Karen Sinclair

Karen Sinclair is a patent and trade marks attorney based in Melbourne, and leads the Chemical & Life Sciences Practice Group.

Dynamic and energetic, Karen is passionate about strategically protecting, managing and commercialising client’s innovation in Australia and abroad. She has provided advice across patent and trade mark portfolios for a diverse range of Australian start-up and SME businesses in addition to well-known global multinationals in the chemical and pharmaceutical fields for over 35 years. Karen has worked on major IP governance projects and IP value extraction strategies for ASX listed companies, government corporations and professional colleges and not-for-profits for over 20 years.

A key element to Karen’s approach, is to help give clients the perspective required to turn their IP into a working portfolio of assets which delivers commercial outcomes, enhances their competitive position and aligns with the business’ overall objectives —“I love seeing my clients’ products on the shelf.” 

Technically qualified in chemistry and life sciences, Karen has extensive technical experience in small and large molecule pharmaceuticals, medical and biodegradable polymers, feminine and infant hygiene products, product formulation, consumer health care and nutraceuticals. With over 30 years of experience as a trade marks attorney, she has formal training and experience as a business leader and a company director, giving her a whole-of-business context for the work she executes for her clients.

Karen has been an expert witness on issues relating to Australian patent practice in Federal Court proceedings in Australia and in District Court proceedings in the United States of America. Her expertise in patent law and practice is also reflected in her long term appointment as a Senior Fellow in the Law School of the University of Melbourne where she teaches in the subject Patent Practice.