1
Andrew Fox SC
5 Wentworth Chambers 'Andrew is one of the new generation of IP silks in Australia with a well deserved reputation for thoughtful advocacy, versatility and the ability to run difficult and complicated trials.'
Noted for being ‘a strong IP floor,’ 5 Wentworth Chambers finds its strengths in a wide range of issues affecting the TMT and IP space, including IP disputes, patent proceedings, trade mark related matters and copyright infringement. Andrew Fox SC appears regularly before the Federal Court in Australia in patent and trade mark oppositions held at IP Australia, and represented the Microsoft Corporation in an appeal concerning an application for a retail following a previous judgement which dismissed Microsoft’s claims for copyright infringement, trademark infringement and contravention of the Australian Consumer Law (Microsoft Corporation v CPL Notting Hill Pty Ltd). Julian Cooke SC frequently acts for clients in the pharmaceutical, telecommunications and mining industries in litigation, while Catherine Bembrick appears both led and unled in patent and trade mark matters. Phoebe Arcus and Edward Thompson are further names to watch.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- '5 Wentworth is a particularly strong IP floor. I don\'t have any insight on training, but more senior floor members are always very supportive of their juniors and try to get them involved where they can.'
- 'Sarah Tiffen of 5 Wentworth is fantastic.'
- 'Generally, practitioners are of high calibre in terms of legal training and expertise.'
- 'A talented team who are very approachable, highly responsive and also cost effective in the provision of legal services.'
- 'Wentworth Level 5 is an impressive chambers, with strong TMT and IP credentials.'
Silks
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
2
Cynthia Cochrane SC
5 Wentworth Chambers2
Julian Cooke SC
5 Wentworth Chambers 'Extremely intelligent, very organised and has a grasp of very complicated and highly complex issues involving science and technology.'
2024 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Phoebe Arcus SC
5 Wentworth Chambers ‘Phoebe is an effective advocate, trusted by the IP specialist judges as an expert in her field and as having integrity. Phoebe has deep expertise in patent law, which is very valuable on complex patent matters.’
Juniors
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
1
Catherine Bembrick
5 Wentworth Chambers 'Catherine is well regarded for her technical legal expertise.'
1
David Larish
5 Wentworth Chambers ‘David has a brilliant mind. He has a great memory, he is a logical thinker and has great attention to detail. He is also a very good advocate. He speaks very well, slowly and carefully.'
2
Robert Clark
5 Wentworth Chambers ‘Rob’s strengths are his excellent knowledge of the area, ability and willingness to become part of the team and involvement in all aspects of the preparation of a case. He has strong advocacy skills.’
2
Sam Hallahan
5 Wentworth Chambers ‘Sam is thorough and highly capable in technical subject matter. His written advocacy is very strong.’
2
Joseph Elks
5 Wentworth Chambers 'Joseph is an impressive junior counsel, who rolls his sleeves up and is not afraid to work hard, has an impressive intellect, and is easy to work with.'
2
Ben Mee
5 Wentworth Chambers ‘Ben is technically very strong. He is also a great team player who is always willing to assist and who contributes very effectively.’
2
Edward Thompson
5 Wentworth Chambers ‘Edward is exceptionally well prepared. His written closing submissions are stellar. He is always around and responsive when you need him.’
2
David Larish
5 Wentworth Chambers ‘David is an exceptional junior barrister. He has a very thorough knowledge of the areas of law in which he practices, he is tactically astute (far beyond his years of call), extremely hardworking and easy to deal with.’