Media release | Gadens boosts media law practice with appointment of IP and defamation litigation specialist

Gadens, a leading independent Australian law firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Marina Olsen as a partner (Intellectual Property and Technology, Sydney). Also joining Gadens’ IPT team, and bolstering the media and IP capabilities of the group in Sydney, from Banki Haddock Fiora is Jeren Gul, Associate.

Marina Olsen joins Gadens from Banki Haddock Fiora, a boutique IP and media law firm, having also worked at Allens Linklaters in Sydney and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London. Marina has extensive experience in litigation relating to both defamation and intellectual property, as well as in all aspects of the IP life cycle. Her experience has seen her involved in many high-profile media cases, including defending Fairfax / Nine Publishing and Christie Whelan Browne in the defamation case brought by actor Craig McLachlan, representing the Australian Financial Review and columnist Joe Aston in a defamation case brought by venture capitalist Elaine Stead, and acting for the AFR and Aaron Patrick in a defamation case commenced by entrepreneur Dr Jemma Green. She also provides regular pre-publication advice to media clients in the publishing, film and television and podcasting fields. Marina advises on IP commercialisation and privacy legal issues, with a particular focus on issues facing media clients. Her expertise and interest cover a broad range of industries; in addition to media and entertainment, Marina advises in the sports, design and consumer goods fields.

“I am thrilled to join Gadens, a firm that is renowned for its quality, innovation and client-focused approach. I look forward to working with the talented IP and technology team and contributing to the growth and development of the media law practice. It’s an exciting time to join, and I particularly look forward to making the most of the opportunity to leverage Gadens’ national network and offer my clients access to a full-service legal offering,” Marina says.

Commenting on Marina’s appointment, Mark Pistilli, Chief Executive Officer, says:

“Marina is a fantastic addition to our Intellectual Property and Technology team. She has an impressive track record of advising and representing prominent media and personalities in Australia on complex and high-stakes matters. She also has a deep understanding of the evolving media landscape and the legal challenges and opportunities it presents. We are thrilled to welcome Marina to our partnership, and Jeren to the team, strengthening our capabilities in this important and dynamic area of law.”

Marina adds her expertise to a growing media law practice in Gadens, alongside other partners who each have a specialised skillset:

• George Haros specialises in employment, industrial relations, litigation and dispute resolution, and has had carriage of cases where there is significant reputational risk at stake and some of the biggest sports law disputes of the previous decade, where he has acted for sporting organisations as well as high-profile athletes.
• Susan Goodman is a litigator with over 23 years’ experience acting for corporate clients and individuals as well as government departments. She has extensive experience advising and acting for clients in defamation matters, including successfully defending the Special Broadcasting Service in a claim brought against if for defamation. Susan is also experienced in carrying out pre-publication reviews.
• Michael Owens specialises in online regulation and litigation, defamation and intellectual property and represents and advises various multi-national companies and technology platforms.
• Lara Cresser specialises in digital intermediary liability, defamation, intellectual property, advertising and elections. She regularly represents and advises multi-national companies on compliance with Australian law in these areas, with a focus on advising some of the world’s leading technology and social media companies.