Miriam Zanker
Principal Lawyer
Areas of Expertise/Sector
IP & Commercial Dispute Resolution & LitigationMusicTrade Mark Infringement & EnforcementPatentsCopyrightDomain NamesTrade Secrets & Data ProtectionDesigns Infringement & EnforcementArts, Media & FashionMedical TechnologyFood & BeverageConsumer GoodsBiotechnologyMiriam is a principal lawyer in the litigation group of Davies Collison Cave Law. She practices in intellectual property litigation, predominantly in the areas of patent and trade mark litigation.
Miriam also advises on issues of copyright and design infringement, and has assisted in running complex litigation in Federal Court and High Court of Australia, for Australian and international companies across a broad range of industries. Miriam’s experience also includes advising on patent and trade mark enforcement strategies, brand protection and protection of confidential information. Miriam’s studies in Science included majoring in Genetics at the University of Melbourne, with her Honours studies in 1999 focusing on tracking the intracellular movement of proteins in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans under different growth conditions, for the purpose of investigating possible modes of protein activation and protein function. Prior to joining Davies Collison Cave Law in 2006, Miriam practised in general commercial litigation and commercial law and had experience litigating in various Victorian and New South Wales state courts and tribunals.
Miriam has assisted in complex and long-running patent and design litigation in the Federal Court and associated appeals to the Full Federal Court and High Court, involving issues of infringement and revocation for Australian and international clients, including businesses in the fields of biotechnology, manufacturing, building & construction, and fashion. She has also assisted with the preparation of patent opposition cases for hearing and has advised and litigated on issues relating to the ownership and licensing of patent and design rights.
Miriam provides advice on strategies for the enforcement and protection of trade mark rights, and protection of brand reputation and other trade practices issues. She regularly assists with trade mark litigation in the Federal Court. Her clients include businesses in the manufacturing and retail industries, both in Australia and internationally. Miriam has assisted in the preparation of evidence in trade mark oppositions and appeals to the Federal Court of Australia.
Miriam also has experience in advising businesses, including those in the information technology, fashion and retail industries, in relation to the protection and enforcement of their copyright. She has also assisted businesses and individuals in protecting their confidential and commercially sensitive information and has advised on issues relating to ownership of intellectual property created by employees.
Qualifications
Admitted to practise as a Barrister and Solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Federal and High Courts of Australia
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Genetics), University of Melbourne
Master of Laws, University of Melbourne
Awards
Best Lawyers Australia: Ranked Highly for Intellectual Property Law, 2021 - 2025
The Legal 500: Listed under Asia Pacific Ranking - Intellectual Property, 2022
Memberships
Member: Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand
Member: Law Institute Victoria
Member: Law Society of New South Wales
Member: International Trademark Association (INTA)
Member: AusBiotech
Member: Litigation Lawyers Sections of the Law Institute of Victoria
Member: International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)