Griffith Hack is pleased to congratulate Janelle Borham on being named president of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA).
Janelle, a principal in Griffith Hack’s ChemLife group, has been a member of IPTA’s Council for 15 years and previously held the position of vice president.
As Australia’s peak professional body for patent and trade mark attorneys, IPTA aims to promote improvements in patent, trade mark, design and plant breeder’s rights laws and regulations; maintain by-laws and a code of ethics for patent and trade mark attorneys; and to encourage communication and knowledge sharing between members.
Janelle steps into the presidency with the aim of supporting and uniting the IP profession, and progressing IPTA’s core mission.
“An objective of my presidency is to restore harmony and balance to the profession, and help all individual members feel supported and proud of their profession,” said Janelle.
“I look forward to taking on an enhanced management role within the organisation, including responding to more sensitive member questions and concerns, working with IP Australia to improve IP laws and their administration, working with IPTA staff, and engaging with Council members and IP Australia.”
Janelle has introduced several progressive initiatives into IPTA’s framework, including an industry-leading program of continuing professional development webinars that are available to the organisation’s membership base of over 900 practitioners.
“IPTA members rely on our Institute for high-quality education and training, so ensuring they have access to frequent and wide-ranging professional development opportunities is an important objective for me.”
Janelle originally started at Griffith Hack in 1994. She provides strategic IP advice to large corporations locally and overseas with a particular focus on food sciences, pharmaceuticals, energy technology and polymers. She is recognised as a leading practitioner by World IP Review, World Trade Mark Review, IAM Patent 100 and IP Stars.
Griffith Hack managing director Aaron LePoidevin commented, “On behalf of everyone at Griffith Hack, we are delighted to see Janelle named president of IPTA. As our industry’s peak professional body, IPTA plays an exceptionally important role in enhancing collaboration, communication and knowledge sharing amongst IP professionals. Janelle’s elevation to president is recognition of her significant contribution to IPTA and the confidence her fellow council members have in her ability to unify and advance the profession.”
