Gold tier status for patent prosecution by IAM Patent 1000 2025

The IAM Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise. We are proud to have received the prestigious Gold Tier Ranking for Patent Prosecution Firms in Australia for 2025. Our unique blend of technical expertise and client-focused service has consistently earned us this top-tier ranking year after year.

It is with great pleasure that we recognise the outstanding contributions of our leaders in the field. Congratulations to Brett Lunn, Connie Merlino, Ian Rourke, Jeremy Dobbin, Jenny Petering, John Landells, Karin Innes, Madeleine Kelly, Patrick McManamny, Rachel Hooke, Steve Gledhill and Stuart Campbell in Australia; and Matt Adams in New Zealand for being named in IAM Patent 1000's recommended list for Patent Prosecution for 2025.

Commendation from IAM Patent 1000 2025

Several members of our team were honoured with a commendation in IAM Patent 1000 2025:

“Patent experts that work with their clients and not just for them”, FB Rice Patent & Trademark Attorneys “have consistently shown themselves to be a professional organisation with capable, customer-focused employees that are knowledgeable about a wide range of scientific IP matters”. Commendations from patrons continue: “With an ethos of building long-term, quality relationships with clients, the firm is professional, business oriented and pragmatic. All attorneys genuinely seem to enjoy their work and are a pleasure to work with.” Leading the charge of the “responsive, proactive, cost-conscious and pragmatic” team of 25 partners and 42 patent attorneys is head honcho Brett Lunn. While Lunn has transitioned to predominantly advisory work, he remains a visionary who seamlessly integrates intellectual property into clients' broader business strategies with an ease only he can bring. With him in Sydney, partners Connie Merlino, Jeremy Dobbin, Steve Gledhill and Stuart Campbell maintain FB Rice’s unparalleled position in the market. “Friendly, frank, flexible and expert in her advice”, Merlino is celebrated for her commercially focused advice and swift understanding of complex inventions. “Connie arranges for new patent application filings and advises on infringement and FTO matters. As a member of the UNSW AI Institute’s external advisory board, she has supported in managing the IP for one of our quantum computing spin-outs." Heading the registered designs team, Dobbin excels in patents and designs within mechanical and electromechanical engineering, with a notable focus on green technologies and recycling. Further galvanising the engineering team, Campbell is “extremely knowledgeable, diligent and responsive to the company's needs and holds an in-depth understanding of our business that is invaluable”, being particularly “instrumental in drafting and filing patents with precision, strategic claim modifications, and management of patent renewals and extension applications. Simply exceptional.” Leader of the life sciences team, Gledhill is popular among peers for his personability and keen insights, as they explain: “Steve is handling the portfolios of my two most important clients. They are both clinical-stage biotech companies with patents critical to their success. Steve and his team are working hand in glove with us to ensure that they cover my customers' commercial leads. I appreciate the attention he gives to ensure we get the right results.” In Melbourne, a biotech-heavy team includes expert Ian Rourke, who manages more than half of the CSIRO’s provisional applications. Further highlighting his invaluable prowess, other industry leaders in the biosciences space enthuse, “Ian’s exceptional leadership, strategic insight and attention to detail have been instrumental in navigating the complexities of global patent law, and his collaborative approach fosters strong relationships between legal and technical teams.” A trendsetter in the biotechnology space, partner Jenny Petering strikes gold for her exemplary management of international patent portfolios, with a focus on strategic planning, due diligence and opposition proceedings. Partner Patrick McManamny adds further firepower in managing international patent portfolios, FTO issues and due diligence for a diverse clientele, including multinational corporations, start-ups and research institutes. For peers, Karin Innes is the “go-to practitioner in Australia for all patent needs, with a success rate of 100%. I can send Karin my general impressions of rejections issued in an examiner's report, along with some proposed claim amendments and a request that she prepare and file the most suitable reply; she will do an outstanding job of responding in a way that is suitable pursuant to patent practice in Australia.” On the engineering side, Madeleine Kelly is “an excellent IP strategist. She has a great ability to be able to look across our whole portfolio and see where we might need to move or build out our offerings. Beyond that she is an excellent patent attorney and provides robust advice on our cases – always balancing the pragmatic or business context with the strict patent view.” Chemistry team partner John Landells “provides advice about our IP strategy across our process, formulation, polymorph and method of treatment filings. He carefully considers the pros and cons of different strategies, and explains them in simple language that enables us to make informed decisions. John is very customer focused, always making time for us and providing timely and thoughtful input.”

Thank you to our clients for being part of IAM’s extensive research analysis, and the incredible team at FB Rice for upholding superior client service.

See further recognition via our Awards.