Nicola Maxwell

Nicola, a Trans-Tasman Patent Attorney with approximately 15 years of experience, plays a pivotal role in Queensland's legal landscape, having moved in 2013 to lead the Brisbane office of a top-tier Australian law firm. Her impressive academic background includes a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemistry with Law from the University of Essex and a Masters in the Management of IP Law with Distinction from London’s Queen Mary and Westfield College. She further distinguished herself with a PhD in Applied Science from the University of South Australia, garnering accolades for her innovative research on photo-responsive surface coatings. Nicola's professional journey has seen her excel in preparing and prosecuting patent applications, particularly in the areas of mechanical and chemical engineering, building materials, mining services, and agricultural technologies. Her analytical skills were further honed during her time at Thomson Reuters, where she utilised patent documents as a big data source. Beyond her technical prowess, Nicola is committed to nurturing future talent in the legal field, having been an invited lecturer for the IPTA Academy’s Drafting course. Her contribution to academia continues as an Honorary Associate at UTS, where she focuses on patent citation analysis. Nicola is also broadening her expertise with a Graduate Diploma and an Honours degree in Psychological Sciences at CQU. An avid climber, she brings the same determination and focus from her career into her personal passions, recently completing an outdoor lead climbing course. Her diverse interests and expertise make Nicola a respected and dynamic figure in the intellectual property law arena.