Joseph Elks

Joseph Elks

Admissions & Appointments
  • Barrister NSW 2020
  • New York NY 2016
  • Solicitor NSW 2012

Overview

Joseph has a broad practice, and specialises in all areas of intellectual property, complex commercial disputes, sports law, equity, consumer law and trade practices.

Joseph appears led and unled in the Federal Court as well as appearing unled in the NSW Supreme Court and lower courts and tribunals (including regularly appearing unled in the Racing Appeals Tribunal).

Joseph is ranked by Chambers and Partners as a leading junior in Intellectual Property in Asia Pacific (2025); recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a “Recommended” junior counsel in intellectual property litigation in New South Wales in 2022, 2023 and 2024; has been named by Best Lawyers as “One to Watch” in 2023 and 2024 for Intellectual Property and Commercial Law; and is ranked as a “Leading Junior” in IP and TMT by the Legal 500 in 2024 and 2025.

Prior to being called to the Bar, Joseph was a Senior Associate at Herbert Smith Freehills in Sydney, and a Senior Associate at a leading firm in New York, specialising in intellectual property and competition litigation.

Joseph obtained his Bachelor of Laws (Hons I) and Bachelor of Commerce from UQ and was awarded the Freehills Prize in Law for graduating with the highest law GPA for the dual program. Joseph also has a Master of Laws from NYU where he attended as a Hauser Global Scholar and graduated first in NYU’s Competition Law and IP program.

Joseph was an Associate to the Hon. Justice Cowdroy OAM at the Federal Court of Australia in 2011.

Qualifications

  • LLM New York University, 2016
  • LLB (Hons 1) University of Queensland 2010
  • BComm (Finance) University of Queensland 2010