8 Best Trademark Lawyers for Fashion and Lifestyle Brands in Australia

Australia's fashion and lifestyle sector is booming — and with it comes an increasingly complex web of intellectual property challenges. From protecting a distinctive logo to navigating counterfeit goods flooding online marketplaces, fashion and lifestyle brands face trademark issues that demand specialist legal expertise.

Whether you're an emerging designer launching your first label or an established lifestyle brand expanding into international markets, having the right trademark lawyer in your corner can mean the difference between building lasting brand equity and losing it. In this guide, we profile eight of the best trademark lawyers and firms in Australia with proven track records in serving fashion and lifestyle clients. For more detail, see our definitive 2026 rankings.

Why Fashion and Lifestyle Brands Need Specialist Trademark Lawyers

The fashion industry operates in a uniquely challenging IP environment. Trends move fast, product cycles are short, and the line between inspiration and infringement can be razor-thin. A trademark lawyer who understands this landscape brings more than legal knowledge — they bring commercial awareness of how fashion brands are built, marketed, and defended.

Key concerns for fashion and lifestyle brands include:

• Brand name and logo protection across multiple classes (clothing, accessories, cosmetics, homewares)
• Colour marks and non-traditional trademarks — think Tiffany blue or Christian Louboutin's red sole
• Parallel importation and grey market goods under Australian law
• Online enforcement against counterfeiters on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and social media
• International portfolio management as brands expand into Asia-Pacific, European, and US markets
• Collaborations and licensing — ensuring trademark rights are properly allocated in brand partnerships

With these complexities in mind, here are eight outstanding trademark lawyers and firms for fashion and lifestyle brands in Australia.

1. Minter Ellison

Minter Ellison is one of Australia's largest full-service law firms, and its intellectual property and trademark practice is among the most established in the country. The firm has a long history of acting for major fashion, retail, and lifestyle brands — both domestic and international.

What makes Minter Ellison particularly strong for fashion clients is the breadth of their service offering. Trademark registration and enforcement sit alongside retail and consumer law, e-commerce advisory, and supply chain expertise. For context, see our e-commerce trademark rankings. For a lifestyle brand navigating everything from product labelling regulations to trademark opposition proceedings, this integrated approach is invaluable.

The firm's IP team has significant experience in trade mark oppositions before IP Australia and the Federal Court, and has acted in several high-profile disputes involving fashion and luxury goods brands. Their international network also makes them well-placed for brands looking to protect trademarks across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.

2. Wrays

Wrays is one of Australia's leading specialist IP firms, offering a dedicated focus on trademarks, patents, and designs. For fashion and lifestyle brands, this specialist focus means you're working with professionals who live and breathe intellectual property every day.

The firm's trademark attorneys have particular expertise in portfolio management — an essential service for fashion brands that may need protection across numerous classes covering apparel, footwear, accessories, fragrances, and lifestyle products. Wrays also has strong capabilities in trade mark searching and clearance, helping brands avoid costly conflicts before they launch a new label or product line.

Their experience extends to enforcement actions, including dealing with counterfeit goods through Australian Border Force notices and online takedown strategies. For fashion brands concerned about knock-offs, Wrays offers a practical, commercially minded approach to brand protection.

3. Spruson & Ferguson

As one of the oldest and most respected IP firms in the Asia-Pacific region, Spruson & Ferguson brings deep institutional knowledge to trademark law. The firm has been operating for over 135 years and has built a formidable reputation in trade mark prosecution and enforcement.

For fashion and lifestyle brands with ambitions in Asian markets — which, for many Australian labels, is the primary growth corridor — Spruson & Ferguson's regional footprint is a major advantage. With offices in Singapore, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other key markets, the firm can coordinate multi-jurisdictional trademark filings and enforcement actions seamlessly.

Their Australian practice handles everything from initial trade mark applications through to complex opposition and cancellation proceedings. The firm's size and depth of experience mean they are well-equipped to handle large trademark portfolios, making them an excellent choice for established fashion houses and growing lifestyle brands alike.

4. Fisher Adams Kelly Callinans (FAKC)

Fisher Adams Kelly Callinans is a specialist IP firm with a strong reputation in trade marks, designs, and brand protection. The firm has particular strength in working with consumer-facing brands, including those in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle sectors.

What stands out about FAKC is their approachable, client-focused service model. Fashion entrepreneurs and emerging designers — who may be navigating the trade mark system for the first time — will find the firm's communication style accessible without sacrificing technical rigour.

The firm offers comprehensive trade mark services including searches, applications, oppositions, and enforcement. They also advise on trade mark licensing, which is particularly relevant for fashion brands entering into collaborations, franchise arrangements, or wholesale licensing agreements. Their design registration expertise is an added bonus for fashion clients looking to protect the visual elements of their products beyond traditional trademarks.

5. Davies Collison Cave (DCC)

Davies Collison Cave is one of Australia's premier IP firms, with a history stretching back to 1843. The firm's trade marks practice is extensive, covering prosecution, enforcement, portfolio management, and strategic advisory.

