Rate Professor Kimberlee Weatherall

Professional Summary: Professor Kimberlee Weatherall

Professor Kimberlee Weatherall is a distinguished legal scholar and academic at the University of Sydney Law School, Australia. With a focus on intellectual property law and the intersection of law and technology, she has established herself as a leading expert in her field through extensive research, publications, and contributions to policy and academic discourse.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Weatherall holds an impressive academic record with degrees from prestigious institutions:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons) from the University of Sydney
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) (Hons) from the University of Sydney
• Master of Laws (LLM) from Yale Law School, USA

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Her research primarily focuses on:

• Intellectual property law, including copyright, trademarks, and patents
• Law and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data governance
• Digital economy and trade law
• Access to knowledge and innovation policy

Professor Weatherall’s work often explores the balance between protecting intellectual property and fostering innovation in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Weatherall has held several significant academic and professional roles:

• Professor of Law at the University of Sydney Law School (current position)
• Associate Professor at the University of Sydney (prior role)
• Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland
• Visiting scholar at various international institutions, contributing to global discussions on IP law

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Her contributions to legal scholarship have been recognized through numerous accolades, including:

• Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship, supporting her research on intellectual property and technology
• Recognition as a leading IP law scholar in Australia through various academic and professional citations

Key Publications

Professor Weatherall has authored and co-authored several influential works in intellectual property and technology law. Notable publications include:

• Intellectual Property: Text and Essential Cases (co-authored, multiple editions, latest 2021)
• ‘Of Copyright Bureaucracies and Incoherence: Stepping Back from Australia’s Recent Copyright Reforms’ (2007, Melbourne University Law Review)
• ‘The Australia-US Free Trade Agreement’s Impact on Australian Copyright and Patent Law’ (2005, co-authored, various journals)
• Numerous articles on AI, data governance, and IP in leading law journals

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Weatherall is widely regarded as a thought leader in intellectual property law, particularly in the context of digital technologies. Her research has influenced policy debates in Australia and internationally, contributing to discussions on copyright reform, trade agreements, and the legal implications of AI. She is frequently cited in academic literature and policy documents, reflecting her significant impact on shaping contemporary IP law frameworks.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

In addition to her academic work, Professor Weatherall is actively engaged in the broader legal and policy community:

• Regular speaker at national and international conferences on intellectual property and technology law
• Member of advisory committees and expert panels on IP policy and digital economy issues in Australia
• Contributor to government inquiries and submissions on copyright and technology law reforms
• Editorial board member and peer reviewer for leading legal journals in her field