All three so far have answered around the theme of technology.
The subject of our latest profile, Rohan Wallace from Perth, Australia, responded with both a prediction – and a warning.
“IP Attorneys will need to embrace new technology, including machine learning tools. Whether it’s the buzzword of the moment, ‘ChatGTP’, or another form of natural language processing tool, I believe there is going to be a place for their use in our practices.
However, right now, Rohan advises proceeding with caution:
“One of the challenges is to educate the public that these tools cannot replace a good IP Attorney, as might falsely appear to be the case at first glance.
“I’ve seen these tools draft a patent claim. But after only a cursory, educated view, I could not file the claim without significant revision.
“These tools will no doubt get better. The revision, at least review and settling, will still be required by the IP Attorney.”
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Rohan is currently a principal at the firm of Golja Haines & Friend in South Perth, Western Australia.
The experienced and highly regarded firm is the product of several mergers, including the firm that Rohan founded in 2011, Rohan Wallace Patent & Trademark Services, which was acquired by IP Sentinels in 2015, which then merged into Golja Haines & Friend in 2018.
Having achieved a degree in computer systems engineering, Rohan left university for his first job at Lord & Company in 1996, later joining Griffith Hack in 1998.
He was awarded a Diploma of IP Practice in 2000 and was registered as a Patent and Trade Marks Attorney in 2001.
Rohan’s particular areas of expertise are patents in computing and general engineering and Trade Marks.
ADDING VALUE TO CLIENTS
Rohan takes great satisfaction and inspiration from being exposed to the new inventions of clients, especially when it involves cutting edge technology and the challenges of protecting the IP rights of inventors, start-ups and business owners.
Rohan explains:
“I’ve run my own small firm for about a decade and had to acquire the skills to run a business. That commercial knowledge allows me to understand many issues facing clients that a patent attorney that has only ever been an employee would not have first-hand experience in.”
In a recent case, a client’s patent was infringed, and legal action followed.
Rohan recalls:
“As an Australian patent attorney, I supported the lawyers running the case as patent attorneys do not run litigation here. My technical knowledge and understanding of patent law was critical in advising on the strategy of claim construction, validity, and infringement issues.
“In this case, the infringement case was not straightforward but there was a good enough argument of infringement that the matter settled before going to trial. This enabled the damage being caused to our client’s business to be contained and was commercially satisfactory to the client.”
And, of course, as Rohan observes, good work begets more work:
“The client keeps giving me new work, which is the best measure of client satisfaction.”
SHARING BEST PRACTICES
One of the great values of FICPI membership is the opportunity to learn from the innovations and best practices of fellow members from the FICPI global community.
Rohan offers his fellow FICPI members an insight into alternative pricing options used by his firm:
“We’ve adopted more of an upfront known price for work than the traditional hourly rates. Particularly complex tasks are still time based but are within pre-set estimates so that there is price certainty.
“We don’t claim to have invented this, but we do espouse the benefits to clients and associates.”
VALUE OF FICPI MEMBERSHIP
Rohan joined the FICPI global community in December 2012.
He currently sits on the CET3 International Matters work group and holds two important roles in the Australia country section – Secretary of FICPI Australia since 2019 and has been the ExCo Alternate Delegate since 2022.
Rohan points to relationships as one of the most enjoyable aspects of membership of the FICPI global community:
“The relationships with other FICPI members are invaluable.
“The learning and sharing of professional and social experiences strengthen us personally and our relationships. I have many more friends and great experiences thanks to FICPI, as well as a professional network of colleagues to reach out to when needed.”
Rohan adds that be believes the promotion of ethics is also a crucial role for FICPI:
“I’m a strong believer in ethics, fairness, and professionalism.
“FICPI has a clear role in promoting this within the IP Attorney profession by maintaining high standards and contributing to educating the IP profession and also in advocating to IP offices and governments on appropriate IP laws, policies and practices that are ethical, fair and professional.”
FINAL WORD - OUTSIDE OF WORK
Raising three young daughters is a rewarding but exhausting parenting experience, so Rohan’s top priority outside of work is no surprise:
“I spend time with my three girls: Emily, Caitlin and Olivia – mostly as a taxi service for the younger two. (Ha ha).”
And, given his interest in technology, neither is the way he relaxes outside of family time:
“Recently, I have been getting into table-top WW2 battle simulations. I’m fairly new to this and not that good, yet. I also enjoy real time strategy PC computer games.”
