The deal, which was completed in August 2025, aligns with Rouse’s strategic objective of greater integration and alignment of IP services globally. The Wrays Group has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide (Australia) and works directly into New Zealand. Wrays brings a wealth of expertise across the IP value chain, including a leadership position in life sciences and pharmaceutical patents.
This is a highly strategic deal connecting the Australian and New Zealand markets to Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe in a manner not previously seen, and will support clients’ evolving needs across this dynamic region. It continues Rouse’s impetus to combine deep on-the-ground expertise with broad international experience. Wrays’ existing clients will benefit from Rouse’s international coverage and industry-leading talent, while Rouse’s clients will benefit from Wrays’ strong patent practice and specific expertise in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, engineering, technology and natural resources. These benefits will be felt on the ground in Australia and internationally.
Luke Minford, CEO at Rouse, explains:
“This isn’t just another deal; it’s a strategic leap that will shake up the IP landscape in Asia Pacific. Australia is a critical piece in the building of a regional IP powerhouse, and so combining the depth of capability that Rouse has in Asia with the quality of talent and expertise Wrays has in Australia, creates a unique offering that will disrupt the status quo. I’m excited to see how we can leverage this partnership to deliver more value to our clients and drive innovation across the region.”
Gary Cox, Executive Chairman & Principal at Wrays, said:
“Wrays has always been driven by a vision to lead in the Australian IP market. We believe joining Rouse will be the catalyst that propels us onto the global stage, and we’re excited to deliver additional value to our clients thanks to Rouse’s international network and resources.”
Paula Adamson, Chief Executive Officer at Wrays, added:
“This isn’t just about expansion; it’s about offering our clients unparalleled access to expertise, technology and markets. This is a golden opportunity to support our clients who are looking to expand into international markets and protect their intangible assets globally.”
Will Stewart, Director at MML, added:
“We are absolutely delighted to have Gary, Paula and the whole Wrays team join Rouse. Right from the first meeting, we felt the cultural fit was excellent and complementarity of our respective offerings clear. This is an exciting day for both business and a huge step forward for Rouse in our continuous efforts to support clients’ evolving needs.”
Rouse was advised by Ad Astra, Pinsent Masons and Grant Thornton. The MML team included Rob Devonshire, Will Stewart & James Church.