About

Ian Aldridge

Founder & Principal Lawyer

Ian Aldridge is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Progressive Legal, a NewLaw law firm he established in 2014 with the vision of making high-quality legal services more accessible and transparent for Australian businesses.

He adopts a very commercial approach to legal services which makes him very unique as a lawyer, an ability to communicate effectively with business owners and provide useful and practical advice to growing businesses in Australia.

With more than 20 years’ legal experience in Australia and the UK, Ian has advised thousands of businesses across a broad range of commercial legal matters.

Prior to founding Progressive Legal, Ian spent a decade practising in commercial litigation with small, medium and large law firms, developing extensive experience in dispute resolution, risk management and complex commercial matters.

Ian established Progressive Legal after returning from London and identifying a need for a more client-focused approach to legal services, combining practical advice, transparent pricing and tailored legal solutions for Australian businesses.

He conducted a large survey of Australian businesses and found three very common complaints from business owners about the provision of legal services.

1. Cost. Don’t know, bill shock, hourly rates, who’s doing what work, etc.
2. Communication. Legalese, sentence paragraphs, unknown words, not replying in a reasonable time, can’t get a hold of my lawyer, etc.
3. Care. Most business owners felt like their lawyer didn’t actually care about their business. They didn’t respond to phone calls or emails, they didn’t get a good vibe from them, they didn’t remember what they had already told them about their business, they didn’t understand their business (or didn’t take the time to understand). It felt more like a transaction than a relationship.

He started Progressive Legal to do things different. To provide much better legal services to the Australian market. Amazing service, higher quality legal product, much better practical and legal advice and actually provide care for his clients. He is extremely passionate about small business in Australia. The engine room of the Australian economy, which employs over 65% of the workforce. They are helping themselves and helping others, taking risks and giving things a go – trying to make a difference.

He works closely with business owners to understand their objectives and provide strategic guidance throughout the business lifecycle, from establishing and protecting their businesses through to resolving commercial disputes and managing legal risks.

Ian’s practice areas include commercial law, intellectual property, trade marks, dispute resolution, workplace law and business structuring.

He has extensive experience in commercial litigation, advising on complex disputes, intellectual property matters, trade mark oppositions, trade mark disputes, copyright infringement, commercial agreements and workplace-related disputes.

His litigation background enables him to provide commercially focused advice with a strong emphasis on identifying and mitigating risks before they escalate.

He regularly appears on various podcasts for businesses.

Ian holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from Macquarie University.

He was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2005 and is a member of the Law Society of New South Wales and IPSANZ (Intellectual Property Society Australia and New Zealand).

View Ian’s capability statement here.

Sonal Moore

Senior Lawyer & Trade Mark Consultant

Sonal is a highly experienced Senior Lawyer and Trade Mark Consultant who works with Progressive Legal, drawing on more than 40 years’ experience in Intellectual Property law across commercial and litigious matters.

Recognised as one of Australia’s leading IP experts, Sonal advises clients on complex trade mark, copyright, and intellectual property matters, helping businesses protect and strengthen their brands. She is also the author of the weekly newsletter Personalised IP, which explores important IP developments and disputes in Australia and overseas.

Sonal shares her knowledge as a tutor at the University of Technology Sydney, where she tutors in the Trade Marks Practice course in the Masters of Intellectual Property. Beyond the law, Sonal is an accomplished writer. Her recent play, Ten Years To Home, draws on her personal experiences and reflects the journey, resilience and perspectives that have shaped her life and career.

Outside of work, Sonal is a proud mum of two and grandmother, and enjoys travelling with her husband and spending time with her family.

View Sonal’s capability statement here.

Tessa Lyden

Head of Estate Planning, Structuring and Corporate & Commercial Law

Tessa leads our Estate Planning, Structuring and Corporate & Commercial Law teams, providing practical, strategic advice to individuals, families and business owners. She works closely with clients to protect their assets, plan for the future and navigate important personal and commercial decisions with confidence.

Her expertise spans estate planning, asset structuring, succession planning, trusts, business structuring, corporate and commercial transactions, governance and business succession. Tessa develops tailored legal solutions that reflect each client’s objectives, helping them protect their wealth, plan for the future and build strong foundations for lasting success.

Known for building genuine, long-term relationships, Tessa is committed to delivering practical advice and a personalised client experience.

Tessa enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors on family camping trips, and embracing the busy, fun, and rewarding moments that come with being a mum.

Jacob Grumetza

Lawyer and Trade Mark Associate

Jacob is a skilled Lawyer and Trade Mark Associate with experience advising clients across a broad range of intellectual property matters. His commitment to keeping up with the latest legal developments ensures clients receive informed, practical, and strategic legal advice.

Jacob advises clients on trade mark matters across a range of industries, drawing on his extensive understanding of both Australian and international trade mark law. He works closely with clients to develop tailored intellectual property strategies, helping protect and strengthen their brands.

Outside of work, Jacob enjoys spending time with his partner, scaling bouldering walls, and is always up for a journey through Middle-earth.

View Jacob’s capability statement here.

Ryan Collins

Lawyer

Ryan is a Commercial Litigation Lawyer at our Sydney office. Ryan brings extensive experience across commercial litigation, insolvency and bankruptcy matters, and is highly experienced in running complex, contested disputes from commencement through to resolution.

Ryan has also completed a Master of Laws at UNSW, specialising in Technology, Intellectual Property and Media Law, and we’re excited to have him bring that expertise into the practice as he builds a longer-term focus in tech-adjacent and IP-related disputes.

Beyond the courtroom, Ryan enjoys live music and searching for his next favourite artist.

Seren Everingham

Paralegal

Seren is a Law/Arts student at the University of Sydney with paralegal experience in boutique law firms. Her strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and reliability make her a valuable addition to the Progressive Legal team.

