Samuel Gonski
Sam is a Senior Associate in our Corporate team, focusing on intellectual property in commercial transactions.
Sam works with clients across a range of industry sectors, advising on complex commercial transactions where the protection, commercialisation and strategic positioning of brands and other intellectual property assets are central to the deal.
Sam prides himself on being a collaborative, innovative and commercially-minded lawyer. He is trusted by clients to help navigate challenging legal issues while delivering outcomes that align with broader business and strategic goals.
Sam’s approach is informed by extensive in‑house experience gained through secondments including with CSL and Qantas, giving him a first-hand understanding of client needs and priorities.
Day to day, Sam advises clients on:
- IP restructures, IP licensing arrangements and brand splits;
- IP acquisitions and divestments, including managing IP due diligence and separation of IP assets in preparation for divestment;
- sponsorship / partnership agreements, brand ambassador arrangements and the licensing of talent image rights;
- IP issues in relation to the use and training of artificial intelligence;
- supply and distribution agreements;
- franchising agreements and compliance with associated regulatory regimes;
- public art strategy and commissioning; and
- research collaborations, funding and clinical trial arrangements.
Experience & capabilities
Selected matters
- Suncorp Group on the IP and branding aspects of its $4.9 billion sale of the Suncorp Bank to ANZ
- Qantas on its major sporting partnerships, brand ambassador arrangements with high profile talent, tourism co-operative marketing agreements and IP licensing agreements
- Chemist Warehouse on the IP and franchising aspects of its proposed landmark merger with Sigma Healthcare Limited
- Various property developers on public art commissioning arrangements for new developments
- Seqirus in relation to its $1 billion agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Health) for the long-term supply of pandemic influenza vaccine, antivenoms and Q Fever vaccine
- Boral on the $1.3 billion sale of its 50% interest in the USG Boral joint venture to Knauf
Background
Sam graduated in 2016 from the University of Technology, Sydney with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Media, Arts and Production).
