Simon’s interest in IP comes from a genuine fascination for how things work. He enjoys meeting with clients and hearing how they have solved a problem or need that creatively progresses the technology in their specialised field.

“It is amazing how sometimes the simplest of ideas can become highly valuable IP.”

Simon’s day-to-day work involves everything from initial patentability advice, discussions regarding commercial approaches to IP, drafting patent applications, obtaining granted rights, and providing strategic IP advice.

Simon has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, including backyard inventors, university teams and start-ups, small to medium enterprises, as well as with large multinational firms. Simon’s approach tends to extend the scope of work performed beyond the standard drafting and prosecution tasks to include providing clients with guidance for managing their IP portfolio. This guidance may include advice on IP strategy, commercial opportunities (e.g. licensing), IP landscape analysis, infringement opinions and IP enforcement.

Simon’s industry experience, coupled with his academic qualifications, gives him the ability to address client needs on all levels, appreciating the perspective and drivers of both the inventors/engineers and the commercialisation managers. This helps Simon to quickly identify the truly valuable IP, and provide strategic advice that balances the technological and commercial needs of the client.

Prior to starting in IP, Simon gained 5 years of industry experience in mechanical, systems, and software engineering projects at Lockheed Martin Australia (now Leidos) and at the DMO (now CASG). During this time Simon became certified in both Systems Engineering and Agile Practices for PMI-ACP, whilst working on a variety of projects that covered the full spectrum of the systems engineering lifecycle. Simon is also proficient in using various design tools such as UGS-NX CAD, PTC Creo 2.0 and FEA/CFD in ANSYS.