TECHNOLOGY
LAW FIRM
Specializing in Patents, Trademarks, and Intellectual Property Strategy
SPECIALTY
AREAS
PATENTS
When technology is a crucial asset for your business
TRADEMARKS
Keeping your branding secure in the marketplace
IP STRATEGY
Ensuring resources devoted towards best commercial outcome
DUE DILIGENCE
Peace of mind for investors and those seeking investment
COMMERCIALISATION
Supporting the legal needs of growing technology companies
TRAINING & EDUCATION
Services for corporates, incubators, accelerators and universities
OUR VISION
Our mission is simple: to deliver the highest quality strategic IP advice, in a manner that is easy for clients to understand, and efficient in terms of resources.
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This is only achievable by a specialist who is across the complexities involved in IP strategy and technology commercialisation, but still appreciates that the true value of advice comes from cutting through that complexity to offer powerful and practical client solutions. Clients should not need to understand the nuanced intricacies of IP laws and systems; they want to know that there is a skilled advisor in their corner who can be trusted to identify the best decisions to support their desired outcomes.
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In Australia, only a handful of Patent Attorneys attended law school, and even fewer are qualified to practice as lawyers. This often leads to a disjoint in advice: a patent attorney is a technology specialist with a limited grasp of broader legal issues; and the patent attorney defers to a lawyer who typically has a limited grasp of the technology. This often jeopardises the commercial relevance and effectiveness of IP advice. With Forward IP, that issue simply does not arise.
Our advisory skills are supported by a passion for working with growing businesses, and functioning in the modern entrepreneurial ecosystem. Forward IP is not driven by shareholder interests; our drive is to work with smart companies and find fulfilment in their success.
OUR FOUNDER
MATT WARD
REGISTERED PATENT ATTORNEY
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
BSc LLB MIP
Matt has been practicing as a patent attorney and lawyer in Australia for close to 20 years, specialising in delivering innovative intellectual property strategies and bespoke legal services to technology companies, ranging from start-ups and scale-ups all the way through to ASX-listed entities.
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With over a decade of working in a large firm environment, and undertaking additional studies in the United States, Matt has had the opportunity to work with some of Australia's top practitioners and numerous large multinational technology companies. His studies include a bachelor degree in mathematical physics, undergraduate and postgraduate specialist legal degrees, and completion of the Venture Finance Programme delivered through the University of Oxford.
Matt's areas of practice in technology law extend across a range of business needs in the tech sector, including IP, patents, trademarks, licensing, litigation support, capital raising transactions, general commercial counsel, and more. The intersection of law and technology is a complex space, and one where specialist legal advice is crucial. Matt has experience negotiating complex licensing and other deals in such settings, often working in conjunction with more general commercial counsel from larger firms which lack his unique expertise.
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Matt certainly doesn't fit the conventional lawyer stereotype. Whilst delivering quality IP advice to smart companies is one of his life passions, he's just as comfortable flying drones for media projects in the Andes, designing mountain bike parks for the local community, or building experience as a heli ski guide in Alaska. He flourishes in high-intensity environments.
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CONTACT
FORWARD
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
OUR LOCATION
Come visit us at the Sydney Startup Hub
Level 2, 11 York Street, Sydney
Email: info@forward-ip.com
Tel: +61408228833
For any general queries, or to make an appointment request,
please fill in the following contact form:
