FB Rice

FB Rice is a prominent independent intellectual property (IP) firm based in Australia, with a history spanning over 75 years, having been founded in Sydney by Frederick Bernhard Rice in 1949. Starting from a single office, it has evolved into a leading entity in IP services across Australia, New Zealand, and South-East Asia. The firm is privately owned by its partners, distinguishing itself by its sole focus on intellectual property, unburdened by external shareholders or affiliations with specific law firms. This independent status ensures a client-centric approach, fostering genuine partnerships built on trust and a deep understanding of clients' commercial landscapes.

FB Rice offers a comprehensive suite of IP services designed to help businesses protect, commercialise, and strategically leverage their innovations. Their expertise spans various critical areas including patent preparation, filing, and prosecution, trade mark strategy and management, design registrations, and robust R&D tax consulting. They also provide specialist advice and support for IP oppositions and litigation, ensuring a holistic approach to intellectual property management for their diverse client base.

The firm serves a wide array of clients, ranging from universities and research institutes to government agencies, research co-operatives, startups, and both local and international corporations across various sectors. These industries include biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, software and information technology, manufacturing, mining, and fast-moving consumer goods. FB Rice prides itself on its technical excellence, recruiting experts across these fields who possess strong communication skills to translate complex IP issues into understandable, commercially relevant advice.

A key differentiator for FB Rice is its consistent industry recognition and commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment. The firm has been lauded with numerous accolades, including 19 Australian Client Choice Awards, with a notable achievement of being recognised as 'Best Specialist IP & Related Services Firm' for nine consecutive years, extending to 2026. They were also named 'Trans-Tasman IP Firm of the Year' in 2024, and have frequently received 'Australian Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year' and 'Australian Trademark Attorney Firm of the Year' awards.

Leadership at FB Rice saw Madeleine Kelly appointed as Managing Partner on 1 July 2025, succeeding Brett Lunn, who served in the role for 16 years and continues as Chair and Partner. Kate Mahady leads the R&D Tax Consulting team, bringing over 20 years of experience in the field. The firm's leadership, along with its emphasis on continuous growth, a helpful and approachable demeanour, and teamwork, underpins its mission to inspire attorneys and staff to effectively navigate the intricate world of intellectual property for their clients.