Sarah Gilkes

Partner, Head of IP & Technology

Sarah leads Hamilton Locke’s Intellectual Property and Technology group, advising clients on commercial transactions and disputes involving technology and IP assets. A natural collaborator, with a strategic, solutions-focused approach, she helps businesses develop robust IP protection strategies, commercialisation models, and technology procurement and governance frameworks. Sarah builds deep trust with her clients, ensuring that her legal advice is informed by a comprehensive understanding of her clients’ strategic and operational objectives.

Sarah works with companies where innovation is critical, including in the technology, new energy, health, resources, automotive and FMCG sectors, and has extensive experience in particular guiding clients through digital transformation and energy transition projects. Her clients range from entrepreneurial growth companies to established multinational businesses and leading research institutes. She frequently advises global technology businesses on entering and investing in the Australian market, and on cross-border arrangements between group companies.

An expert on brand strategy, Sarah also advises on the establishment and management of trade mark portfolios, and has led national and multi-jurisdictional disputes to enforce and defend intellectual property rights.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Technology and Innovation; Intellectual Property; Technology Transactions; Artificial Intelligence (AI); Corporate and Commercial Law; Intellectual Property Disputes; Technology Disputes

QUALIFICATIONS

MBA (Finance), with Excellence – Australian Graduate School of Management
M (Intellectual Property) – University of New South Wales
B and B.A. (Hons. Class 1) – University of New South Wales
Admitted to practice in New South Wales, Victoria and High Court of Australia

AWARDS

Finalist, Women in Law Awards 2024 – Partner of the Year (Big Law)

SELECTED REPRESENTATIONS

Acted for ASX-listed environmental technology company Calix Ltd (ASX:CXL) on global licensing arrangements for the deployment of Calix’s patented decarbonisation technology across the cement, lime and lithium sectors.
Acted for the founders of Australian electric vehicle charging company EVSE Australia on its partial divestment to Pacific Equity Partners and partnership with smart meter company Intellihub.
Acted for medical technology company EMVision Medical Devices Ltd (ASX:EMV) on the technology aspects of its $15M strategic placement with Keysight Technologies.
Acted for a national telecommunications provider on the selection and launch of its new core brand.
Acted for Alquemie Group Holdings Pty Ltd on its licensing agreement with Disney for the rights to the National Geographic lifestyle brand and concept in Australia and New Zealand.
Acted for one of Australia’s largest national independent retailer groups on the negotiation of a new network agreement for the ownership and use of core brand and data assets.
Acted for a national health institution on the negotiation of various agreements relating to research, clinical trials, and commercialisation of research outcomes.
Acted for one of Australia’s most well-known performing artists in a multi-jurisdictional trade mark dispute with a prominent US television personality.
Acting for the Australian supplier of an AI-based automatic hazard detection system in connection with the roll-out of that technology across metropolitan rail networks in the USA.
Acting for a national telecommunications carrier to resolve a dispute with a multinational technology company relating to the construction and operation of a custom dark fibre network.