We value all diversity 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 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 20% of senior management with disability and 12% of the team from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
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.
Pearce IP has Australia’s only female founder and more than 80% of its leaders across the firm 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’s only female founded IP firm, we are proud to have a majority leadership of capable, respected women, which is rarely seen in law firms in Australia:
As of 1 March 2023, our staffing demographics relating to women in the workplace were as follows:
- Pearce IP has a female founder.
- More than 80% of the Pearce IP leaders are women.
- More than 80% of the Pearce IP team are women.
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”.
Naomi Pearce
CEO, Executive Lawyer, Patent Attorney & Trade Mark Attorney
Adele Chadwick
Executive, Deputy CEO & Head of Talent
Chris Vindurampulle PhD
Executive, Patent and Trade Mark Attorney
Julie Ballance
Special Counsel, Patent Attorney, Lawyer & Notary
Jacinta Flattery O’Brien PhD
Special Counsel, Patent Attorney
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, IVF 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.
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.
Committed to leading change
Determined to bring about change more broadly, our team members are active in the IP and legal community, including participating as sitting members on the Law Institute of Victoria, and AIPPI, and participating in mentoring programs.
Pearce recognised by WIPR as a Diversity Champion in IP for 2022
We are thrilled to announce that Pearce IP’s founder Naomi Pearce, Executive Lawyer, Patent Attorney and Trade Mark Attorney has been recognised by WIPR as a Diversity Champion in IP for 2022. Thirty IP leaders from...
Pearce IP shortlisted for the award of Boutique Diversity Firm of the Year at the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards 2022
We are excited to announce that Pearce IP is a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards in the category of 2022 Boutique Diversity firm of the Year. The Women in Law Awards are considered the gold standard...
Jayne Jagot appointed to Australia’s High Court bench – a new era for diversity and for patent law
The Australian High Court will have an experienced intellectual property judge on its bench, with the appointment of Justice Jayne Jagot to the bench announced on Thursday 29 September. Justice Jagot will take her...
Naomi Pearce is 2022 Patent Lawyer of the Year (Asia Pacific) at the Women in Business Law Awards
Pearce IP is very proud to announce that its CEO and Executive Lawyer, Patent Attorney and Trade Mark Attorney Naomi Pearce has been honoured as the 2022 Patent Lawyer of the Year (Asia Pacific) at the Women in...
Pearce IP and its CEO feature in shortlist for Women in Business Law Awards APAC 2022
We are proud to announce that Pearce IP and its CEO have been shortlisted for three awards at the APAC 2022 Women in Business Law Awards, with the winners to be announced on 15 September. Pearce IP is one of 5 firms...
Pearce IP honours its high achieving women on International Women’s Day
As a female led boutique firm, Pearce IP celebrates the successes of its high achieving women on International Women’s Day. Each of Pearce IP’s CEO, and heads of litigation and prosecution are women who are...
Naomi Pearce is Lawyers Weekly WIL Partner of the Year 2021
Pearce IP is proud to announce that Founding Principal and Executive Lawyer, Patent & Trade Mark Attorney, Naomi Pearce, was awarded the title of 2021 Partner of the Year (SME law) at the Lawyers Weekly Women in...
Our Diversity Awards
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)