia, including cases involving cross-country jurisdiction and coordination.
Tony has more than 49 years' experience in complex commercial matters, including taking Australian companies into international markets such as the United States, China, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and managing cases involving cross-jurisdictional and parallel proceedings.
His four decades of experience and long-standing leadership roles in Australian and international IP and franchise organisations give him an institutional perspective, with a solution driven and practical approach, that is rare in private practice. Tony is also admitted to the National Court of Justice of Papua New Guinea.
Credentials
Academic qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws, University of Queensland
- Master of Laws, Queensland University of Technology
Memberships:
- Qld Law Society
- Law Council of Australia
- American Bar Association,
- International Bar Association
- American Intellectual Property Association
- International Distribution Institute
- International Franchise Association.
Tony's experience
Technology commercialisation — Startups to IPO
Advising on commercialisation of a broad range of technologies from startup stage through to IPO and trade sale, including for drug development, medical devices and IT.
Cross-border IP and commercial disputes
Conducting complex IP and commercial disputes with cross-country jurisdiction and coordination across Australia, USA, UK, Europe and Asia, including cases carried through to the High Court.
Licensing and technology transfer
Advising on technology licensing, IP assignments and technology transfer arrangements across multiple sectors and jurisdictions.
Franchising
Advising franchisors on the establishment, development and international expansion of franchised businesses.
Awards, recognition and ranking
- Legal 500 Asia-Pacific — Recommended Lawyer, Intellectual Property (2017, 2020)
- Best Lawyers in Australia — Lawyer of the Year, Biotechnology Law (2027), Defamation and Media Law (2019), Franchise Law (2021, 2024), Intellectual Property Law (2017), Telecommunications Law (2018)
- Best Lawyers in Australia — Leading Lawyer, Alternative Dispute Resolution (2027), Biotechnology Law (2027), Commercial Law (2027), Defamation and Media Law (2027), Entertainment Law (2027), Franchise Law (2027), Information Technology Law (2027), Intellectual Property Law (2027), Litigation (2027), Telecommunications Law (2027)