Presenters

Sonia Stewart, Barrister, 5 Wentworth Chambers
Sonia specialises in intellectual property law, with a strong focus on trade marks, branding and advertising. This includes obtaining injunctive relief to restrain competitor brand launches and advertising campaigns, over a career spanning more than two decades. Admitted in 2001 and called to the Bar in 2016, Sonia was formerly a Senior Associate in the Intellectual Property & Dispute Resolution Group at Mallesons (currently KWM). Sonia has also held senior in-house and executive roles for major brand owners of fast-moving consumer goods and in highly regulated industries. Sonia’s corporate experience enables her to advise clients in a concise and commercially relevant manner. Sonia is commended by clients and solicitors for her collaborative approach to working and the tenacity and clarity of her advocacy. She appears regularly, both led and unled, in litigation at trial and appellate level, representing a variety of clients, including in challenging areas such as tobacco, alcohol, gambling, food & beverages and pharmaceuticals. Sonia’s portfolio of clients includes global brands such as The a2 Milk Company, Pastificio Rana S.p.A (RANA pasta), PDP Fine Foods (WICKED SISTER Desserts), Cantarella Bros (ORO coffee), NPPA (PayID), Myriad Women’s Health (FORESIGHT Carrier Screening), NOVA Entertainment, Procter & Gamble, Juno Pharmaceuticals, ProductReview.com.au, Nestlé and Imperial Tobacco. Sonia appears primarily in the Federal Court of Australia and before IP Australia. Sonia has been recognised in the Doyles Guide for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 as recommended Junior Counsel Intellectual Property (New South Wales) and as a Leading Junior TMT and IP, Legal 500 for 2026. Sonia also regularly presents at and chairs seminars on brands and trade marks.


Vineetha Veerakumar, Principal, Head of Trade Marks, Wrays
Vineetha Veerakumar is a leading trade marks and brand protection lawyer with more than 15 years of experience advising clients on the protection, enforcement and commercialisation of brands across Australia, New Zealand and international markets. As Principal and Head of Trade Marks at Wrays, she works with Australian and global businesses to develop and implement strategic trade mark and brand protection programs that support long-term commercial growth. Vineetha’s practice encompasses all aspects of trade mark portfolio management, including brand clearance, registrations, oppositions, non-use actions, enforcement, product launches and advertising and marketing compliance. She advises some of the world’s leading brand owners across the technology, e-commerce, consumer goods, retail, entertainment, agrifoods, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Bringing a unique blend of private practice and in-house experience, Vineetha previously served as IP Counsel for one of the world’s largest technology and e-commerce companies in the United States, providing her with a strong commercial understanding of the challenges faced by modern brand owners. Admitted to practise in New Zealand and Australia, Vineetha is an active contributor to the intellectual property profession through her involvement with IPSANZ and the International Trademark Association.