James & Wells is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Sam Mickan as a Partner in its Australian patents team, further enhancing the firm’s capability in complex, technology-driven intellectual property matters. Sam joins James & Wells from Australian IP firm Davies Collison Cave, where he advised a broad range of innovative clients on securing and leveraging their IP assets.
Sam has a distinguished background in electrical and electronic engineering and brings extensive experience across software, ICT, and related high-technology sectors. He is recognised for providing commercially focused advice to clients ranging from emerging technology companies to large multinational organisations.
“Sam’s appointment is an exciting step in the continued growth of our Australian patents practice and our broader Australia and New Zealand offering,” said Adam Luxton, Partner at James & Wells. “He combines deep technical expertise with a sophisticated understanding of the commercial drivers that matter to innovative businesses, which aligns perfectly with the way James & Wells supports its clients. Sam has worked with an excellent and highly engaged client base, and we look forward to working with him to further strengthen the services we provide to Australian and international clients operating in complex technology sectors.”
“I am excited to be joining James & Wells because they have an excellent reputation in IP circles, they have many experienced professionals, they have a long history of excellence, and are still growing in Australia from their roots in New Zealand, guided by co-founder Ceri Wells” said Sam. “At James & Wells, I believe I can provide clients with the very best technical and legal expertise immediately and long into the future. James & Wells is one of the few remaining large independent IP firms in Australasia, and is committed to remaining attorney-owned. The structure and culture of James & Wells gives clients certainty that they and their IP will be looked after in the long-term, both securely and efficiently.”
Prior to his patent attorney career, Sam worked for two years in the physics research labs of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York, with Prof. XC Zhang’s Terahertz Technology group, leading to various patent filings. Sam is fluent in German, having studied at Universität Stuttgart as an undergraduate, and worked briefly at the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg.
At James & Wells, Sam will focus on helping Australian and international clients develop and execute patent strategies that support their innovation and growth objectives. In particular, he will work closely with businesses operating in software, ICT, electronics, and other fast-evolving technology fields, as well as research organisations and high‑growth startups seeking to build and protect valuable IP portfolios.
