About Blair

Originally from New Zealand, Founding Principal Blair Beven moved to Australia in pursuit of a challenging legal career. He has worked in some of the top law firms in Australia as well as being a Partner for over 15 years at three prominent commercial law firms. In 2014, he established the first Australian Office of a prominent IP boutique from New Zealand. In three years, he built a team of over 15 IP professionals and support staff, protected some of the world’s most recognisable brands, worked on some high stakes IP litigation matters and worked with hundreds of businesses to secure their IP rights.

Blair is qualified to practice law in both Australia and New Zealand and is recognised as being one of the top IP lawyers in Australasia. His knowledge of global IP systems., strategy, IP law, and processes is unparalleled.

Some of his career highlights include being chosen by the Federal Government and the Office of Prime Minister to act to protect The Nation Brand and logo in 40 countries in 28 classes of goods and services. This involved reviewing thousands of prior trade marks, providing clearance searches in multiple countries under strict deadlines and budget.  This 3 year project was the biggest of his career and he can now can confidently say that he has protected a very valuable and distinguishable trade mark for the whole of Australia. Blair is now the guardian for over 4,000 trade marks worldwide.

Blair has had the privilege of working as an Intellectual Property (IP) lawyer including in high-level litigation and Intellectual Asset Management for global brand portfolios and celebrity client’s including one of the world’s most recognisable super-models.

In 2023, Blair was nominated for the Partner of the Year award by Lawyers Weekly; had the privilege of meeting Barack Obama (twice); was named a St Vincent’s CEO Sleepout Ambassador and established 17 Degrees with the promise to provide clear, cost effective, IP advice. His work as an IP lawyer includes representing high-profile influencers and businesses, as well as emerging companies and enterprising individuals.

Blair’s passion for IP is reflected in his pro-bono endeavours and undergoing legal work to protect Indigenous Cultural Knowledge for First Nations communities. Blair is also a proud member of key legal societies and associations including the International Trade Mark Association (INTA), NSW Law Society, and the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ). Blair regularly publishes articles of interest, is a media spokesperson, and regularly comments on recent case law, and emerging technologies.