Irene joined Freehills’ Melbourne team in 1984 and was made a partner in 1987. Irene is also a consultant to the associated patent attorney firm, Freehills Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys.

Irene has substantial expertise in the field of intellectual property and information technology.

Irene has used her expertise to:

• draft and negotiate a wide variety of information technology and BPO contracts, including back office function, outsourcing, systems integration and software development and licence contracts
• draft and negotiate web-related agreements including website hosting, website development and weblinking contracts
• advise clients in relation to the establishment and operation of B2B and B2C electronic marketplaces
• advise clients on the structure and management of intellectual property rights
• advise clients on the management, commercialisation and protection of intellectual property rights, and
• draft and negotiate numerous licences of intellectual property rights including content licences.

Irene has a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Laws majoring in intellectual property and trade practices law from Monash University.
 
Irene's memberships include the Licensing Executives Society, the Intellectual Property Society of Australia, the Computer Law Society of Victoria, The Computer Law Association Inc and The American Bar Association. She also serves on the Intellectual Property Sub-Committee of the Business Law Section of The Law Council of Australia.

Irene speaks fluent German and is a board member of the Australian-German Association.