Seren works across commercial, employment, intellectual property, and dispute matters, assisting with legal drafting, contract reviews, client consultations, hearing preparation, and supporting the wider legal team. She also contributes to the development of internal resources, including precedents, guides, and the integration of AI tools within the firm.

With conversational skills in Spanish and German, and having studied in both countries, Seren brings a global perspective to her work and a passion for connecting across cultures.

Milena Molina

Practice Manager

Milena is the Practice Manager at Progressive Legal and has worked in the legal industry since 2011. With extensive experience supporting boutique law firms in Sydney’s CBD, she brings a practical, people-focused approach to managing the firm’s operations, client experience, and continued growth.

Since joining Progressive Legal in 2021, Milena has played a key role in the firm’s evolution, helping to build and support a growing team across multiple practice areas. She works closely with the firm’s leadership team to oversee operations, finance, recruitment, human resources, client management, and business strategy, ensuring the firm continues to deliver an exceptional experience for both clients and staff.

Before entering the legal profession, Milena owned a fashion label and co-owned an award-winning restaurant and cocktail bar in Darlinghurst. This firsthand business experience gives her a strong understanding of the challenges faced by business owners and entrepreneurs, allowing her to bring a commercial perspective to her role and to the support she provides to clients and the team.

Known for her approachable nature, strong organisational skills, and commitment to continuous improvement, Milena is passionate about building efficient systems, fostering a positive workplace culture, and helping Progressive Legal achieve its long-term goals.

Ashley Rose

Executive Assistant

Ashley joined Progressive Legal in 2021 and brings more than 10 years of experience as an Executive Assistant within the legal industry. As the go-to person for all things administration and IT, Ashley is known for her approachable nature, exceptional organisation, and ability to make both clients and colleagues feel welcome.

Working closely with the team, Ashley plays an integral role in keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, providing support across client services, administration, and day-to-day operations. She’s always happy to help—whether it’s troubleshooting a tricky IT issue, answering a process question, or lending a hand wherever it’s needed. Generous with her time, knowledge, and support, Ashley is someone her colleagues know they can rely on, and her positive, solutions-focused approach helps the entire team thrive.

Outside the office, Ashley loves spending time with her two children, cooking up something delicious for her family, and indulging her love of movies—whether it’s discovering a new favourite or rewatching an old classic.

Sera Aran

Trade Mark Attorney and Legal Client Manager

Passionate about building genuine client relationships, Sera takes pride in providing practical, strategic advice tailored to each client’s unique goals.

Dedicated, approachable and solutions focused, she helps businesses protect and strengthen the brands they have worked so hard to build, ensuring clients feel informed, supported and confident throughout the trade mark process.

Outside of work, Sera values spending time with her family, keeping active at the gym and is rarely seen without a beautiful piece of jewellery or a timeless watch. It’s safe to say she’s always one of the best accessorised members of the team.

Bree McIntyre

Business Development Manager

Bree is a Business Development Manager, bringing over 20 years of experience across client services, sales and marketing, recruitment, and legal services.

She is passionate about building strong client relationships, understanding each client’s unique needs, and delivering tailored solutions that support long-term success. Bree works closely with clients and the team to create meaningful connections, provide exceptional service, and ensure every client experience is positive from the very first interaction.

A proud mum of two gorgeous girls, Bree brings the same care, energy, and enthusiasm to her personal life as she does to her work. Known for her sharp wit and warm personality, she has a natural ability to make genuine connections and bring a positive spirit to those around her.

Joanna Sobotka

Assistant Accountant

Joanna is an Assistant Accountant who supports the firm’s financial operations with a strong focus on accuracy, organisation, and attention to detail.

She manages client invoicing and payment processing across the firm, assists with accounts administration, reconciliations, and financial record keeping, and supports billing and reporting processes to help ensure matters are managed efficiently. Joanna works closely with the legal and administration teams to keep the firm’s day-to-day operations running smoothly.

Known for her sharp wit, attention to detail, and no-nonsense approach, Joanna keeps everyone on track and makes sure things are done properly. While she may be the person everyone turns to when something needs chasing or fixing, her reliability, humour, and strong sense of accountability make her a much-loved member of the team.

Lan Pham

Senior Intellectual Property Lawyer

Lan is an IP and commercial lawyer and Trade Marks Attorney with almost 10 years’ experience in intellectual property matters at leading international firms.

She advises clients on all aspects of trade marks and brand protection, from selection and clearance searches through to prosecution and enforcement across local and international markets. Lan has worked with clients across industries including fashion, FMCG, technology, entertainment, electronics and pharmaceuticals.

Outside of work, Lan has a passion for fashion and enjoys keeping up with the latest trends, a perfect match for someone who spends her days helping protect brands.

Sabrina Gahni

Junior Lawyer

Sabrina works in the Dispute Resolution team, where she assists with legal drafting, preparing advice and correspondence, and supporting senior lawyers across a range of matters.

She communicates with Counsel, attends Court, and contributes to the efficient management and progression of legal matters, helping the team deliver practical outcomes for clients.

When she’s not working on legal matters, Sabrina enjoys playing basketball and keeping active, always ready to bring her competitive spirit both on and off the court.

Taylah Wright

Paralegal

Taylah works in the IP team, where she assists clients with the protection and management of their trade marks and other IP rights.

She supports the team with trade mark applications, portfolio management, and a range of intellectual property matters to help businesses protect their brands.

A self-confessed automotive enthusiast, Taylah enjoys racing, fast cars, and helping clients in the automotive space protect what drives their businesses.

Jodie Wood

Administration Assistant

Brittany Muiznieks

Corporate and Commercial Lawyer

Edward Ellis

Paralegal

Madeline Gentle

Trade Mark Paralegal