Already renowned for its top-ranked patent and trade mark prosecution practices, Griffith Hack bolstered its legal offering by teaming up with Perth-based Mallon & Co, a specialist technology and IP law firm, in July 2010. The firm acquired principal Paul Mallon and four IP legal specialists through the merger and significantly boosted its capabilities in Western Australia. "They are very professional and honest," says a client who uses Derek Baigent and Greg Bodulvoic for IP enforcement work.
Griffith Hack is the top PCT filer in Australia, according to a survey by Managing IP in 2010. The outfit's commendable list of clients includes a balanced mix of domestic and foreign companies such as Sanrio Company, Schweppes, Cotton On Clothing, Honda Motor and Seiko.
Renowned litigator Wayne Condon and senior associate Jacky Mandelbaum are "good and pick up reasonably quickly on issues," says one pharmaceutical client. "Wayne has been around for a while, so that's always a good gift. His insight based on previous experience is very useful."
Showing their presence in high-profile litigation, Condon and his team represented Sigma Pharmaceuticals in a patent revocation and infringement proceeding in the Australian Federal Court over Wyeth's anti-depressant product. Janelle Borham's group assisted Cadbury with a new product by conducting a patent infringement clearance search that was periodically updated.
"We didn't want to lose John's knowledge of our business and his understanding of the importance of our IP," said one client who followed John Lee to the firm. "It's the relationship we have established that makes it easy to discuss all the matters of our business. Also, John has integrated well with our own internal legal group and is seen as part of this group in all discussions and meetings."
In efforts to sharpen its trade mark contentious skills, the firm hired Sally Nicholson from Corrs Chambers Westgarth in July 2009. The litigator is held in high regard by one client, who comments, "her strategic approach to infringement matters has been very good. I've been very pleased."
A client in the agricultural business singles out one patent attorney. "Brendan Nugent was extremely responsive to our requests and grasped the concept of our invention well. He was helpful in getting past the objections."