Susan Gatford

Susan is a commercial law specialist with a proven reputation at the Bar and a significant history of commercial litigation as a solicitor. She was a Law Firm Partner prior to being called to the Bar. Whilst based in Melbourne, Susan appears nationally. She accepts advocacy briefs and advice briefs, appears as counsel and is also a Mediator in ADR matters. When acting as counsel, Susan is generally briefed alone, or with a Junior.

Beyond her broad Commercial Law practice, Susan has particular expertise in intellectual property law, including patents, designs, trademarks, copyright and moral rights. In addition to this she has a keen focus on breach of confidence claims, information technology matters and Australian Consumer Law and Corporations Act disputes. Susan also accepts briefs in property law, privacy, contract law and wills and estates disputes.

Susan is briefed in matters that are often complex and involve multiple parties, international clients and sensitive information. Susan’s style is detail oriented with a keen focus on practical outcomes for clients. She has a strength in handling matters with niche factual issues that span a wide array of legal subject areas.

Intellectual Property
Susan is well known for her work in all areas of intellectual property law and in cases that involve complex facts and technologies. She is briefed directly by law firms, patent attorneys and trade mark attorneys as well as directly by in-house lawyers. She is continually recognised in publications and awards programs such as Doyles Guide for her work in this space. Susan appreciates the intricacies and commercial realities that clients face and approaches these matters with a pragmatic and collaborative client focus.

Copyright
Susan’s copyright experience has seen her involved in matters arising from business disputes and litigation stemming from customer lists, ownership of creative ideas (often relating to artistic plans or compositions), business collateral and business procedures. These matters disputes frequently flow into or from employment matters and Susan is well equipped to advise and appear in these matters from early dispute to final settlement or trial. She is also experienced in disputes as to the design of industrial products and associated regulatory and compliance issues, medical devices, computer software and confidential information claims.

Patents
Within the patents space, Susan commonly accepts briefs which derive from inventions in the mechanical, mechatronics, chemical and civil engineering spheres. In addition to this she is well versed in the complexities associated with pharmaceutical and product patent disputes, which are well aligned with her scientific expertise and qualifications. Susan invites solicitors to speak with her from the earliest stages of these matters.

Trade Marks
Susan’s expertise in trade mark law sees her appear for both rights holders and alleged infringers, with an appreciation of the key issues and concerns each side may face. Her experience spans a very wide array of trade mark disputes, including retail products, clothing, character merchandising, use of images and likeness and business branding disputes. Susan is also a registered trademark attorney, and regularly appears at Trade Mark Office hearings as well as in Federal Court hearings.