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Wrays appoints new principal
One of Australia’s leading intellectual property law firms, Wrays, has announced the hiring of a new principal.
Tony Zhang
Dr Mary Turonek joins the firm from FB Rice and will bring over 20 years experience to the Perth chemistry, resources and oil and gas teams.
Dr Turonek has, in particular, provided IP protection and management for a broad range of Australian and international oil and gas clients as well as start-ups, universities and research organisations.
“As a patent attorney you have the unique privilege of learning about new technologies and engaging with businesses that value innovation. It’s such a stimulating environment,” Dr Turonek said.
“I meet and work with lots of people who are experts in their field and you never really know what the next invention will be. The prospect of getting the best outcome for clients – persuading a recalcitrant examiner to accept the patent or a win at a hearing – appeals to the competitive side of me”.
Dr Turonek started her career as a chemist, completing a PhD in physical and inorganic chemistry before spending 10 years in research in Australia and the UK.
Her IP oil and gas practice at Wrays will focus on upstream and downstream technologies, in particular offshore and subsea engineering, natural gas processing, LNG production, refrigerants, shipping logistics and GTL processes.
She will also draw on her experience with mining equipment, mineral processing, hydrogen, biofuels and pyrolysis of organic material.
Dr Turonek has a particular interest in the challenges facing the oil and gas industry to develop sustainable solutions. “I think there will be a trend towards investment and development of alternative sustainable energy technologies such as hydrogen and energy storage as this sector transitions from fossil fuel to a broader spectrum energy sector”.
Dr Turonek enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge of IP with various industry groups through podcasts, radio and television broadcasts and presenting seminars.
She is currently a mentor for postgraduate students in STEM and is a former longstanding committee member and former Western Australian regional chair of the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand.
