Aparna Watal
Key details
- Job title: Partner, Head of Trademarks and Domain Names
- Firm: Halfords IP
- Jurisdiction: Australia, New Zealand
Aparna Watal combines senior trademark leadership, cross-border brand expertise, and thought leadership on emerging issues such as cultural IP, ‘dupe culture’, and Indigenous rights, while actively shaping modern trademark practice across Australia and New Zealand.
Watal is a partner and head of trademarks and domain names at boutique patent and trademark firm Halfords IP. She began her legal career in specialist IP firms in Australia and New Zealand, developing expertise across trademark portfolios ranging from startups to major global brands.
She later joined Baker McKenzie in Sydney, where she became a trusted advisor to multinational clients across media, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, fashion, manufacturing and consumer goods. A defining achievement of this period was founding and building Baker McKenzie’s New Zealand trademarks practice, establishing it from the ground up before rising to special counsel.
In April 2024, Watal joined Halfords IP as partner, taking on leadership of the firm’s trademarks and domain names practice. In this role, she advises global and emerging clients on trademark strategy, portfolio architecture, enforcement, oppositions, coexistence negotiations, and multi-jurisdictional brand protection programmes.
Her notable work includes advising a leading Australian quantum technology company on brand strategy in a highly technical innovation sector, as well as acting for global fashion brands on complex matters involving Indigenous cultural IP, traditional cultural expressions, and commercial branding. She is also active in disputes and advisory work involving modern brand challenges, including dupe culture and trademark enforcement trends.
Watal is a recognised thought leader and commentator on trademark law and cultural IP, contributing to publications and industry debate, and speaking at forums including the International Trademark Association (INTA). She is co-chair within the ChIPs Network (ANZ), a member of the INTA Famous & Well-Known Marks Subcommittee, and actively involved in the IP Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Beyond practice, she is known for her commitment to inclusion and professional development. She has developed structured training pathways for junior lawyers, mentors emerging practitioners, and is a visible advocate for diversity in IP.