Requalifying and thriving in IP Law

When Quentin Dequiret moved from France to Australia in late 2021, he wasn’t starting a new career – he was continuing one. 

As a European-qualified intellectual property (IP) lawyer, he wanted to keep working in his specialised field while maintaining the high standard of practice he had built in Europe. Moving countries, however, meant he first had to adapt to the Australian legal system.

Looking for a practical way to transfer his expertise, Quentin enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property at UTS. The program gave him exactly what he needed: a recognised pathway to trade mark attorney registration that expanded his knowledge and complemented his broader requalification journey. 

Now an Australian-admitted lawyer and registered trade marks attorney, Quentin practices at a Sydney-based IP firm and says the Graduate Certificate gave him the foundation to confidently apply his international experience in an Australian context. 

"Even though IP is international, I wanted an Australian qualification that was practical and flexible. After researching my options, the IP postgraduate courses at the UTS Faculty of Law stood out as the best fit."

Building connections while learning flexibly

Quentin had a lot to manage all at once: moving to a new country, starting work at an IP firm and taking on the Graduate Certificate. The program’s flexible online format made it possible to juggle these commitments while staying immersed with his studies. 

What surprised him most, however, was how engaging online learning could be. Through live sessions, discussion forums and interactive tools, he found himself actively participating and connecting with educators and peers. 

"Many people reached out when they saw I was an overseas-qualified lawyer. They wanted to learn more about my professional background, and I was very happy to share my experiences with them."

He appreciated the mix of theory, exercises and interactive tools that sustained his interest throughout the course. 

"The multiple-choice questions, and gamified approach to testing knowledge was engaging. You submit legal answers, then click ‘check’ to see how you did. It’s playful, but a really effective way to test your knowledge." 

"There’s also an open question format where you share your opinion on how to apply a point of law. You can see how other students respond, and you realise everyone interprets the law differently – it’s fascinating to hear all the different perspectives." 

Although Quentin could complete his studies entirely online, he made the most of UTS’s exceptional facilities and valued the convenience of the central Sydney campus. 

"The campus and facilities were excellent – the space, the range of books, the helpful staff and the IT systems," he says. 

"Having a quality study space away from home, especially on weekends, made a real difference to my productivity."

Putting knowledge into practice 

For Quentin, the practical focus of the IP program was immediately valuable.

"Working on real submissions for complex matters was very interesting. It gave me a chance to put my legal skills into practice and better understand how the work is approached in Australia and New Zealand." 

Studying while working at an IP firm also created an immediate feedback loop, allowing him to apply new concepts directly to his work and reinforce his knowledge. 

"I had the opportunity to integrate the course material straight away. For instance, I already understood the international framework of trade marks, but the course helped me refine that knowledge for additional local practices."

The program helped Quentin adapt his expertise to the Australian legal environment, making his day-to-day work more informed, relevant and closely aligned with local IP practice.

Expert support every step of the way 

One of the standout parts of Quentin’s UTS experience was the quality of academic support, particularly the expertise and approachability of the teaching staff. 

"You have a lecturer assigned to each subject, so you’re never on your own. They introduce themselves properly, and they’re very knowledgeable – often barristers with years of experience or practitioners who’ve been teaching the course so long they really know the ins and outs."

Jane Rawlings, an intellectual property barrister and program lecturer, left a lasting impression. 

"Jane was an outstanding lecturer. She really knows her stuff, and you can tell she’s passionate about IP law. She likes to engage with students and is always very responsive if you have questions." 

Guest talks from industry experts added another valuable layer, especially for someone new to the Australian legal landscape. 

"These sessions gave me my first real connection to the IP world in Australia, which was very helpful coming from overseas."

Hearing directly from practitioners helped Quentin bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice, providing insights that went far beyond what textbooks or assignments could offer. 

Looking ahead 

Completing the Graduate Certificate gave Quentin more than just trade mark attorney registration, it boosted his confidence in navigating the Australian legal system and laid the foundation for ongoing professional growth. 

"Studying the Graduate Certificate gave me confidence working in Australia and motivated me to complete my full requalification as an Australian lawyer. It really encouraged me to keep pushing and achieving results."

"UTS is a well-regarded institution, which added an extra layer of credibility to my professional profile."

Now fully qualified and established in Australia’s IP scene, Quentin combines his European and Australian experience at IP SERVICE INTERNATIONAL to help clients protect, enforce and commercialise their intellectual property across both local and international markets. 

His current focus extends beyond legal technicalities.

"I am sharpening my commercial skills and focusing on what clients truly need, beyond legal theory. Clients want to see how their intellectual property can generate real value and provide meaningful protection for their business."

With strong foundations in multiple jurisdictions and a clear commercial focus on intellectual property, Quentin is shaping a career that bridges continents and delivers measurable value for his clients.