Experience

Russell's varied experience in intellectual property matters, coupled with his qualifications in internet computing, has seen him work with clients in industries as diverse as liquor and hospitality, industrial and commercial manufacturing, computer software and franchise systems.  He advises on the registration and commercialisation of patents, trademarks, registered designs, copyright and licensing agreements.  Russell is also a skilled adviser on misleading and deceptive conduct, consumer guarantees, passing off and the Competition and Consumer Act (formerly the Trade Practices Act).

Russell is also well-versed in property matters, advising clients on the sale and purchase of businesses, leasing and charges over companies, including advising on the new Personal Property Securities Act.  He also prepares shareholder agreements, company constitutions and trust documents.

Career highlights

• Advised an internationally known Western Australian winery on potential infringements of their trademark.
• Provided advice to various clients on website content to ensure that it was not misleading or deceptive and drafted standard terms and conditions in respect of small to medium businesses.
• Acted in the sale of a Kalgoorlie hotel, forming part of an international hotel chain. The sale included dealing with vendor finance, loan agreement, mortgages and liquor licensing, and sale of land and sale of business.
• As part of the property team, represented a boutique property developer in a significant corporate restructure, which involved the incorporation of the new company, issuing shares and transferring shares from one business to the other, drafting the sale of business agreement, shareholder agreement, option deeds and first right of refusal.
• Drafted complex management agreements with respect to the properties and assets comprising the NorthWest Development Fund.

Admitted to practice: 2006. 

Qualifications: Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science (Internet Computing). 

Memberships: Law Society of Western Australia, Licensing Executives Society Australia and New Zealand, Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Publications/presentations: Russell regularly contributes to the Law Central e-Newsletter and  co-authored the 2006-2007 edition of the Australian Financial Planning Handbook, published by Thomson Legal Group.