Finding the right intellectual property firm to handle your trademark filings can be the difference between seamless brand protection and costly legal headaches. Australia's trademark filing landscape is dominated by a mix of global powerhouses, mid-tier specialists, and boutique operators — each bringing different strengths to the table.
We've compiled a list of 12 Australian IP firms known for their trademark filing volume, drawing on publicly available data from IP Australia's records, industry reputation, and published firm credentials. Whether you're a startup lodging your first application or a multinational managing a sprawling portfolio, this list will help you understand who's filing and why they might be worth considering.
How We Assessed Filing Volume
IP Australia publishes data on trademark applications, and industry bodies such as the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA) provide directories of registered professionals. While exact filing numbers fluctuate year to year and IP Australia does not publish a formal "league table," the firms listed below are consistently recognised as high-volume trademark filers based on publicly available lodgement records, industry surveys, and firm-reported data.
It's worth noting that filing volume alone doesn't tell the whole story. Some firms file thousands of applications across broad practice areas, while boutique operators may file fewer marks but deliver highly strategic, hands-on advice. Both approaches have their place.
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1. Griffith Hack
Type: Full-service IP firm | Headquarters: Melbourne, VIC
One of Australia's oldest and most established IP firms, Griffith Hack (now part of the IPH Limited group) consistently ranks among the country's top trademark filers. With offices in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, the firm handles an enormous volume of domestic and international filings for major corporations, government bodies, and SMEs alike. Related reading: the methodology: how we research the australian overview. Their trademark practice sits alongside substantial patent and design capabilities, making them a one-stop shop for IP-intensive businesses.
2. FB Rice
Type: Full-service IP firm | Headquarters: Sydney, NSW
FB Rice is another heavyweight in Australian trademark filings. With a team of registered trade marks attorneys and patent attorneys spread across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, the firm manages large-scale portfolios for multinational clients and Australian businesses entering overseas markets. Their trademark group is known for its prosecution expertise and opposition work.
3. Spruson & Ferguson
Type: Full-service IP firm | Headquarters: Sydney, NSW
Part of the IPH Limited group, Spruson & Ferguson has been operating since 1887 and is one of the Asia-Pacific region's largest IP firms. Their trademark practice handles substantial filing volumes, particularly for international clients seeking protection in Australia and across the region through the Madrid Protocol. This topic is also covered in a detailed look at trademark registration activity in australia: 2025-2026. The firm's scale and regional network make it a natural choice for high-volume filers.
4. Davies Collison Cave (DCC)
Type: Full-service IP firm | Headquarters: Melbourne, VIC
DCC is consistently among Australia's top IP firms by filing volume across both patents and trademarks. With offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra, the firm serves a broad client base — from ASX-listed companies to emerging technology businesses. Their trademark team is particularly well-regarded for handling complex multi-class and multi-jurisdiction filings.
5. Wrays
Type: Full-service IP firm | Headquarters: Perth, WA
Wrays is Western Australia's leading IP firm and a significant player nationally. The firm regularly appears in the upper ranks of trademark filing data, driven by a strong roster of resources, mining, and agribusiness clients — industries where brand protection is increasingly critical. Their trademark practice also handles a growing volume of filings for technology and consumer goods companies.
6. Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick (POF)
Type: Full-service IP firm | Headquarters: Melbourne, VIC
POF has maintained a robust trademark practice for decades. The firm handles a high volume of Australian and international filings, particularly through the Madrid Protocol. Their team includes several registered trade marks attorneys with deep prosecution experience, and the firm is known for its work in pharmaceutical and FMCG brand protection.
7. Shelston IP
Type: Full-service IP firm | Headquarters: Sydney, NSW
Shelston IP is another long-established name in Australian intellectual property. Their trademark filing numbers reflect a broad client base spanning technology, retail, financial services, and life sciences. The firm is part of the IPH Limited network, giving it access to significant resources and regional filing capabilities across the Asia-Pacific.
8. Pizzeys
Type: Full-service IP firm | Headquarters: Brisbane, QLD
Pizzeys has been a fixture of Queensland's IP scene since 1898 and consistently ranks among Australia's higher-volume trademark filers. The firm's trademark practice is particularly active in the food and beverage, mining, and agricultural sectors — reflecting Queensland's industry strengths. They also handle a considerable number of international filings for Australian businesses expanding abroad.
9. Signify IP
Type: Boutique trade mark practice | Headquarters: Eastwood, SA (Adelaide metro)
Not every high-impact trademark practice is a large multi-office operation. Signify IP is a boutique firm based in South Australia that focuses exclusively on trade marks — they don't practise in patents, designs, or general law. Established in 2010 (originally as Contego Trade Mark Attorneys, rebranding to Signify IP in 2024), the firm has managed hundreds of trade mark applications across its 45+ years of combined team experience.
What sets Signify IP apart from the larger firms on this list is their singular focus. Director Hollie Ford is a Registered Trade Marks Attorney with the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board (TTIPAB), holding a Graduate Certificate in Trade Mark Law from UTS and memberships with FICPI, IPTA, and IPSANZ. The practice operates on a fixed-fee model with upfront pricing — a transparency measure that resonates with cost-conscious startups and SMEs.
