Brisbane Office
Patent & Trade Mark Lawyers in Brisbane
Our Brisbane team has been part of James & Wells since 2019, and has grown to four patent attorneys working across biotechnology, engineering, and life sciences.
The team works directly with universities, research organisations, and ASX-listed companies, while drawing on the wider James & Wells network across Australia and New Zealand to support clients in any technology area.
- Patent Drafting & Prosecution
- Trade Mark Registration & Opposition
- IP Portfolio Management
- Commercialisation & Licensing
- Enforcement & Litigation Support
- Freedom-to-Operate Advice
Meet the Brisbane Team
Dr. Andrew Clarke
Partner
Registered Patent Attorney (AU) and Head of Biotechnology, with a PhD in immunology and 25+ years managing global patent portfolios in biomedical and next-generation therapeutics.
Adam Luxton
Partner
Registered Patent Attorney (AU) with 20+ years’ experience in mining, energy, medical devices and consumer products, and lead attorney in numerous Federal Court patent matters.
Dr. Taylor Smallwood
Associate
Registered Patent and Trade Mark Attorney (Australia & New Zealand) with a PhD in immunology and a background in peptide chemistry and drug discovery.
Dr. Beshara Sheehan
Trainee Patent Attorney
PhD in Cancer Cell Biology, focused on oncology, rare diseases and the commercialisation of life sciences innovations.
Industries We Support in Brisbane
Our Brisbane team advises businesses across the full spectrum of technology and industry sectors, with particular depth in biotechnology and life sciences, mining and resources, medical devices, and engineering — reflecting the specialist backgrounds of the attorneys based here.
Insights & Recognition From Our Team
The Full Federal Backflip: Patent Term Extension Rejected on Pharmaceutical Formulation
Dr. Andrew Clarke and Dr. Beshara Sheehan unpack a Full Federal Court decision narrowing patent term extensions to active pharmaceutical substances only, departing from earlier case law on formulation patents.
James & Wells Recognised in IAM Patent 1000 2026 Rankings
Partners Adam Luxton and Dr. Andrew Clarke, both based in Brisbane, were individually recognised in this year’s rankings for their patent prosecution and portfolio strategy work.
James & Wells Promotes Life Sciences Expert Taylor Smallwood to Associate
Dr. Taylor Smallwood has been promoted to Associate, recognising her growing contribution to the Brisbane Life Sciences patents team since joining as a registered patent and trade mark attorney.