James Lawrence

James Lawrence

Partner
Phone: +61 2 8915 1016
Mobile: +61 400 303 259

James is a widely respected intellectual property (IP) advisor and litigator. He helps clients from a wide range of industries and at all stages of development to identify, protect and enforce their valuable intellectual property.

James is known for his expertise in contentious intellectual property and specialises in managing IP disputes. He also advises clients on issues involving patents, trade marks, copyright, brand protection, trade secrets and portfolio management.

James’s skills and experience in intellectual property disputes and biotechnology law have been recognised by clients and peers in legal benchmark surveys and directories. He is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading patent professionals. He edits the Patents chapter in Halsbury’s Laws of Australia and regularly publishes and presents on intellectual property issues.

Australian clothing manufacturer

advising, managing and enforcing the business’ trade mark portfolio for its principal and subsidiary brands.

Cashrewards Limited

management of Cashrewards’ Australian trade mark portfolio and clearance strategies for new sub-brands.

Deco Australia Pty Ltd

advised and acted for Deco in relation to its patent for novel aluminium cladding products in infringement and revocation proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia.

Dignity Health and SpineSTUD LLC

acting in Federal Court of Australia patent infringement and revocation proceedings in relation to 3D-printed anatomical components.

Lifestyle Communities Ltd

acting in Federal Court of Australia trade mark and Australian Consumer Law proceedings against Stockland Land Lease Management Ltd.

Rattlejack Innovations Pty Ltd

acted for Rattlejack in patent infringement and revocation proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia and in defence of a special leave application to the High Court of Australia relating to a mining safety product used in underground long-hole drilling procedures.

Best Lawyers in Australia™

2014-2025 | Intellectual Property Law

2014-2025 | Biotechnology Law

Doyle’s Guide Leading Lawyers — NSW

2024 | Contentious Intellectual Property: Leading

2018-2023 | Contentious Intellectual Property: Recommended

IAM Patent 1000

2019-2024 | Leading Global Patent Professional

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific

2015-2024 | Intellectual Property: Recommended Lawyer

Who’s Who Legal Australia & New Zealand

2023-2024 | IP – Trademarks

World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR)

2018-2024 | Leader in Intellectual Property

  • Editor, Patents, Halsbury’s Laws of Australia
  • Editor, Competition & Consumer Newsletter, LexisNexis
  • Treasurer, Copyright Society of Australia
  • Member, Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ)
  • Member, International Trade Mark Association (INTA)
  • Member, Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys
  • Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Macquarie University

Experience

Australian clothing manufacturer
advising, managing and enforcing the business’ trade mark portfolio for its principal and subsidiary brands.
Cashrewards Limited
management of Cashrewards’ Australian trade mark portfolio and clearance strategies for new sub-brands.
Deco Australia Pty Ltd
advised and acted for Deco in relation to its patent for novel aluminium cladding products in infringement and revocation proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia.
Dignity Health and SpineSTUD LLC
acting in Federal Court of Australia patent infringement and revocation proceedings in relation to 3D-printed anatomical components.
Lifestyle Communities Ltd
acting in Federal Court of Australia trade mark and Australian Consumer Law proceedings against Stockland Land Lease Management Ltd.
Rattlejack Innovations Pty Ltd
acted for Rattlejack in patent infringement and revocation proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia and in defence of a special leave application to the High Court of Australia relating to a mining safety product used in underground long-hole drilling procedures.
Rokt Pte Ltd
acted for Rokt in the ground-breaking series of Federal Court of Australia patent proceedings that tested the applicability of the manner of manufacture requirement in respect of computer-implemented inventions.
The Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys
acted for IPTA in its intervention on the seminal High Court of Australia proceedings in Aristocrat v Commissioner of Patents, which was concerned with the patentability of computer-implemented inventions.

Recognition & Awards

Best Lawyers in Australia™

2014-2025 | Intellectual Property Law

2014-2025 | Biotechnology Law

Doyle’s Guide Leading Lawyers — NSW

2024 | Contentious Intellectual Property: Leading

2018-2023 | Contentious Intellectual Property: Recommended

IAM Patent 1000

2019-2024 | Leading Global Patent Professional

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific

2015-2024 | Intellectual Property: Recommended Lawyer

Who’s Who Legal Australia & New Zealand

2023-2024 | IP – Trademarks

World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR)

2018-2024 | Leader in Intellectual Property

Committees & Memberships

  • Editor, Patents, Halsbury’s Laws of Australia
  • Editor, Competition & Consumer Newsletter, LexisNexis
  • Treasurer, Copyright Society of Australia
  • Member, Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ)
  • Member, International Trade Mark Association (INTA)
  • Member, Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Macquarie University