Australia

Firm overview

HIP – AN ENVIABLE REPUTATION

Halfords IP (HIP) is a boutique IP firm based in Sydney, Australia, with some of the most experienced Attorneys in Australia and New Zealand.

HIP has an enviable reputation for excellence as one of the country’s leading specialist firms for providing strategic, commercially focused and practical advice.

HIP represents clients of all sizes and capabilities, from individuals and start-ups through to multinational entities.

EXPERT TEAM – KEY CONTACTS

Patents/Designs

Electrical/ICT - Anthony Cowle - anthony.cowle@halfords.com.au
Mechanical – Chris Atichian – chris.atichian@halfords.com.au
Chemical/Materials – Dan Berger – dan.berger@halfords.com.au

Trade Marks

Aparna Watal – aparna.watal@halfords.com.au

AWARDS:

Consistently ranked as one of Australia’s leading IP firms, its practitioners are consistently recognised for numerous Awards.

Client testimonials (independently obtained) include:
• "They are professional, attentive, always available at short notice, responsive, courteous, easy to deal with, and knowledgeable."
• "They are easily approachable, very knowledgeable and make the IP system easy to navigate. "
• "We value their technical expertise."
• "I have worked with the same partner at Halfords IP (and at other firms before then) for many years and know that he is a safe pair of hands, has an extensive knowledge of the industry and field and a great reputation."
• "The team is responsive, and we value their good pricing and dependability."
• "It seems that their docketing system is very reliable. They always provide us with the progress of the cases in a timely manner."
• "They have good knowledge on national patent law and produce clearly worded reporting letters."
• "We value their competence and promptness."
• "We appreciate the reliable answers and advice."
• "They are professional and communicative."
• "They are prompt and accurate."
• "They are responsive, and I know the people well and trust the advice."
• "They are very attentive and responsive."

ASSOCIATIONS:

IPTA, INSANZ, FICPI, AIPPI, APAA, INTA

Firm overview

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) was formed in June 2025 through the transformational combination of Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin, creating a world-leading global law firm. With over 6,000 people including c.2700 lawyers and spanning 26 offices, HSF Kramer provides comprehensive legal services across every major region of the world. Uniquely positioned to help clients achieve ambitious objectives, HSF Kramer delivers exceptional results in complex transactions and high-stakes disputes.

Our lawyers help the world's foremost companies unlock the value of their IP to protect their investments, secure and maintain competitive advantage and obtain commercial outcomes. Our teams are internationally recognised as market leaders and have acted on some of the most complex disputes and transactions for our clients.

For more information visit www.hsfkramer.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hsfkramer/

Firm overview

GLMR is the IP Boutique of choice for complex strategy advice in Australia. GLMR is a team of experienced, senior Patent and Trademark Attorneys who are passionate about providing personalized, value-added services in a broad range of technology areas. They assist both local and international clients by taking the time to understand their needs and provide advice in practical and cost-effective ways. The attorneys are IP Strategists for businesses not just prosecution attorneys.

A favorite of clients, GLMR are always there for you. A large software company commented: “you are an amazing ally that’s always there for us. Much appreciated!””. A large general practice law firm commented: "Insightful and professional intellectual property lawyers and attorneys. I highly recommend engaging GLMR not only due to their level of professionalism, knowledge and dedication to clients, but also due to their genuine interest and care for their clients and their matters.". A large accounting firm commented: "GLMR understands the unique intellectual property challenges their clients face. Their attorneys go above and beyond in providing tailored expert advice in relation to all your patent, design, and trademark needs. The personalized guidance and exceptional service provided by GLMR make them an invaluable partner."

GLMR provide a full range of services in relation to patent, design, and trademark rights in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific with specialist attorneys in Medical Devices, Software/Computing, Telecommunications, Control Systems, Robotics, Material Structures, Military and Engineering. As an independent firm, run the old-school way, GLMR’s mission is to put the client first. Every time. The GLMR attorneys get results where others tumble.

Firm overview

Over the last century we’ve been lucky enough to have played a part in protecting some of the world’s most ground-breaking inventions and high profile brands. You can trust us to know IP law inside out, to be curious, and to connect the dots to reach solutions others don’t.

We will provide you with a team, rich in real-world experience, comprising experts who have worked at the forefront of pioneering technologies. A substantial number of our lawyers hold qualifications in scientific or technical fields, meaning we are often called upon for our specialist knowledge and insight on large international mandates. We are respected for our creative and original solutions.

We offer both litigation and transactional support in relation to all IP rights, from small innovative projects to the largest, most complex and ground-breaking transactions and disputes.

Our approach has always been centred on client service, collaborating and innovating with our clients to create bespoke solutions that make their lives easier. This includes: our 'twobirds Pattern' product, a proprietary, in-house patent valuation and analysis tool, that allows us to landscape, analyse, and value patent portfolios in an automated and sophisticated way; and our innovative and dynamic Brand Protection Reporting Portal, which uses dynamic charts that give clients an up-to-date overview of their risk profile at any given time.

Talk to us to find out how our tools, experience and our genuine passion for IP can help you devise a strategy that will help to maintain your competitive edge, whilst protecting and optimising your IP in the best way possible.

Internationally Bird & Bird has over 400 IP lawyers, attorneys and legal professionals across our 29 offices, many of whom have known each other and worked together for years, meaning we're all on the same page and offer consistency and quality that runs through all levels of seniority. We are therefore ideally placed to devise and coordinate multi-jurisdictional litigation strategies and,in the future, to represent clients before the Unified Patent Court.

Office Locations: Australia, Belgium, China, Czech Republic & Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and United States of America