Michael Wolnizer
DCC Group Managing Principal
Trade Mark Attorney
Areas of Expertise/Sector
Trade MarksUniversities & Research InstitutionsTrade Mark Infringement & EnforcementTrade Mark Portfolio Management, Maintenance & RenewalsTrade Mark Filing, Prosecution & RegistrationMedical TechnologyDomain NamesPacific Island Trade MarksTrade Mark Clearance SearchingIP Portfolio Management, Maintenance & RenewalsFood & BeverageConsumer GoodsAerospace & DefenceMichael practices in all areas of trade mark law including availability and infringement searches, prosecution, opposition and trade mark infringement issues and related copyright, trade practices and associated common law actions.
Michael manages the trade mark portfolios of numerous Australian and multi national companies.
Michael has particular expertise in internet related trade mark and copyright issues and he heads up Davies Collison Cave’s domain name practice group. He was a member of the inaugural auDA Domain Name Advisory Panel whose recommendations led to the reform of policy in the .au name space in 2000. He has also been a member of the INTA Internet Committee.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of Tasmania
Master of Laws, University of Melbourne
Registered Trade Marks Attorney
Awards
Best Lawyers Australia: Ranked Highly for Intellectual Property Law, 2014 – 2025
Expert Guides – Trade Mark Lawyers: Nominated as being among the World’s Leading Trade Mark Law Practitioners, 2009, 2012-2014, 2016 & 2018
World Trademark Review 1000: listed as a leading individual for trade mark prosecution and strategy, 2012-2018 & 2020-2025
World Trade Mark Review Global Leaders: listed as a leading global trade mark expert, 2020; Listed as a Global Leader in Private Practice, 2024
International Trademark Association (INTA): Volunteer Service Award (VSA) in the Advancement of the Association category.
Managing Intellectual Property ‘IP Stars’: Ranked highly as an Australian ‘IP Star’, 2014-2024
International Who’s Who of Trade Mark Lawyers: listed a leading Trade Mark practitioner, 2014-2016 & 2018
AsiaLaw Leading Lawyers: Leading lawyer for Intellectual Property, 2014-2016 & 2018
Asia Pacific Legal 500: Leading individual for IP, 2014
Asia IP Experts: Leading lawyer in trade marks, 2013. Leading lawyer in trade marks and copyright, 2015
Doyle’s Guide: Listed as a Preeminent Victorian Trade Mark Lawyer 2015; Recommended as a Victorian Copyright & Soft IP Lawyer 2015; Recommended as an Intellectual Property Lawyer 2015; Listed as a Leading Victorian Trade Mark Lawyer 2016
Doyle’s Guide: Listed as a Leading Victorian Non-Contentious IP Lawyer 2015 & 2020 & 2021 & 2024
Corporate Live Wire Legal Awards: Most outstanding Trade Mark Lawyer, 2015
Who’s Who Legal: Australia: Recognised as a leading trade marks lawyer, 2018-2021 & 2024
Who’s Who Legal: Global Elite Thought Leaders, 2020
The Legal 500: Listed under Asia Pacific Ranking - Intellectual Property, 2022
World Intellectual Property Review WIPR Leaders 2022-2024
Memberships
Past Vice Chair: INTA Emerging Issues Committee
Past Member: INTA Global Advisory Counsel – Asia Pacific
Fellow: Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (IPTA)
Member: Australian Domain Administration
Member: Institute of Patent & Trade mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA)
Member: Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ)
Member: International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Member: International Trade Mark Association
Member: Law Council of Australia
Member: Licensing Executive Society of Australia and New Zealand (LESANZ)