Julian Smith

Tim’s practice involves contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law matters, with a focus on commercialisation of intellectual property rights. Tim’s non-contentious practice includes the preparation and negotiation of commercial agreements for all intellectual property and related rights, including commercialisation, assignment, licensing and confidentiality agreements. Tim regularly advises clients on general commercial matters, consumer protection and trade practi...

Elizabeth (Liz) specialises in all aspects of trade mark protection including selecting, searching, applying for and prosecuting trade mark applications (local and international). Liz has an extensive opposition and non-use practice and has exceptional knowledge and expertise in running opposition matters through to Hearing in the Trade Marks Office. Liz started the firm working in Davies Collison Cave Law Pty Ltd in 2000, working in all areas of IP litigation for 10 years before moving to th...

John has more than 25 years’ experience as a corporate and commercial lawyer. Having worked on deals in Australasia, Europe and the United States, John has extensive corporate and funds transactional experience. Primarily, his work has focused on property fund mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and secondary capital raisings, fund restructurings, and the launch of wholesale and retail syndicates and joint ventures. He has substantial experience in structuring, managing a...

Chris’ major area of practice is intellectual property litigation. He has more than 30 years experience in patent, trade mark, design, copyright, trade practices and confidential information litigation on behalf of both applicants and respondents. He has also acted in patent and trade mark oppositions before IP Australia. Chris joined the firm in 1989, becoming a partner in 2001. Chris has successfully acted in a number of significant matters before State Courts and the Federal and High...

Alex King is a disputes, litigation and insolvency lawyer. He has a broad client base, which includes private clients, family-based businesses, publicly listed companies, large institutions and government bodies, in Australia and overseas. Alex recognises that his clients’ commercial imperatives are often unsuited to the costs and inconvenience of full-scale litigation and works with them to explore ways in which a dispute or litigation might be resolved quickly and commercially. Howeve...

Adam Laidlaw is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Adam, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Adam is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jonathan Cutler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation. Jonathan, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Justin acts for Australia’s largest media and technology companies, including News Corp Australia, Nine, all three commercial television networks (Seven, Nine and Ten), national radio stations, AFL Media, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and technology companies including X Corp, Google and Reddit. Justin is available 24/7 for urgent advice and is ranked Band 1 by Chambers Asia Pacific for Media for 15 consecutive years — the longest uninterrupted Band 1 ranking for Media ...

Annalise Romer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Annalise, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Annalise is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rick joined Carina Ford Lawyers in 2005 having previously worked as a commercial litigation lawyer at Middletons Lawyers, Melbourne (now K&L Gates). He is a practicing lawyer, and also an LIV Accredited Immigration Law Specialist. Rick has extensive experience with all areas of migration law, including skilled migration, business migration (in particular TSS, ENS and RSMS applications), complex appeals and family migration.He is a regular presenter of migration law Continuing Professional...