Michelle Blythe
BBiomed MEng MIPLaw
Michelle has been promoted to Senior
Associate within our Electronics,
Physics & IT team. Michelle joined
Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick in 2014,
and primarily practices as a Patent
Attorney in the area of medical devices
and instrumentation. She also works
across a diverse range of technologies,
including electronic devices, electrical and mechanical
systems, software, life sciences, and physics. Michelle
provides client-focused and commercially-minded IP
services for some of the largest clients in the EPIT
group. She also assists a number of smaller SME clients
in protecting and commercialising their inventions.

Dr Leigh Guerin
Inspire July 2020
BMedPharmBiotech (1st Class Hons) PhD MIPLaw
4 Leigh has been promoted to Senior
Associate within our Chemistry and
Life Sciences team. Leigh’s work
focuses on assisting clients such
as research institutes, universities
and SMEs in protecting their vital
work in a range of biomedical
technologies and biologicals.

Leigh’s international research career in immunology
and reproductive biology provides him with strong
expertise in important medical technologies such
as immunotherapeutics and cellular therapies.

Dr Annabella Newton
MChem(Hons) MCommrclLaw - PhD AMRSC MRACI GAICD
Annabella has been promoted to Senior
Associate within our Chemistry and
Life Sciences team. Annabella works
with a range of clients including global
corporations, SMEs, start-ups and
individuals, providing tailored IP advice
aligned with their business objectives.

She has experience handling large
patent portfolios for multinational companies including
prosecution, queries, assignments, licenses and
amendments. She specialises in pharmaceutical
extensions of term as well as strategic patenting advice
and provides opinions on infringement, validity and
freedom to operate.

She also has in-house experience, having been
seconded to a leading Australian research organisation
several times as an IP Manager. Annabella is a strong
advocate for diversity and inclusion within the STEMM
sector and the patent attorney profession. She currently
serves on the board for Women in STEMM Australia.

Dr Matthew Overett
BSc (Hons), PhD Chem, MIP
Matthew has been promoted to Senior
Associate within our Chemistry and
Life Sciences team. Matthew’s practice
includes drafting of patent specifications
for Australian universities, research
organisations, corporates and SMEs,
advice on infringement and validity, and
prosecution of local and international
patent applications. Having worked in R&D and IP Manager
roles at a multinational chemical company and a large
research organisation, Matthew has in-depth insight into the
value that IP rights can bring to an organisation. His in-house
experience of developing, protecting and commercialising
innovative technologies enables him to provide pragmatic
advice to clients on securing their intellectual property.

Matthew’s industrial and academic background, and
drafting practice, have equipped him with particular
expertise in polymers, coatings and composites,
electrochemical, optoelectronic, medical and
mechanical devices, catalysis, reaction technology,
minerals processing, food processing, materials
science, printing, and oil and gas technologies.

New Senior Associates



These promotions are a significant professional
development milestone that recognise technical
expertise, demonstrable leadership, exceptional
client service delivery, as well as a commitment
and valued contribution towards the success
of the POF Group.

Ross McFarlane, Managing Partner
New Associates
Dr James Burnley
James has been promoted to
Associate within our Chemistry
and Life Sciences team. James joined
POF in early 2016 after stints working
in academic and industrial settings.

He enjoys interacting with inventors
to aid them in finding success in their
commercial journey. He has experience
with advising, drafting, and prosecuting patents over
a wide range of technologies. His experience includes
managing a large patent portfolio throughout South
East Asia and providing pharmaceutical litigation
support in Australia. James has particular interest
in chemical and medicinal inventions.

Alexis Keating
MSci, PhD MIPLaw
LLB (Hons), BSc
Alexis has been promoted to Associate
within Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
Lawyers. Alexis is an IP Lawyer and
Registered Trade Marks Attorney
who has assisted with contentious
IP matters before the Federal Court
of Australia, both at trial and appellate
levels. She has also assisted with
matters including opposition proceedings before the
Trade Marks Office, Designs Office and Patent Office.

Alexis’ non-contentious practice includes the negotiation
and drafting of transactional documents, including
IP assignments and licences. She also does trade
mark prosecution. She was recently awarded a Frank
Pinkerton Scholarship for achieving the highest result in
Designs Law and Practice while completing a Master of
Intellectual Property Law at the University of Melbourne.

Adam Pepper
BSc, BEng(Hons), GradCertSocSc, MIP
Adam has been promoted to Associate
within our Electronics, Physics and IT
team. Adam has a decade of commercial
research and development experience
and is qualified in both electronic
engineering and applied physics,
having obtained dual Bachelor degrees
with Honours from RMIT University.

Adam joined Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick in 2016 as
a Trainee Patent Attorney after completing his Master
of Intellectual Property Law and is involved in patent
prosecution for both local and international clients.

Prior to joining Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick,
Adam was a Design Engineer at NEC, a Japanese
multinational provider of information technology
services and products.

Peter Wassouf
B.Eng (Mech) (Hons), B.Bus JD MIPLaw
Peter has been promoted to Associate
within our Engineering team. Peter is
a mechanical engineer with a passion
for innovation and the law. Since
joining Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
in 2014 Peter has worked on large
infrastructure projects, delivering
innovative and strategic solutions
with respect to mechanical, civil and electrical assets,
and also assists individuals and SMEs in protecting
and commercialising their inventions and designs.

Prior to joining Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, Peter
worked with a large water utility company, and
was actively involved in the delivery and review
of mechanical and civil infrastructure projects.

Peter also worked as a mechanical engineer for
a large global consultancy, where he was involved
in a variety of technical and strategic projects
and engaged with a diverse client base.

Inspire July 2020
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