About us

Specialist trademark expertise, genuinely personal service.

We're a boutique Australian Trade Mark Attorney firm, combining specialist expertise with service that actually feels personal.

5.0 on Google

Specialist Trademark Attorney Team

45+ Years Combined Experience

Est. 2010

Australian & International

Our story

A boutique trade mark practice protecting brands locally and internationally.

Hollie Ford has been protecting brands since 2007. Over nearly two decades in the profession she built Contego Trade Mark Attorneys into a trusted trade mark services business, and in 2024 she brought that practice under a new name, Signify IP. The rebrand reflects a sharper focus and a renewed commitment to her clients, but the experience, relationships, and expertise behind it carried straight through.

Hollie is joined by Christine Kelly, who brings 30 years in the IP industry to the firm. Christine is a highly experienced trade mark paralegal with extensive experience in portfolio management and the kind of attention to detail that keeps client filings on track across every deadline and jurisdiction. Together, Hollie and Christine combine sharp legal strategy with careful day to day management, so clients get the big picture and the fine detail handled with equal care.

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

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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.

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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