AJ Park’s team is comprised of a range of IP specialists, including in patent, trade mark, copyright, trade secrets, and dispute resolution matters. The firm is also experienced in matters concerning geographical indications and protected designations. The team is led by Thomas Huthwaite, a dispute resolution specialist appointed to the role in April 2024, and Sean Brogan. Helen Bellchambers is a patent attorney specialising in pharmaceutical and plant biotechnology inventions. Natalie Harre is a noted litigation expert with experience in trade mark prosecutions and portfolio management. Penny Catley and Anton Blijlevens are further names of note within the team. Paul Johns left the practice in March 2023.

Chapman Tripp maintains a strong patent focus, both contentious and non-contentious, and it also boasts expertise in brand protection at the international level. The firm’s clients include a range of international corporations from across a variety of industries, including software producers, media companies, and consumer goods providers. Matt Sumpter oversees the practice, advising on patent applications and copyright protection. KellyMcFadzien is a key name, with experience in the Chinese market, and Justin Graham is an expert litigator. Ben Halberg assists clients with their patent applications, while Tom Cleary focuses on contentious patent matters.

Providing an ‘outstanding IP capability’, Simpson Grierson covers the gamut of IP matters, from litigation to strategy and licensing. The firm regularly hands appellate cases for major corporations, and tt possesses particular expertise in the sports sector. The ‘highly commercial’ Richard Watts, an expert in trade mark, copyright, and patent law, leads the team alongside Sarah Chapman, who specialises in trade mark portfolio management. Anita Birkinshaw focuses on IP litigation, while Raymond Scott advises clients on trade mark prosecution across Australasia.

Buddle Findlay advises a wide range of clients, from public authorities to multinational corporations, on IP matters, with particular experience in trade mark portfolio management. The firm is also seasoned in copyright assistance, including infringement, licensing, and customs notices. Hamish Selby leads the team alongside Sophie Thoreau, who focuses on brand protection, geographical indications, and disputes. Sherridan Cook further strengthens the firm’s litigation skills. John Glengarry has stepped back to a consultancy position.

Dentons New Zealand maintains a strong contentious IP focus, assisting with brand protection and trade mark application oppositions, as well as trade mark prosecution. The firm advises many blue-chip companies from the sports, technology, food and beverage, automobile, and luxury goods sectors. Jenni Rutter, who specialises in enforcement and litigation matters, is the firm’s practice head. Andrew Baker advises on patents, designs, and confidential information, while Nadia Ormiston is experienced in trade mark and copyright issues. In June 2023, Charlotte Henley left the practice.

Hudson Gavin Martin is well-equipped to advise its clients on structures and commercial agreements intended to protect its IP assets from third-party exploitation. The firm is also well-versed in acting on IP litigation when necessary. Jason Rudkin-Binks spearheads the practice, specialising in brand strategy, protection, and commercialisation. Tim Mahood brings litigation expertise to the team, whilst Caitlin Hadlee focuses on copyright infringement. Edwin Lim furthers strengthens the IP commercialisation expertise. Simon Martin is another name of note.

Providing an ‘excellent’ service, the team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts provides a broad range of advice, including on strategy, commercialisation, transactions, and dispute resolution. In particular, the firm has expertise in trade mark matters, seeing large growth in trade mark filings work over the past year. The team is led by Christopher Young, an expert in IP aspects of corporate transactions and structuring. Within the team, Richard Wells advises on licensing and commercialisation, whilst John McCay supports technology and media clients with their IP matters.

Russell McVeagh boasts strength in IP litigation as well as commercial deals, advising on injunction applications for breach of trade mark, breach of confidentiality claims and the IP aspects of corporate transactions. The firm is regularly instructed by companies in the telecoms, banking, manufacturing, media, and sports industries. The team is led by Joe Edwards, a brand protection specialist, and Liz Blythe, who advises on M&A transactions and partnerships. Brigette Shone is noted within the team for her work as an IP litigator.

Anthony Harper advises clients on matters across the entire spectrum of IP work, including on trade marks, transactions, commercialisation, and disputes. The firm is particularly active in trade mark protection and portfolio management matters. The team is led by Auckland-based Mark Gavin, who is experienced in a wide range of contentious and non-contentious IP work, having appeared before the Intellectual Property Office and the High Court.

Assisting major international corporations, Bell Gully advises on the IP aspects of product developments, including brand clearance, regulatory compliance, and promotion matters. The firm also advises its clients on transaction and litigation matters. The team is led by Tania Goatley, who advises on copyright, trade mark infringement, and patent litigation issues. Jessica Miles is a noted team member, focusing on brand development strategies, whike Kristin Wilson strengthens the team’s IP litigation expertise.

With a strength in trade mark matters, Duncan Cotterill advises on trade mark portfolio management, applications, and enforcement. More broadly, the firm assists clients with IP commercialisation, copyright matters, and the IP aspects of M&A transactions. Michael Moyes spearheads the practice, focusing on the technology, retail, and consumer goods industries. Within the team, Katy Stove advises clients on trade marks, copyright, and marketing matters.

Henry Hughes IP specialises in all aspects of IP law, with notable strength in trade marks and patents. The firm is well-versed in providing trade mark protection and application assistance, as well as advising on copyright issues. The team is led out of Wellington by David Moore, Elena Szentiványi, and David Nowak. Moore focuses on trade mark portfolio management, Szentiványi specialises in trade mark and domain name issues, and Nowak handles patent law matters. Within the team, Jesse Strafford bolsters the firm’s patent expertise.

With a growing number of clients instructing it, Ironside McDonald Intellectual Property supports technology and telecoms companies, game developers, property companies, and food and beverage producers. The firm advises on trade mark portfolio management, trade mark protection, and IP commercialisation. The practice is overseen by Sue Ironside and Rachel McDonald, who both focus on trade mark and branding matters. Solanda Chen specialises in IP protection. Ingrid Niemann is another notable member of the practice.

Offering ‘fast, accurate and on-point advice’, Tompkins Wake advises clients on trade mark portfolio, copyright, patent, and commercial matters. Its industry expertise is wide-ranging, including technology, construction, agribusiness, property, and luxury goods. Shelley Slade-Gully leads the team, managing trade mark portfolios and advising on cross-border IP strategies.  Within the department, Joseph Bracewell is well-versed in IP matters within software and gaming industries.