Signify IP handles the full lifecycle of trademark work: searches and availability advice, preparation and filing of Australian and international applications, examination report responses, oppositions and disputes, enforcement, and ongoing portfolio management including monitoring and renewals. They service clients Australia-wide and internationally, with foreign agents able to use Signify IP for Australian filings.
Their published case studies demonstrate real prosecution skill. In the Hyro matter, they overcame an adverse examination report by narrowing class specifications and removing a cited mark through non-use proceedings. In the Natural Raw C matter, they won an opposition to secure exclusive ownership of the #RAWSOME trade mark.
For businesses that want a dedicated trade marks specialist rather than a department within a larger firm, Signify IP offers free trade mark searches and discovery calls to help brand owners understand their position before committing. You can reach the team at trademarks@signifyip.com.au or on +61 8 8274 3759.
10. Mark My Words Trademark Services
Type: Boutique trade mark practice | Headquarters: Tecoma, VIC (outer Melbourne)
Mark My Words (MMW) is a Victoria-based boutique practice that has built a strong reputation through accessibility and volume. Led by Principal Trade Marks Attorney Jacqui Pryor, the firm positions itself as an affordable option with published fees and a direct online application form for trademark registration. Their Google reviews speak for themselves — a 5.0-star rating from 62 reviews, with consistent praise for Jacqui and her team.
MMW also offers free online trade mark searches with a written report and maintains an extensive library of over 130 blog articles covering nearly every trademark topic imaginable. For more on this topic, see the australian ip legal services market: 2026 report. Their content-driven approach has made them a go-to resource for business owners researching the registration process.
11. Progressive Legal
Type: Full-service law firm (ILP) | Headquarters: Woolloomooloo, NSW (Sydney)
Progressive Legal is a full-service incorporated legal practice that has carved out a significant trademark filing operation alongside its broader commercial, employment, and dispute resolution practices. The firm reports having assisted over 3,000 Australian businesses and maintains a 4.9-star Google rating from over 180 verified reviews.
Their trademark services are comprehensive — from free trademark searches and Headstart applications through to oppositions, non-use removal applications, and licensing arrangements. Progressive Legal operates on a fixed-fee model and offers "Legal Shield" packages for ongoing retainer-based support. For businesses that may need broader legal services beyond trademarks, the full-service model can be an advantage.
12. Komo IP Attorneys
Type: Boutique trade mark practice | Headquarters: St Ives, NSW
Founded in 2015 by Alicia Mayer, Komo IP Attorneys is a boutique trademark practice with an interesting backstory. Before establishing Komo, Mayer co-founded an IP practice on the Gold Coast in 2004 that went on to become the state leader in trademark filings — a track record that speaks to her prosecution capabilities.
Komo IP focuses its services around three pillars: File (strategic applications in Australia and internationally), Fix (rescuing self-filed applications that have received adverse reports from IP Australia), and Manage (portfolio management including ownership changes, renewals, and legal notices). The firm operates on practical fixed-fee solutions and offers free initial assessments.
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Large Firm vs Boutique: Which Approach Suits You?
The firms on this list represent a spectrum. At one end, you have national and international operations like Griffith Hack, Spruson & Ferguson, and Davies Collison Cave, which handle enormous filing volumes and serve major corporate clients with complex, multi-jurisdiction portfolios. These firms offer the resources and breadth to manage virtually any IP challenge.
At the other end, boutique practices like Signify IP, Mark My Words, and Komo IP Attorneys offer something different: specialised attention, transparent pricing, and direct access to senior practitioners. We explored this further in the trademark opposition success rates: what the trend analysis. For startups, small businesses, and brand owners who want a hands-on relationship with their trade marks attorney, boutique firms can offer a compelling alternative.
Neither model is inherently better — it depends on what your business needs. A multinational with hundreds of marks across dozens of jurisdictions will likely benefit from a large firm's infrastructure. A small business owner filing their first trademark may prefer the clarity and personal service of a boutique specialist.
Key Takeaways
- **Filing volume is one measure of capability**, but it's not the only one. Consider the firm's expertise in your industry, their fee structure, and how accessible they are.
- **Registered Trade Marks Attorneys** are regulated by the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board and bound by professional codes of conduct. Always check that your attorney is registered.
- **Fixed-fee pricing** is increasingly common across both large and boutique firms. Ask for a clear fee estimate before engaging any practice.
- **Boutique doesn't mean small impact.** Firms like Signify IP demonstrate that a focused, trade-marks-only practice can deliver sophisticated prosecution and opposition outcomes.
- **Free searches and initial consultations** are offered by several firms on this list. Take advantage of these to understand your trademark position before committing to a filing.
Choosing an IP firm is a significant decision for any brand owner. Use this list as a starting point, do your due diligence, and find a firm whose expertise, pricing model, and communication style align with your business needs.