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Image of all Pearce IP staff on colourful background

We value diversity, inclusivity and equity in all dimensions

Pearce IP is committed to fostering a positive, respectful, diverse and inclusive work environment where employee differences are respected and valued and for all to have equal access to opportunities. We support and embrace each other’s differences and the daily actions of all staff should promote a fair, equitable and supportive work setting.

As the only Australian and New Zealand Life Sciences focussed IP firm with a female founder and with more than 80% of the team women, Pearce IP is committed to celebrating and embracing a diverse workforce which includes 23% of the team from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds,17% of senior management with disability and 15% of the team under flexible workplace arrangements (a part of our work from anywhere model).

Creating an environment of trust, respect and inclusion leads to benefits such as greater innovation, better understanding of our clients and their needs, along with attracting and retaining a wide range of talented staff.

As a company we are dedicated to a culture that reflects and represents the community in which we work. Our executive team plays an important role as champions, providing leadership that creates a positive and inclusive workplace.

Pearce IP’s inclusive workplace understands and respects differences such as age, caring responsibilities, cultural background, disability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender expression and intersex status.

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Women in Leadership

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Staff with Disability

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Female Staff

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CALD Staff

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Carers for a family member

Pearce IP has a female founder & more than 70% of its leaders are women

Pearce IP is a place where it is “normal” to see women in leadership and where pay equity is a ‘given’. As Australia and New Zealand’s only female founded Life Sciences IP firm recognised by Managing IP, we are proud to have a majority leadership of capable, respected women, which is rarely seen in law firms in Australia.

Pearce IP’s founder Naomi Pearce is the 2022 Asia Pacific Patent Lawyer of the Year at the Women in Business Law Awards, is the only Australian practitioner recognised by WIPR as a Diversity Champion in IP for 2022, and the only Australian practitioner honoured by WIPR Diversity in 2021 in the world’s top 100 Influential Women in IP.  Naomi was honoured to be the recipient of the peer reviewed Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Partner of the Year (SME Law) in 2021.

Pearce IP was also one of 5 firms shortlisted for the jurisdiction award for Australia at the 2022  Women in Business Law Awards, an award which celebrates “law firms that have developed strong innovative practices and projects that highlight gender diversity”.

February 2023 Women in the Workplace stats:

  • Pearce IP has a female founder.

  • More than 70% of the Pearce IP leaders are women.

  • More than 80% of the Pearce IP team are women.

Parental Leave

Miscarriage + Loss Leave

Paternity Leave

Fertility Leave

Sorry Business Leave

Menopause + Menstrual Leave

Adoption & Surrogacy Leave

 

Our policies support and celebrate diversity

At Pearce IP, we embrace policy that celebrates diversity in a myriad of ways.

With policies that provide paid maternity leave for families who have had a miscarriage or lost a baby, parental leave for staff who have a baby via surrogacy, fertility leave, and menstrual and menopause leave for women, we demonstrate that Pearce IP’s priorities include the things that matter to our talent, ensuring the health, wellbeing and success of Pearce IP staff and their families.

Introducing Sorry Business Leave was an important step in acknowledging the diverse needs and requirements of all employees. Sorry Business Leave provides Pearce IP with the opportunity to better support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff during a time that brings significant grief and emotional challenges.

Committed to leading change in pay equity

At Pearce IP, our commitment to pay equity isn’t just a policy — it’s a fundamental aspect of who we are.  In an industry where disparities often prevail, we stand out by ensuring that pay parity is a given for all our team members.

Our dedication to gender equality extends beyond equitable compensation. Women hold 70% or more of key leadership positions within our firm, exemplifying our belief in the value of diverse perspectives at every level of decision-making.

By actively promoting pay equity and supporting women in leadership, Pearce IP is not just participating in the conversation — we’re leading the change in the legal industry towards a more equitable future.

At Pearce IP, pay parity is a given.

Naomi Pearce

CEO & Founder

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Work from Anywhere

Our “work from anywhere” model fosters diversity

A key factor in achieving diversity in our firm is our ‘work from anywhere’ model, allowing our team to efficiently meet client responsibilities as well as personal responsibilities, working both flexibly when required and in a way that works for them. Not only does this allow us to “hand pick” the best of the best without geographical limitation and opening up diverse geographical talent pools, it also removes barriers which might otherwise constrain a diverse work force.

Working from home encourages our people to bring their whole selves to work, promoting inclusivity, understanding and appreciation of the value that diversity brings to our work and individual interactions. In some states, staff are also provided with the opportunity to work from a dedicated office if they wish to, allowing for face-to-face engagement on a regular basis.

Pearce IP works with team members who also have a disability to ensure their workplace is accessible and the equipment they use is adapted to their needs as appropriate.

Irrespective of our backgrounds, experience or disability, all team members have equal access to:

Learning and development opportunities

Our leaders, everyday

Career development & career pathway discussions

Pay parity

Weekly, monthly & annual performance data

Challenging and interesting work

Our Leaders

Latest Diversity News

Our Diversity Awards

Managing IP

Recognised as the only leading female owned Life Sciences focussed IP Firm (2023)

Women in Law Awards (Lawyers Weekly)

Winner – Partner of the Year (SME Law): Naomi Pearce (2021)
Shortlisted – Boutique Diversity Firm of the Year (2022)

Partner of the Year Awards (Lawyers Weekly)

Finalist – Intellectual Property: Naomi Pearce (2022)

World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR) WIPR Diversity

WIPR Diversity Champion in IP: Naomi Pearce (2022)
Top 100 Influential Women in IP: Naomi Pearce (2021)

Women in Business Law Awards – APAC

Winner – Patent Lawyer of the Year:  Naomi Pearce (2022)
Shortlisted – Australian Firm of the Year (2022)
Shortlisted – Life Science Lawyer of the Year – Naomi Pearce (2022)