Mollie Tregillis (BA(Media&Comm) 2008/ DipML(Chin) 2008/ JD 2011)

28 August 2015

  • Legal Project Manager
    Herbert Smith Freehills 

    Former Intellectual Property Associate
    Norton Rose Fulbright

From what was a fleeting introduction to intellectual property as an undergraduate, Mollie Tregillis has established herself as a young leader with considerable achievements in the field, as her nomination as a finalist in Lawyers Weekly's 30 under 30 illustrated.

Ms Tregillis' interest in IP began as Media and Communications undergraduate at the University of Melbourne.

"I took a subject called Media Law during that degree, which briefly touched on some areas of IP law and this piqued my interest," she says

It was then through her personal love of art that Ms Tregillis realised the wider application of IP in practice.

"I have always had a passion for art (both making it and looking at it) and initially became interested in IP law when I realised that copyright, for example, protected artistic works. I found the discussion around what is considered to be an 'artistic work' for the purposes of copyright protection fascinating," says Ms Tregillis.

After graduating in 2011, Ms Tregillis secured a graduate position at Norton Rose Fulbright where she was drawn again, tellingly, to IP law.

"Once I entered the graduate program at Norton Rose Fulbright and rotated through various practice groups, IP law once again clicked as an area I wanted to work in. I did some very interesting work with a great group of people in the IP practice during this time and was fortunate enough to be able to return to settle in that group once the graduate program was finished," she says.

Following her traineeship, Ms Tregillis was made an Intellectual Property Associate at Norton Rose Fulbright. It seems her path has led her to the right place, and with its links to innovation and development, IP is a dynamic field in which she hopes to continue.

In addition to her love of the practice, Ms Tregillis cites a rewarding work environment as another motivating factor in her work.

"I really enjoy working with a close knit group of colleagues who are passionate about the practice and who bring a wide range of skills and perspectives to the work we do. I hope to continue to work in such a stimulating environment," she says.

So far, the career highlights cited by the young lawyer have been international in scope.

"I have recently been involved in providing strategic advice to a major client in relation to the protection of its existing trademark rights in China, and the protection of its manufacturing base in China across its wider product range has been fascinating."

"Also, I was seconded to work in the Disputes team in the Norton Rose Fulbright Dubai office in 2012–2013 where I worked on a broad range of disputes including a number of significant international arbitrations. This was a fantastic experience and one that I feel very fortunate to have had," she reflects.

Working across a range of areas of IP law, Ms Tregillis' work has recently spanned patient litigation, trade mark and brand protection matters, counterfeit issues and intellectual property due diligence.

Ms Tregillis has been distinguished in her nomination as a finalist for the 30 under 30, an awards program that identifies the best young lawyers across Australia.

"It is a considerable honour to be nominated for Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30. I am grateful to Norton Rose Fulbright and particularly my mentors within the firm for helping me get to this point."