Esther heads the Intellectual Property Practice Group at Harry Elias Partnership LLP. She handles all aspects of IP matters concerning trademarks, patents, copyright, industrial designs, trade secrets and confidential information. Her clients include multinational corporations, publicly listed companies and SMEs from a diverse range of industries including IT, communications, electrical and electronics, biotechnology, green technology, pharmaceutical, food and beverage and retail.
Esther’s expertise lies in devising and managing comprehensive IP filing and protection strategies: From advising pre-emptive measures in registering and securing IP rights, to initiating criminal and civil action against IP infringers through enforcement actions and/or litigation.
Notably, apart from protection and enforcement strategies, Esther also assists clients in maximizing the return on their IP investment by advising on licensing or franchising agreements relating to corporate acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic business activities. She has been noted as “Excellent lawyer, very contentious and detail-oriented. Highly recommended” as well as “She is prompt and understands our business well” on Asialaw Profiles’ client feedback on individual lawyers.
She is also actively involved in educating the public on the importance of IP and its value in commercialization. She is currently the President for the Singapore’s Chapter of the International Intellectual Property Commercialisation Council (IIPCC), Deputy Vice President of the Singapore Digital Chamber of Commerce (SGDCC) and Co-chair of the Brands for Good movement, an award recognising the efforts of companies making “purposeful profits” with their IP assets. Esther is an avid speaker and has conducted many trainings/workshops on IP with different organisations including with the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC), Singapore’s DBS Bank Ltd’s SME Academy for SME Innovation and Singapore Business Federation. She is a committee member of INTA’s Anti-Counterfeiting East Asia & Pacific Sub-Committee for the 2020-2023 term.