The trade marks expert also talks the work experience that dismantled her “Ally McBeal stereotypes”
As judge’s associate in Australia, Amanda Griffiths bore witness to a moment that would make Les Misérables character Jean Valjean proud when a man’s conscience drove him to confess to a crime he would not have otherwise been caught for. The case became a display of the legal profession’s humanity – something that has always stayed with her.
Her time as judge’s associate did show Griffiths that she was not a good fit for criminal law, and she would go on to specialise in trade marks, becoming head of AJ Park’s trade marks practice before moving on to her current role with IP, commercial and private client law boutique MoranLaw. In the first part of this interview, Griffiths shares what she loves about her work in trade marks and what she’s looking forward to this year.
What made you choose a career in law, and what's your favourite part of the job?
Like many people, it was part planning and part accident. I had always enjoyed English but didn’t want to teach. In high school, I did work experience with a barrister and he broke down all my Ally McBeal stereotypes in a good way. From there, I decided to be a judge’s associate. It was a privilege to work with the most senior and respected people in the profession while I was still a junior, but during that time I learnt criminal law was not for me.
I then moved from Australia to New Zealand where I secured a job with an IP firm researching and helping to write a book on IP law and practices in New Zealand. Apart from a six-month course at university, I knew nothing about IP, so it was a steep learning curve, but something just clicked and I haven’t looked back.
Working in IP and specifically trade marks, you work with innovative people across all industries. You can be working with a large multinational who have hundreds of trade marks and are very IP savvy, while also working with a start up in a very technical field who are dipping their toes into the IP world for the first time. I have a particular interest in FMCG. It makes me really proud walking down the supermarket aisle and seeing products I’ve had a small part in bringing to life.
What in your opinion has been the most memorable event of your career to date?
My first job was as a judge’s associate in Australia. There was a case where a man had committed an aggravated robbery 20 years earlier but had never been caught. In that time, he had turned his life around, married, had children and by all accounts been an upstanding citizen. But his conscience caught up with him, and he ended up confessing despite knowing he would face jail time and the impact on his family.
The police admitted the man was not even on their radar and the case would have remained unresolved but for his confession. He came before court for sentencing. It was a case which weighed heavily for all involved – the judge, prosecutor and defence barrister grappled with what to do. The judge imposed a custodial sentence but with the most emotive sentencing remarks. The man’s choice to do the right thing and the humanity of the profession shown that day has always stayed with me.
What are you looking forward to the most in the coming year?
I have a new role at MoranLaw and I’m so enthused about working with the amazing team and doing my bit to continue to grow the practice. I’m working with some friends who I’ve known for a long time so it’s a great combination of a fresh start while also feeling like a homecoming of sorts.
