Pearce IP – The only leading ANZ IP firm with a Female Founder, now certified as Women Owned

Managing IP (MIP) has honoured Pearce IP as the only known ANZ IP firm founded by a woman. Separately, WEConnect International has certified Pearce IP as Women Owned.

CEO and Executive Lawyer, Patent Attorney and Trade Mark Attorney Naomi Pearce, founded Pearce IP in 2017 and, under her leadership, Pearce IP has grown over 6 years to an award winning, life sciences focussed IP boutique firm, listed in virtually every notable directory.

Pearce IP continues to be focused on removing barriers to employment, learning opportunities, promotion and pay equity in the workplace. The Pearce IP workforce is diverse, with:

• A female founder and CEO;
• A female Deputy CEO;
• More than 70% of the leadership team are women;
• Majority women owned;
• 12% of the Pearce IP team are from CALD backgrounds;
• 20% of the Pearce IP senior management group has a permanent disability.

Naomi Pearce, Pearce IP’s Founder says:

“In founding Pearce IP, I never set out to be the first female founder of an IP firm in Australia, or to redress the challenge of underrepresentation of women in the leadership of law firms. For me it was always about providing excellence, and filling a gap in the market by unapologetically focussing on life sciences IP. 

With the help of incredible talent, I have built a boutique firm with highly skilled, driven leaders and team, committed to ensuring that Pearce IP is the premier life sciences IP/legal practice in Australia and New Zealand. In the course of doing so, it is also a real pleasure to also “break the mould” on the lack lustre statistics of women in leadership at law firms in the region.”

Adele Chadwick, Pearce IP’s Executive, Deputy CEO and Head of Talent says:

“Naomi was unapologetic and uncompromising about securing the best talent whilst embracing, supporting, and celebrating diversity – and she has the winning formula. Naomi has built an award winning, women owned, leading IP firm in an industry that limps toward parity.  And it is my delight to work with her to fulfil Pearce IP’s 2027 Vision.

Pearce IP’s Mission and Vision set the strategic agenda for the firm.  Our BRITE values (Brand Ambassadors, Respect, Integrity, Talent and Excellence), underpin everything we do, and serve as a tangible reminder of expectations of our conduct –  toward each other, our clients and our competitors.

We at Pearce IP are so proud of Naomi, her outstanding achievements, and the amazing firm we all have the privilege of working at. She is truly inspirational.”

About Pearce IP

​Pearce IP is a boutique firm offering intellectual property specialist lawyers, patent attorneys and trade mark attorneys to the life sciences industries (in particular, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biotech, ag-tech and food tech).  Pearce IP is recognised by MIP has the only leading regional IP firm with a female founder, and is certified by WEConnect International as women owned.  Pearce IP is the 2021 ‘Intellectual Property Team of the Year’ (Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards) and was shortlisted for the same award in 2022. Pearce IP is ranked in IAM Patent 1000 and Managing IP (MIP) IP Stars, in Australasian Lawyer 5 Star Awards as a ‘5 Star’ firm, and the Legal 500 APAC Guide for Intellectual Property.

Our leaders have been recognised in virtually every notable IP listing for their legal, patent and trade mark excellence including: IAM Patent 1000, MIP IP Stars, Doyles Guide, WIPR Leaders, 5 Star IP Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and Australasian Lawyer 5 Star Awards, and have been honoured with many awards including Australian Law Awards – IP Partner of the Year, Women in Law Awards – Partner of the Year, Women in Business Law Awards – Patent Lawyer of the Year (Asia Pacific), Most Influential Lawyers (Changemaker), among other awards.