As of 1 July 2022, the patent practice of Cotters Patent and Trademark Attorneys is being integrated into FPA. We are delighted to welcome the following two principals to our Sydney team:
- Kieran Williams – Principal, Biotechnology and Chemistry team; and
- Nicholas Lakatos – Principal, Engineering, ICT and Physics team.
With over 15 years’ experience as a patent attorney, Kieran brings a wealth of knowledge to FPA across a range of technologies including stem cell biology, immunology, pharmaceuticals and organic chemistry. Kieran has substantial expertise in all aspects of patent protection, prosecution and portfolio management. His client portfolio includes several ASX listed biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies across Australia and New Zealand.
Before joining Cotters, Kieran was head of the life sciences group at a large Asia-Pacific IP firm. Prior to qualifying as a patent attorney, Kieran worked as a clinical pharmacology scientist at GSK, and was a patent examiner at the Australian Patent Office. He has held postdoctoral fellowships at St Vincent’s Hospital, the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology and the University of Aberdeen.
Kieran holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Sydney, as well as a Master of Industrial Property (Intellectual Property Law) from the University of Technology, Sydney. He has been recognised as one of Australia’s leading patent attorneys by both IAM Patent 1000 and Managing IP.
Managing Director, John Dower comments: “Kieran will be an invaluable addition to the FPA team and our clients. His impressive depth of expertise, particularly in the fields of molecular biology and immunology, supplements our already strong biotech bench”.
Nick brings to FPA 16 years’ experience building and managing patent portfolios for Australian and multinational companies. Nick’s expertise spans software, ICT, mechatronic and electrical engineering, and he is a seasoned and trusted advisor to a broad range of clients operating in these areas.
Nick began his career as a patent attorney at a large Asia-Pacific IP firm before joining the team at Cotters. He holds undergraduate degrees in Telecommunications Engineering with Honours, and Commerce (majoring in Finance and Econometrics), from the University of Sydney as well as a Master of Industrial Property (Intellectual Property Law) from the University of Technology, Sydney. Nick has recently been included in IAM’s Patent 1000 list. Nick is looking forward to growing his existing portfolio within the FPA team.
John warmly welcomes Nick to the FPA team, noting: “Nick’s ICT and software expertise will allow us to accelerate growth in this area of our practice. He will be a significant asset to our clients in this fast moving and technically demanding space”.
