Profile
“My strongest professional quality is my ability to build trust and long-term relationships, whether with clients, colleagues, or stakeholders”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage
When Lisa Taliadoros first stepped into a laboratory at the CSIRO, she didn’t imagine that her scientific training would one day power a career in law. But it did. After years researching in the fields of virology and immunology, she shifted from the microscope to the courtroom, bringing a scientist’s precision to the world of intellectual property litigation.
“I didn’t set out with a detailed 20-year career plan, but I was strategic about building a practice underpinned by my interdisciplinary background,” she explains.
That approach has carried her into some of Australia’s most significant patent disputes, involving gene technologies, medical innovations and biotechnology breakthroughs. Today, she is partner-in-charge of Jones Day’s Melbourne office, Australian head of intellectual property, and inclusion and advancement partner for Australia.
Taliadoros’s early years in law were marked by a transition from the male-dominated STEM world into a more diverse environment, with women mentors for the first time. Nevertheless, she recalls that she initially sought to model her leadership style on senior male law partners, seen as the rainmakers of her then firm. It worked in part but didn’t feel authentic or sustainable.
Over time, she found a better way. By leaning into her Italian immigrant heritage and personal experiences, she developed a leadership voice grounded in honesty, openness and collaboration.
“I believe that I am seen as a strong leader, but one who is trusted and who inspires colleagues through a commitment to demonstrating the myriad ways of achieving success individually and together,” she says.
That same authenticity guides her advocacy for inclusion. She has long observed how leadership circles often form in informal spaces that can exclude women, such as sporting events and after-hours drinks. Her solution is not to join those spaces but to help reshape them. She encourages practices that are deliberately inclusive and create equal footing for contribution and connection.
Taliadoros’s scientific foundation continues to set her apart. She credits her research background with giving her the tools to dissect complex technologies, construct original legal arguments and approach challenges through multiple lenses.
As her career evolved, so did her sense of purpose. Leadership, she says, comes with privilege and obligation to create opportunities, challenge outdated norms, and help others advance. She mentors younger lawyers and champions pathways for women and professionals from diverse backgrounds to thrive in law.
Taliadoros hopes her impact will be measured not only in landmark patents and other IP cases and patent litigation reform initiatives but also in how she has influenced the culture of the profession.
She says, “I’d like my legacy to be to show that a woman from a diverse background, both personally and professionally, without conventional ‘pedigree,’ can have a successful career in the law and do it not by trying to conform to a traditional approach but by staying true to personal values and beliefs.”
It is this fusion of intellect, authenticity and conviction that defines her as one of Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer’s Elite Women for 2025.
20 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5J 2N9
6 3 9101 6821
ltaliadoros@jonesday.com
linkedin.com/in/lisa-taliadoros-aa4576144
jonesday.com
Lisa Taliadoros
Partner-in-Charge, Melbourne and Australian Head of Intellectual Property Jones Day
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Milestones
“I’ve always believed that if you love what you do, you’ll never settle, and that attitude has guided every decision I’ve made”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage
1988
1996
1998
Present
2025
Completed Bachelor of Science (BSc), Monash University
1988
Earned Graduate Diploma in Science, University of Sydney
1996
Received Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of New South Wales
1998
Consistently ranked as a top professional in the IAM Patent 1000 — The World's Leading Patent Practitioners since 2015
Recognised by Best Lawyers in Australia for outstanding work in Biotechnology Law and Intellectual Property Law since 2014
Recommended for IP Law by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific since 2016
2019–2025: Recognised by Chambers Asia-Pacific for being “very thoughtful, detail-oriented and she really analyses issues deeply” since 2019
Named Patent Star — Australia and listed among the Top 250 Women in IP by IP STARS
Present
Appointed Manager, Management Liability and Crime
2025
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
As a founding member of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning.), an employee resource group created for all women of Ryan Specialty, Phillips Topping has long championed for women in the industry.
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females,” she adds.
In addition to her sharp marketing eye, the key to Phillips Topping’s success lies in her high-energy approach and positive attitude.
“As the leader of a team, it’s important to motivate and encourage your team members. People work very hard and do their best and it’s important to recognize these efforts. For my career overall, my attitude has been one of curiosity. The more you can learn, the better you’ll understand the business, and then the deeper your knowledge will become, making you a better team member.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
A significant part of his focus today is staying ahead of regulatory change while maintaining a seamless client experience. He tracks updates from regulators and lenders closely and works with his teams to adjust systems as needed.
“My approach to my role and my career has always been rooted in passion, focus, and a relentless pursuit of excellence,” he says. “I’ve never been driven solely by profit or business metrics. I believe in hiring great talent, trusting them, and pushing boundaries because innovation doesn’t come from playing it safe.”
His experience isn’t limited to Canada. Ibrahim has worked in the US and UAE, which shaped his global perspective and comfort with adapting to different markets. He thrives on risk, viewing setbacks as stepping stones to progress.
“I’ve always believed that if you love what you do, you’ll never settle, and that attitude has guided every decision I’ve made,” he adds.
That outlook continues to guide his work and reflects his broader goal of helping move the industry forward. Through his brokerage, lending company, and legal services, Ibrahim is focused on creating long-term value for his clients, his teams, and others working in the field.