IPH is an international intellectual property services group; a network of member firms working throughout nine IP jurisdictions, with clients in more than 25 countries.

Our firms have been an integral part of Asia Pacific’s IP sector for more than 130 years, and the group recently expanded into Canada. Since listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 2014, IPH has experienced rapid growth, a testament to the group’s strong record of successful strategic acquisitions and mergers.

Our people are our greatest asset. Across IPH and our member firms, we now employ more than 1,200 people in Australia, Canada, China (Beijing and Hong Kong SAR), Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Thailand. Just as they are committed to the success of our clients and the IPH Group, so too are we committed to their success.

Commitment to Learning

We encourage employees to realise their full potential through ongoing training, continuing professional development, and a supportive learning environment, which includes on the job training through mentoring and leading by example, supported by our more formal in-house training programmes, which are run at both a Group and individual firm level. We also endeavour to provide employees at all levels with interesting, challenging work that encourages them to perform to the best of their ability, fostering a strong sense of accomplishment and job satisfaction.

We are a true meritocracy, and promote staff based on their accomplishments and expertise, not the length of time in a role. We are always looking for ways to provide opportunities for staff progression to enable people to learn new skills and develop their individual professional interests.

We acknowledge the importance of every employee and the role they play in our success. When looking for people to join the IPH Group, we take time to ensure that both our expectations and those of the candidate are aligned. Like in any successful relationship, it’s essential that we are the right fit for you, just as much as you are the right fit for our team.

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to establishing and maintaining work practices which promote and improve equity and employee involvement.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and individuals from diverse backgrounds. We remain committed to providing reasonable and fair adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free, transparent recruitment process and supportive workplace.

Perks & Benefits

The IPH group is proud of the incredible work of our people across the network and recognise the need to continue to develop a wide talent pipeline. To put it simply - we need more bright and enquiring minds to facilitate our key strategic goals and continue to innovate for our clients. We’re keen to attract junior talent and invest in developing them into our Future Leaders.

2024 will see a number of graduates join IPH as part of its formal Graduate Program on its pathway for early career talent to join IPH and our participating member firms. Please note, this is an expression of interest form to allow us to capture your interest and whilst we will confirm our 2024 opportunities by the end of June 2023, opportunities may exist across the following career pathways:

• IPH Group – Information Technology Graduate (Sydney), Marketing, and Legal Counsel (Sydney)
• Griffith Hack – Trainee Patent Attorney (Sydney/Melbourne/Perth)
• Spruson & Ferguson – Trainee Patent Attorney (Sydney)
• AJ Park – Trainee Patent Attorney (Wellington & Auckland)

Take the time to read more about each of our range of potential opportunities under the Job Opportunities section.

The program will commence in early 2024 and include an 18-month development program journey for all Graduates.

The Development Journey

Across the program, all Graduates will participate in 3 x 6-month rotations; providing a breadth of experience and exposure and the opportunity to decide a career path moving forward. 

While those joining the Attorney career pathway will spend the Graduate program in one member firm, all Graduates are able to apply for opportunities across all Group locations once the program is completed.

At the completion of the program, Graduates will transition into full time role/confirmed practice group or corporate role.

Over the 18 months graduates will have:

• Buddies
• Mentors from a different area of the business
• Opportunities to network and connect with fellow Graduates
• Exposure to IPH Group strategy and stakeholders
• 3 x 6-month rotations across different practice groups & shared services teams   
• Study assistance
• Quarterly development sessions/days linked to IPH core capabilities 
• Opportunities to develop foundation level technical capabilities 
• Exposure to the IPH Group (including strategy and key stakeholders)

IPH Group

IPH is an international intellectual property services group; a network of member firms working throughout nine IP jurisdictions, with clients in more than 25 countries. Providing corporate services to our member firms we work together as a collaborative network of member firms. We acknowledge the importance of every employee and the role they play in our success. When looking for people to join the IPH Group, we take time to ensure that both our expectations and those of the candidate are aligned.

AJ Park

At AJ Park we turn ideas into assets through intelligent action. With offices in Auckland and Wellington, AJ Park is one of the largest IP firms in the region with the track record, broad technological expertise and services to cover every stage of the IP lifecycle.  Our sector expertise spans biotechnology, information technology, life sciences, mechanical and electrical engineering, fashion and fast-moving consumer goods – we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with some pretty cool subject matter.

The team is made up of a diverse group of intelligent and driven people who are passionate about what they do and aren’t afraid to seek innovative solutions.  We aren’t your typical law firm, with a flat structure and an informal and collegial environment, with a focus on developing the capability of our people and rewarding career paths.

