Michael Williams

Partner
Sydney

Biography

Michael is the head of our Technology and Intellectual Property group.

He is a market leader in IP law and litigation, with three decades of trial and appellate experience. He is the lawyer that local and international companies turn to when they need advice to navigate complex IP issues.

Michael is well known for his strategic advice, subject matter knowledge and robust approach to intellectual property disputes. His practice covers: false advertising, trade marks, copyright, anti-counterfeiting, data protection and cyber security, trade secrets, patents and technology disputes. He has an excellent record for settling disputes, achieving creative outcomes and extracting clients from intractable conflicts.

Michael is widely published on IP law and a regular commentator in the media. He holds degrees in Economics (Political Science) and Law (First Class Hons) from the University of Sydney. 

His membership includes INTA, the ABA, Copyright Society of Australia and IPSANZ.

Experience

Michael’s experience includes advising:

  • CPC Patent Technologies in its high-profile patent infringement action against Apple on alleged infringement of biometric patents via the sale of iPhones and iPads in Australia.

  • Self Care in its successful High Court appeal against the maker of Botox (Allergan), leading to the restatement of key principles of trade mark law on deceptive similarity.

  • Calidad in its successful High Court appeal against Seiko Epson Corporation, leading to the overturning of 100+ years of precedent and the Court adopting the doctrine of patent exhaustion.

  • Acting in High Court appeals in Roadshow Films (liability of online intermediaries for copyright infringement) and IceTV (test for infringement of original copyright works).

  • Acting in major cases involving allegations of data scraping, counterfeiting and trade mark infringement between trade rivals.

Awards and Recognition

  • Lawyers Weekly Partners of the Year Awards 2019 and 2021

    Intellectual Property Partner of the Year

  • The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, Chambers and Partners Global and Asia-Pacific 2024

    Top ranked for Intellectual Property and Trade Mark & Copyright, and Highly Recommended for Data Protection

  • Best Lawyers 2025

    Ranked for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Litigation

Testimonials

Client first thinking

Michael is a market-leading IP practitioner with a wealth of experience in advising clients on a diverse range of contentious matters, and with particular expertise in high-profile copyright disputes.

Chambers Asia-Pacific

The practice is headed up by the Sydney-based Michael Williams, who boasts ‘strong capabilities across the board‘ when it comes to trade mark, copyright, and patent matters.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

The Intellectual Property practice at Gilbert + Tobin is exceptional.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific