IAM Patent 1000 2022 recommends FB Rice and an impressive list of individuals

We are thrilled to receive a Gold tier ranking for Patent Prosecution in Australia by IAM Patent 1000 2022. At FB Rice, we combine world-leading expertise across biotechnology, chemistry, computer and electrical sciences, engineering, and medical technology with integrity and determination to help clients achieve their goals. We pride ourselves on our expertise and our ability to make our clients feel comfortable and respected at every stage of the process. It’s fantastic to see this unique approach has led us to attain a top ranking by IAM Patent 1000 for several years.

In addition to the firm’s recognition, IAM Patent 1000 has listed ten of our patent attorneys on their Recommended list for Patent Prosecution. Congratulations to Jeremy Dobbin, Steve Gledhill, Rachel Hooke, Karin Innes, Madeleine Kelly, John Landells, Brett Lunn, Patrick McManamny, Connie Merlino, and Jenny Petering who have been ranked as leaders in Australia for patent prosecution. Furthermore, congratulations to Ian Rourke who has been Highly Recommended for Patent Prosecution, one of only seven Australian attorneys recognised this year.

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.

We received the following commendation from IAM Patent 1000 2022:

IP prosecution powerhouse FB Rice is home to some of the best patent attorneys on the market. Its “technically excellent” team works across a range of cutting-edge technology areas, including biotechnology; chemistry; engineering; medical devices; pharmaceuticals; and software and communication technology. It also “provides a seamless service that integrates with our in-house case management system, reducing the administrative overhead for our own stretched team”.

Much of the group’s success can be attributed to managing partner Brett Lunn, who has now shifted his focus towards advisory work in the corporate space. The masterminds behind the firm’s renowned biotech practice are Ian Rourke, Rachel Hooke and Karin Innes. Rourke’s PhD in biochemistry proves invaluable to his medical and biotechnology work. With over 20 years of experience in the patent space, Hooke steers the medical technology and China teams with a steady hand, while simultaneously acting as co-leader of the engineering team. Senior associate Innes has proved to be an invaluable asset to the practice: “Karin’s expertise and that of her fellow practitioners at FB Rice has been a tremendous help to our business development and legal functions. She has been instrumental in helping us reinforce and improve our pre-disclosure review processes.” Jenny Petering has made a name for herself in the biotechnology sphere, thanks to her top-class strategic portfolio management. Highly passionate about Australian technological sciences, she is frequently invited to speak to the community on IP and patent-related topics.

Engineering partner Madeleine Kelly has earned the trust of individual inventors, universities and multinationals alike. One enthusiastic commentator notes: “I have nothing but praise for Madeleine being able to take on detailed technical inventions and produce patent specifications of very high quality. During prosecution she is adept at providing clear and concise summaries of cases, and provides well-thought-out recommendations to allow the in-house patent managers to easily take decisions on our important IP assets.” John Landells draws upon his PhD in chemistry to devise strategic prosecution programmes across the Trans-Tasman region. Jeremy Dobbin specialises in patents and designs in the mechanical and electro-mechanical engineering fields, and currently spearheads the registered designs team in Sydney; whereas Connie Merlino, also based in Sydney, captains the outfit’s computing and electronics team.

Making their debut this year in the IAM Patent 1000 are two more biotech mavens, Steve Gledhill and Patrick McManamny. Gledhill is the “star” of the team: “He is extremely knowledgeable in patent law in Australia and Europe/UK, and his technical knowledge, including in the area of vaccines, is unrivalled. He is young and enthusiastic, yet totally unflappable and consistent under enormous pressure. He is definitely one of the best patent attorneys in his field.” Melbourne-based McManamny regularly counsels patrons in relation to filing and management of international patent portfolios, freedom-to-operate issues, patentability and due diligence.

See more on this via IAM Patent 1000, and further recognition via our Awards.