Helen Macpherson
Executive, Lawyer
BSc(hons), LLB(hons), GDLP
Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours and University Medal)
Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours)
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
Solicitor (NSW Supreme Court & High Court of Australia)
Helen has over 25 years’ experience as an intellectual property specialist and is recognised as an industry leader. Helen advises on all forms of intellectual property including patents, plant breeder’s rights, trade marks, copyright and confidential information.
Throughout her career, Helen has maintained a strong focus on high-value patent mandates involving complex technologies. In these mandates, Helen has been able to draw upon her technical training in biochemistry and molecular biology, as well as her ability to up-skill swiftly in relation to diverse technologies. Helen’s patent work has encompassed the technical fields of inorganic, organic, physical and process chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology (including genetics, molecular biology and virology) and physics.
Helen also has extensive experience advising clients on consumer law issues and disputes, specifically in the context of misleading and deceptive conduct disputes between competitors and with regulators and industry bodies regarding promotional campaigns.
Helen’s patent clients operate in a range of industries, including the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, life sciences, agricultural, manufacturing and tech sectors. Helen regularly advises on the preparation and execution of patent infringement, revocation and amendment strategies, including in the context of multijurisdictional patent disputes, as well as on the impact of relevant regulatory frameworks on these strategies and on freedom to operate and patentability issues.
Helen’s clients praise her for her exceptional intelligence and calm demeanour. She is recognised for her strategic and collaborative consultative approach and her ability to foster teamwork in decision-making.
Helen is a member of the Intellectual Property Committee of the Law Council of Australia, as well as a member of the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand.
My Awards
Chambers and Partners
Patents: Helen Macpherson (2024)
Intellectual Property: Pearce IP (2024)
Australian Law Awards (Lawyers Weekly)
Finalist – Boutique Diversity Firm of the Year: Pearce IP (2022)
Finalist – Intellectual Property Team of the Year: Pearce IP (2022)
Winner – Intellectual Property Team of the Year: Pearce IP (2021)
IAM Patent 1000
Silver ranking (litigation): Helen Macpherson (2022, 2023)
Recommended for prosecution (2023)
Firm: Pearce IP ranked bronze for litigation and prosecution (2023, 2022)
Firm: Pearce IP ranked bronze for litigation and recommended for prosecution (2021)
Managing IP Stars
Patent Star: Helen Macpherson (2023)
Firm: Pearce IP ranked – Tier 3 prosecution (2022)
Women in Business Law Awards – APAC
Shortlisted: Australian Firm of the Year (2022)
Australasian Lawyer 5-Star Awards
5-Star Intellectual Property Law Firm: Pearce IP (2021)
Lexology Legal Influencer
Healthcare and Life Sciences (Australasia): Pearce IP (Q2 2022, Q1 2021, Q4 2020)
Healthcare and Life Sciences (Cross-border): Pearce IP (2021)
Legal 500
Ranked as a market leading Intellectual Property firm (2023)
Best Lawyers, Australia
Intellectual Property: Helen Macpherson (2016-2023)
Euromoney Asia Women in Business Law Awards
Patent Lawyer of the Year: Helen Macpherson (2021)
OUR VISION
By 2027, be the premier life sciences IP practice in
Australia and New Zealand.