Raffaele Calabrese

With more than 20 years’ experience, Raffaele works with start‑ups, scale‑ups, established manufacturers, technology‑driven businesses and research institutes across the ICT, software, electronics and medical technology sectors, helping them secure, leverage and defend their IP in Australia and internationally.

Raffaele regularly advises founders, CEOs, R&D leaders and commercial decision‑makers, and understands the importance of providing clear, practical advice that aligns IP protection with commercial objectives, timelines and budgets.

He has particular experience in protecting electronics, software, ICT and engineering inventions, supported by a background in electrical and electronic engineering and a master’s degree specialising in information technology and telecommunications. He is actively engaged with the innovation ecosystem through mentoring early‑stage companies, including as a mentor at ThincLab, the University of Adelaide’s start‑up accelerator, where he assists innovators in transforming ideas into commercial products.

Raffaele is recognised for his technical depth, strategic thinking and ability to translate complex IP concepts into practical, commercially focused advice. He enjoys applying these strengths to help clients make informed decisions, minimise risk and maximise the value of their intellectual property.

Raffaele joined Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick in 2011 from another leading attorney firm and became a Principal in 2018. He is also the Practice Team Leader of the firm’s Electronics, Physics and IT (EPIT) team.