Dispute Resolution: The Bar
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 8066 6100Chambers Review
5 Wentworth Chambers houses nearly 40 barristers with expertise ranging across the full commercial and public law spectrum and experience extending to the highest level in both Commonwealth courts and, on a pan-Australian basis, individual state courts. Within this varied offering, the set fields particularly noteworthy expertise in the intellectual property and employment spheres, with one interviewee observing: "5 Wentworth has a very strong line up of IP specialists." Speaking more generally, another source states: "The barristers have technical legal excellence balanced with an appreciation for commercial imperatives for clients." Clerk to chambers Sarah Tiffen is the recommended contact.
Notable Practitioners
Ben Mee focuses closely on patent-related issues arising in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and IT sectors, a specialism backed by his personal qualifications in the biochemistry sphere.
"He is a very capable junior counsel."
"Ben is a very savvy junior."
David Larish's IP practice is principally focussed on patent and trade mark issues and embraces particularly noteworthy experience of involvement in major cases arising in the pharmaceutical sector.
"He is probably the best junior counsel for patent litigation in Australia."
"A very sharp, strong and effective advocate. David stays cool under pressure."
Andrew Fox SC is a highly respected barrister operating in the IP sphere, winning particular praise for the strength of his patent and trade mark expertise.
"Andrew has great commercial awareness of what the client is seeking to achieve."
"Andrew provided excellent legal advice while providing strategic and practical options, which was precisely the right balance for the clients!"
Catherine Bembrick regularly represents clients on a variety of employment matters, including but not limited to work relating to unfair dismissals and harassment and discrimination.
"Clients can trust that Catherine will provide them with concise legal advice which reflects an empathetic understanding of their commercial needs and drivers in the litigation."
"She is very thoughtful, very measured and she can get to the nub of the problem very quickly."
Dan Fuller is experienced in employment and industrial law and has been instructed on behalf of a range of public bodies.
"He is an outstanding junior counsel with excellent counsel skills."
"He's very technical, strategic and prepared."
Joseph Elks has been recognised for his mettle in the patent infringement and invalidity space. He also represents clients on matters involving copyright and trade mark proceedings.
"He is very capable for patent and trade mark work."
"Joe has the rare specialisation of IP and tax, and is an excellent barrister."
Julian Cooke SC offers experience, up to and including High Court level, of litigation in all areas of IP law, being particularly adept where matters arising from the media, mining, pharmaceutical or telecommunications sectors are concerned.
"Julian is particularly strong in the patent space. He is a trusted advisor."
"He is very pragmatic in his approach and realistic in what can be achieved."
Rob Clark has a wide-ranging practice, with experience advising across complex patent, trade mark, copyright and design matters.
"He is very strong in trade marks and commercial law."
"Rob is building an excellent reputation in trade marks. He brings rigour and deep expertise to his matters."
Sam Hallahan is acknowledged for his prowess in the domain of intellectual property, with specific focus on infringement work.
"He was practical, candid and thorough."
Dominique Hogan-Doran SC maintains an impressively varied practice within which matters of financial services and superannuation law and involvement in a number of high-profile Royal Commissions and other inquiries feature prominently.
"She is smart and very good."
Phoebe Arcus SC focuses her intellectual property practice on patent and trade practices issues and appears regularly in Federal Court cases.
"She is a very strong black letter lawyer and a creative thinker."
"Phoebe does a fantastic job in cross examination. She is also always available, practical and hardworking."