About us

Specialist trademark protection, with a personal touch.

We are a boutique Australian trademark firm built on the belief that protecting your brand should feel straightforward, not overwhelming.

5.0 on Google

Specialist Trademark Attorney Team

45+ Years Combined Experience

Est. 2010

Australian & International

Our story

A fresh chapter in trademark practice.

Signify IP was founded in 2024 when Hollie Ford, who had been running Contego Trademark Attorneys since 2010, joined forces with Christine Kelly to build something fresh, focused, and exciting.

After nearly two decades in trademark practice, Hollie wanted to create a firm that combined deep legal expertise with the kind of personalised, responsive service that simply is not possible in a larger practice. The rebrand to Signify IP marked a new chapter — a deliberate step toward a firm with a distinct identity, a clear focus, and a genuine passion for the brands it works with.

Together, Hollie and Christine bring complementary strengths that make them an unusually well-rounded team. Hollie’s legal expertise across Australian and international trademark law is matched by Christine’s exceptional knowledge of global trademark portfolio management and her background in administration and client support. The result is a firm where nothing falls through the cracks and every client gets the attention their brand deserves.

What we love working on

Brands that mean something to the people who built them.

We work with businesses of all sizes — from startups protecting a name for the first time to established brands managing complex international portfolios. We have a particular passion for wellness brands, e-commerce businesses, and personal brands, where trademark protection is often deeply tied to the identity and commercial future of what someone has built.

Whatever the business, our approach is the same: get to know the brand, understand what matters commercially, and give advice that is honest, clear, and genuinely useful.

Our values

Four principles that shape every client relationship.

Clarity

We explain everything in plain English. No legal jargon, no unnecessary complexity — just clear advice you can act on.

Transparency

Fixed fees, no hidden surprises, and upfront cost estimates before you commit to anything.

Protection

Strategic, long-term thinking about your brand — not just the immediate filing.

Personal

You are not a number. Every client works directly with our team and gets the attention their brand deserves.

Our team

Specialist knowledge, genuine care.

With 45+ years of combined trademark experience, Hollie and Christine bring specialist knowledge, genuine care, and an unusually broad range of skills to every client relationship.

Hollie Ford

Director | Registered Trademark Attorney

Hollie has been working in trademark law since 2007, building Contego Trademark Attorneys into a trusted practice before relaunching as Signify IP in 2024. She specialises in brand protection across all aspects of trademark law and procedure — from clearance and filing through to disputes, examination reports, and international registrations. She works with clients of all sizes to develop strong, enforceable trademarks that grow into valuable business assets.

Qualifications & Memberships

Registered Trademark Attorney — TTIPAB
Graduate Certificate in Trademark Law — UTS
Bachelor of Justice and Society — Flinders University
Certificate IV in Small Business Management
Member: FICPI · IPTA · IPSANZ

Read full bio →

Christine Kelly

Trademarks Paralegal

Christine brings exceptional experience in global trademark portfolio management and a depth of industry knowledge that goes well beyond a traditional paralegal role. Her background in administration and client support means she keeps everything running smoothly — deadlines met, portfolios maintained, and clients informed at every stage. Christine is the reason nothing gets missed.

Read full bio →

Why choose Signify IP

Boutique by design, comprehensive in reach.

Focused only on trademarks

Specialist trademark advice tailored to your business — not a general law firm trying to cover everything.

A boutique firm with a personalised approach

You work directly with Hollie and Christine — not a junior team member you have never met. Every client gets the attention their brand deserves.

Trademark management software with client portal

Your portfolio is managed, monitored, and up to date — with online access so you can view your trademarks any time.

Professional support from first contact to final invoice

Signify IP is supported by a professional network of specialists across IT, reception, bookkeeping, and digital — so the firm runs efficiently and our focus stays on your trademark matters. Every interaction is managed smoothly and you will always know where things stand.

Proactive, responsive, and easy to work with

Quick response times, practical guidance, and upfront about costs with no surprises.

A trusted network of international agents

We work with trademark attorneys and agents across 50+ countries, so wherever your brand operates we can coordinate protection without you needing to manage multiple firms. The reach of a global practice, with the service of a boutique firm.

Australian and international protection

From local filings to the Madrid Protocol — helping you build trademarks that become valuable business assets.

Working with us

Trusted by international firms as their Australian associate.

We regularly act for overseas trademark attorneys and agents whose clients need local Australian expertise. With a deep understanding of IP Australia processes, responsive communication, and a commitment to keeping your clients informed, we make the associate relationship straightforward from both sides.

If you are an international firm looking for a reliable, responsive Australian associate, we would love to work with you.

Get in Touch

Ready to protect your brand?

Whether you are just starting out or managing an established portfolio, we would love to help.

Book a Free Consultation Get a Free Trademark Search