Tom Johnston

I am an intellectual property lawyer and I assist clients from technology driven industries with the protection and commercialisation of their IP rights.

I advise clients on disputes across the spectrum of IP rights, including patents, trade marks, copyright, designs and confidential information. I work with clients from a range of sectors including life sciences, mining, construction, consumer electronics and FMCG products.

I have significant experience with complex and multi-jurisdictional IP disputes, particularly patent infringement and revocation proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia. I also act for clients in opposition proceedings and ownership disputes involving patents, trade marks and registered designs before IP Australia.

My work also involves advising clients on strategic IP issues, including due diligence to assess the value of key IP portfolios, licensing arrangements and technology transfers.

I am passionate about developing a deeper understanding of our clients' products and services. In particular, I enjoy having the opportunity to grapple with the intricacies of emerging technologies in order to identify IP rights that are valuable to our clients. In my experience this understanding enables me to more effectively collaborate with clients so that they can capitalise upon their investment in their intangible assets and reinforce their competitive advantage in their industry.

Before joining Bird & Bird I worked at a specialist intellectual property firm and in the intellectual property group of a global law firm.