Indonesian IP firm SKC Law has named Gunawan Suryomurcito, the father of co-founder Purnomo Suryomurcito, as a partner.
Gunawan joins from Suryomurcito & Co, the Indonesian associate firm of Rouse that he established in 1997. He was also a founding partner of IP law firm Indopatent, which opened its doors in 2000.
He served as an invited expert during the 1989 parliamentary public hearing on the jurisdiction’s first draft patent law. He also currently sits on the board of the Asosiasi Konsultan Kekayaan Intelektual Indonesia (AKHKI), the Indonesian IP consultants’ association.
“On a personal level, having my father join the firm is a moment of real pride. I grew up watching his work shape Indonesian IP practice, and to now have him beside us as a partner – rather than across the table – is something I will never take for granted,” Purnomo told Asia Business Law Journal.
“Professionally, the value is just as real. Much of the knowledge and experience Bapak Gunawan carries has never been written down. He knows which enforcement routes worked before the current regulations existed, and which quietly did not.”
Andrew Conduit, who co-founded SKC Law with Purnomo, said Gunawan’s experience would benefit the firm and the appointment was part of a broader expansion effort.
“On future recruitment – yes, expanding our professional staff is a key component of our current strategy and Bapak Gunawan’s arrival is very much part of that direction of travel,” he told ABLJ.
