influence legal is a boutique commercial practice specialising in IT, intellectual property, commercial contracting, marketing and compliance.
Based in inner Sydney, our focus is to provide commercial, efficient business advice based on a solid, up to date understanding of relevant legal principles.
As a small firm, influence legal is able to provide timely and client-centred advice with a flexible approach.
With the kind of substantial, high level experience that you can rely on to provide you with top-quality advice, we also have a clear understanding of the issues facing new and growing businesses.
Elizabeth Burrows, director, has over 20 years’ experience advising a range of commercial clients, from global IT corporations to independent Australian film producers and composers. Elizabeth worked at major Australian law firms and large corporates, including IBM and SOCOG, before establishing influence legal in 2012.
Blake Motbey, senior associate, joined the team at influence legal as a paralegal in 2018.
Combining his passion for the arts and creative industries with his background in law, Blake previously worked in the legal team at a major record label, assisted in advising student start-ups as part of the UNSW Entrepreneur Legal Centre, and volunteered with the Arts Law Centre of Australia.
Throughout his time with us, Blake has gained a range of experience in a variety of areas, including commercial contracting, intellectual property, information technology, entertainment, and commercial law matters. He has been responsible for privacy assessments for a big 4 firm, and undertaken secondments in a global franchising business and a global beverage company.
Ashna Govil, graduate lawyer, joined influence legal as a paralegal in 2022 after completing her Juris Doctor at the University of Sydney Law School. Originally from the U.S., she brings a cross-jurisdictional perspective as an Australian-admitted solicitor currently preparing for admission to the New York Bar.
Alongside her work at influence legal, Ashna has been a Paralegal at the Arts Law Centre of Australia, where she supported artists (particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives) on matters involving copyright, contracts, and cultural rights. With a strong interest in intellectual property, Ashna’s background in media, music, fashion, and the arts informs her legal approach and fuels her commitment to empowering creatives across borders. She is excited to continue developing her expertise in IP and commercial law as part of the influence legal team.
This firm is a valued pro bono supporter of the Arts Law Centre of Australia.