Damon Henshaw

Principal, Spruson & Ferguson

Damon Henshaw has 30 years experience in the IP industry.

Damon grew up in Geelong and moved to Melbourne to study physics, mathematics and electrical engineering at the University of Melbourne. Damon qualified with an Honours Degree in theoretical astrophysics and while studying started as a trainee patent attorney, working on nuclear fusion during summer holidays.

He subsequently qualified as a Patent Attorney and became a senior partner in one of Australia’s leading IP firms while working for overseas clients and well as local clients in Geelong, Adelaide, Melbourne, Byron Bay, Brisbane and Sydney. Damon established a Parramatta office and developed a practice in Greater Western Sydney while also working in Newcastle, Cardiff and down through the Central Coast.

Damon specialises in patent preparation and prosecution in a range of fields including mining, medical, vehicle and road safety, machine tooling, and building and construction, as well as handling contentious work and resolving freedom to operate issues.

Damon really enjoys helping local businesses grow. His own business portfolio has included a bar in Melbourne’s CBD, a hotel in Port Melbourne, an indoor paintball business as well as a residential building development in Sydney. Damon was also a Sydney Angel, providing advice and start-up capital to new businesses such as Happy Co., The Best Day and Ollo Wearables as well as investing in Cook Islands medical technology via CIMTECH.

During his career, Damon established a network of overseas associates to assist in securing protection internationally.

In 2017 Damon was Chair of the Organising Committee and welcomed over 2000 international delegates to Sydney for the AIPPI (Association of Intellectual Property Practitioners, International) World IP Conference. Damon subsequently became President of the Australian Group of AIPPI which helps harmonise and promote IP internationally to better assist clients.

Damon combines careful IP portfolio management, awareness and advice with experience and delivery.

Fellow of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA), Chair of the Organising Committee for the international conference AIPPI Sydney since 2017, and President of AIPPI Australia since 2018.