Griffith Hack

At Griffith Hack, we’re using the lens of IP to give clients a fresh perspective on markets, business opportunities, innovation, and brands. Beyond simply protecting IP, we help businesses grow through focusing on the outcomes that support commercial sustainability and innovation. As a Firm we’re changing and see ourselves as a challenger brand. We have a dynamic young leadership team who are passionate about bringing together the best and brightest in our industry and growing tomorrow’s attorneys from today’s industry thinkers. We reward based on capability not tenure and our leaders are focused on mentoring and supporting their whole practice group. 

Spruson & Ferguson Australia

Established in 1887, Spruson & Ferguson is one of the largest intellectual property (IP) service providers in the Asia-Pacific. As a leading Asia-Pacific IP firm, we have offices in Australia, China (Beijing and Hong Kong), Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand as well as direct filing capabilities in Brunei, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Over the years Spruson & Ferguson has established itself as a regional IP hub, offering the highest standard of service to our clients throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Spruson & Ferguson companies are members of the IPH Limited group, which includes a range of professional services firms operating under a number of brands in a range of jurisdictions.

The IPH and Beacon Foundation partnership

IPH is proudly in partnership with the Beacon Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation based in Australia that works with schools, businesses and communities to bridge the gap between education and industry. With the help of its partners, the Beacon Foundation aims to delivering meaningful work exposure and career opportunities to inspire underprivileged students.

Alongside IPH’s commitment of $500,000 over a five-year period to the Beacon Foundation, IPH and member firm staff now have frequent opportunities to volunteer in programs run by Beacon held both within our offices in Australia and virtually.

The Beacon Foundation aims to deliver meaningful work exposure and career opportunities to inspire underprivileged students. 

For more information on our partnership with the Beacon Foundation, check out the video below:

IPH is developing a Reconciliation Action Plan in FY23 in partnership with STEM based not for profit organisations. At IPH we feel this is an important step to ensure we take authentic steps to uplift and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our business moving forward. 

We look forward to working collaboratively with our people and clients to bring this commitment to life.

Budiman - IPH

Budiman is a service desk analyst working as part of the IPH Group’s IT team.

He studied a Batchelor of Information Technology and has recently completed his Master of Information Systems. 

Having previously worked for an IT outsourcing company, Budiman is really enjoying being part of an in-house IT function where he has the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of projects enabling him to develop his skills and experience.

In his current role, Budiman is enjoying working with the broader team to maintain the stability of our systems and connecting directly with the end user. The diversity of the IPH Group makes the work interesting and with no day being the same he is thriving on the development opportunities the role brings.

Shinami – Griffith Hack

Shinami is a trainee patent attorney in Griffith Hack’s engineering and ICT team.

He is a qualified mechatronic and biomedical engineer and uses his technical knowledge to help protect and commercialise the intellectual property of his clients across a range of technology areas, including healthcare, advanced manufacturing and telecommunications. 

Shinami has particular expertise with medical device technology, which makes him a valued IP advisor in this field. He works with innovative clients from both industry and venture capital to draft and prosecute patent applications, and thrives on understanding the technical nuances and complexities behind each device and idea.

Shinami enjoys the variety and challenge that comes with working with clients of all sizes and levels of maturity. From individual inventors looking to launch their innovation to the world, to large-scale research teams at the cutting edge of technology, he applies his experience and knowledge to provide incisive guidance on IP protection and strategy.

Shinami is currently studying a Masters of IP Law to become a registered Patent Attorney in Australia. He enjoys collaborating with senior IP professionals at Griffith Hack to further develop and enhance his capabilities.

What is a Trainee Patent Attorney?

To become a trainee patent attorney, we would be seeking degree qualified individuals who have completed a science or engineering degree, preferably in a field of life sciences, medical technology or mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or related engineering technologies including physics.

The role of a trainee patent attorney is to 

• Using technical expertise to interpret and analyse patent specifications, drawings, standards, regulations, technical literature and related products and processes;
• Assisting in interviewing inventors and drafting technical descriptions of inventions and industrial designs;
• Performing searches of patents and industrial designs;
• Analysing searches and search results regarding inventions and designs, including examination reports issued by government patent and designs offices, and assisting in advising clients in relation thereto; and
• Preparing correspondence for submission to government patent and designs offices in the pursuit of patent and design protection for clients’ IP protection.

As part of our commitment to professional development our trainee patent attorneys will go on to undertake studies in intellectual property (Master of Intellectual Property) towards gaining registration as a qualified patent attorney.