Before coming to the bar, Helen practised as a special counsel at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks (now Allens) and a senior associate at Blake Dawson Waldron (now Ashurst). She has a Bachelor of Science majoring in genetics.

In her time at the bar, Helen was a commercial barrister and Queen's Counsel specialising in science and technology related matters. She had significant experience in acting for clients in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, mining, and manufacturing industries and government.

Helen’s practice comprised patent and other intellectual property disputes in the Federal Court of Australia and the Patent and Trade Marks Offices, breach of confidence and employer/employee inventorship disputes, and class action litigation.

She appeared in many major patent infringement and validity cases, and also has experience in breach of confidence, trade mark, misleading and deceptive conduct, design matters and copyright matters. She was President of the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand from 2007 to 2009.

Helen was recognised in Chambers and Partner, Best Lawyers and Doyles Guide in the areas of Intellectual Property and Technology, Media and Telecommunications .

Helen was a founding member of Emmerson Chambers.