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.

Christine Ecob, Partner, Johnson Winter Slattery
Christine is a specialist in the life sciences technology area who advises clients on complex transactions and regulatory requirements including TGA and privacy issues. She advises on a variety of complex transactional matters often including technology and regulatory issues. Christine has extensive experience assisting developers and suppliers of health products and services including medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and providers of health services. Christine works with clients on research and development agreements, agreements with clinical research organisations, advising on packaging, labelling, mandatory standards, brand protection, advising on advertising of products and the drafting of manufacturing, licensing, distribution and service agreements. Her technology experience includes technology licensing and service agreements for major IT vendors and clients acquiring technology products and services (including Software as a Medical Device).

Suvina Wong, Senior Associate, Johnson Winter Slattery
Suvina Wong is an Intellectual Property Senior Associate at Johnson Winter Slattery, with prior experience practicing in the UK at a leading specialist IP firm. She holds a Master of Laws in IP and Information Law from King’s College London. Her practice spans transactional IP work, trade mark prosecution and enforcement, copyright advice and dispute resolution, and the development of robust IP strategies across diverse industries, including fashion, cosmetics, and FMCG. Suvina regularly drafts and advises on IP aspects of licensing, collaboration, brand protection, and IP transfer agreements, as well as supporting IP-rich corporate transactions. She has particular expertise in advising FMCG and cosmetics clients on trade mark portfolio management, brand enforcement, and the protection of creative assets, working with clients ranging from emerging brands to established global houses.