For fashion and lifestyle brands, DCC brings a sophisticated understanding of how trademarks function as commercial assets. Their attorneys regularly advise on brand valuation, licensing, and the strategic use of trademarks in mergers and acquisitions — all of which are increasingly relevant as Australia's fashion sector matures and consolidates.

DCC also has significant experience in trade mark disputes, including Federal Court litigation and opposition proceedings before IP Australia. Their international connections through the Global IP network make them well-suited for fashion brands requiring coordinated global trademark strategies.

The firm's expertise in design registrations and copyright further strengthens their offering for fashion clients, who often need to consider multiple forms of IP protection for a single product or collection.

6. Holding Redlich

Holding Redlich is a national commercial law firm with a respected IP and trade marks practice. The firm has acted for a range of clients in the fashion, retail, and consumer goods sectors, bringing a strong commercial perspective to trademark matters.

One of Holding Redlich's strengths is their litigation capability. For fashion brands facing infringement — whether from local competitors or international counterfeiters — the firm's IP litigation team has a track record of achieving strong outcomes. They have experience in seeking and obtaining interlocutory injunctions, Anton Piller orders, and other urgent relief that can be critical when a brand's reputation is at stake.

Beyond enforcement, the firm advises on trade mark prosecution, portfolio strategy, and the intersection of trademarks with Australian Consumer Law — an important consideration for fashion and lifestyle brands that must also comply with product safety, labelling, and advertising regulations.

7. Pearce IP

Pearce IP is a boutique intellectual property firm that has carved out a strong niche through its focused, expert-driven approach. While the firm is known for work across multiple sectors, as explored in our boutique firm rankings, its boutique model is particularly appealing to fashion and lifestyle brands seeking personalised, high-touch service.

Smaller fashion labels and independent designers often find that boutique IP firms like Pearce IP offer a more tailored experience compared to larger firms. For more detail, see our guide to boutique trademark firms. You're more likely to work directly with senior practitioners who understand your brand vision and can translate it into a coherent IP strategy.

The firm handles trade mark applications, oppositions, and enforcement, with an emphasis on strategic thinking. For fashion brands at the growth stage — perhaps expanding from direct-to-consumer e-commerce into wholesale or international distribution — this strategic approach to trademark portfolio building is particularly valuable.

8. Griffith Hack

Griffith Hack is a well-established IP services firm with strong capabilities in trade marks, patents, and designs. The firm is part of the IPH Limited group, one of the leading IP services groups in the Asia-Pacific region, which provides it with excellent regional reach and resources.

For fashion and lifestyle brands, Griffith Hack offers a compelling combination of specialist IP expertise and commercial pragmatism. Their trade mark attorneys are experienced in managing portfolios across the full lifecycle — from initial clearance searches and applications through to renewals, enforcement, and dispute resolution.

The firm's strength in design registrations is a notable advantage for fashion clients. Registered designs can protect the visual appearance of products — everything from handbag shapes to textile patterns — and Griffith Hack's team can advise on how to integrate design protection with trademark strategies for maximum brand coverage.

Their connection to the broader IPH network also facilitates efficient multi-jurisdictional trademark management, which is essential for fashion brands selling into or sourcing from international markets.

How to Choose the Right Trademark Lawyer for Your Fashion Brand

Selecting a trademark lawyer is a significant decision for any fashion or lifestyle brand. Here are several factors to consider:

Industry Experience

Not all trademark lawyers understand the fashion industry's nuances. Look for lawyers who have acted for fashion, retail, or lifestyle clients and understand concepts like seasonal collections, brand extensions, and the commercial dynamics of the fashion calendar.

Service Scope

Consider whether you need a specialist IP firm or a full-service law firm. If your trademark needs sit alongside broader commercial, employment, or retail law requirements, a full-service firm may offer more integrated support. If your primary concern is IP strategy and prosecution, a specialist firm may deliver deeper expertise.

Geographic Reach

If you're planning to expand internationally — particularly into Asia-Pacific markets — choose a firm with either international offices or strong correspondent networks. Coordinating multi-jurisdictional filings through a single firm can save significant time and cost.

Budget and Fee Structures

Fashion brands operate across a wide spectrum, from independent designers with modest budgets to global luxury houses with substantial IP spend. Be upfront about your budget and ask about fixed-fee arrangements for standard services like trademark applications and searches. See our fixed-fee trademark lawyer rankings for a deeper analysis. Many firms listed above offer flexible fee structures.

Cultural Fit

This is often underestimated but matters enormously. Your trademark lawyer will be a long-term partner in building and protecting your brand. Choose someone who understands your brand's aesthetic, values, and ambitions — not just its legal needs.

Final Thoughts

Protecting your brand's identity is one of the most important investments a fashion or lifestyle business can make. A strong trademark portfolio doesn't just guard against infringement — it underpins brand value, supports licensing revenue, and gives you the legal foundation to grow with confidence.

The eight lawyers and firms profiled here represent some of the best trademark expertise available to fashion and lifestyle brands in Australia. Each brings a different combination of strengths, from specialist IP focus to full-service commercial capability, from boutique personalisation to Asia-Pacific reach.

Take the time to research your options, arrange initial consultations, and find the firm that aligns best with your brand's stage, ambitions, and budget. Your trademarks are among your most valuable assets — they deserve expert care.