Tom Cordiner KC

Practice Areas

Tom Cordiner KC holds the dual qualification of barrister and registered patents and trade mark attorney.

After a short stint as a molecular geneticist in the mid 1990’s, Tom has specialised in all aspects of intellectual property law. He was admitted to the bar in 2003 and appointed silk in 2016. Tom is also enrolled as a barrister of the High Court of New Zealand.

Tom commonly appears in the Federal Court of Australia in trials and appeals throughout Australia, and from time to time the Patents Office and Trade Marks Office. He appears for, and advises, a broad range of clients in all kinds of industries including pharmaceutical, mining, automotive, agricultural, information technology/telecommunications, wagering, and fashion.

Tom contributes to IPForum each quarter and is the author of Patent Infringement in Lahores, published by Lexis Nexis and is often called on to speak at or chair intellectual property seminars.

Professional Memberships

Member of the Board of Directors of List G Barristers

Law Council of Australia, Intellectual Property Committee

Commercial Bar Association, IP and Trade Practices Section

Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ)

Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (IPTA)

Career

Prior to joining the law, Tom obtained tertiary qualifications in science and law and earned an honours degree in molecular genetics with a project funded by Florigene Ltd (responsible for the “Blue Rose” and “Long-life carnation” projects) at Melbourne University.

From 1998 to 2003, Tom was a solicitor with Ashurst (then Blake Dawson Waldron), including taking on a six-month secondment at GE Capital. He became a registered patent attorney and trade marks attorney while with the firm, drafting and prosecuting mechanical and molecular biology patents, and assisting clients in a range of technologies.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation