Specialist intellectual property firm AJ Park counts international agents, government institutions, and multinational and major listed companies among its roster of clients. With offices in Auckland and Wellington, the practice is well positioned to advise clients on the gamut of IP matters, including trade marks, designs, copyright, strategy and commercialisation, renewals and litigation. Auckland-based partner Amanda Griffiths heads the trade marks practice, where she is routinely engaged by individuals and companies of all sizes across a range of industries, notably in the FMCG sector. Litigation group leader Paul Johns is noted for his experience in the courts and in IP office hearings, while Anton Blijlevens is a key port of call for clients seeking to protect and commercialise their innovations. In the Wellington office, Michael Brown leads the engineering and IT patent group, and Duncan De Geest heads the chemical biology practice, specialising in patent law. Other notable individuals include Penny Catley and Jonathan Aumonier-Ward.

Chapman Tripp fields an ‘extremely capable’ team, praised for its ‘strong, agile and innovative representation’ on the full spectrum of contentious IP matters. With a diverse roster of blue-chip clients on its books, the practice is noted for its brand protection expertise and IP commercialisation work. The practice is steered by ‘leading lawyer’ Matt Sumpter, who is an expert in trade practice law and IP, where he is routinely instructed by multinationals and New Zealand’s leading companies on complex and significant matters. Justin Graham is recommended for his experience in defamation, privacy, patent, copyright and trade mark litigation, while ‘talented’ senior associate Tom Cleary is noted for his expertise in assisting clients in IP, media, privacy and consumer protection disputes. Patents director Ben Halberg regularly advises on patentability, patent procurement, freedom-to-operate, and infringement and invalidity proceedings worldwide in all areas of engineering.

Well regarded for its ability to combine ‘deep legal expertise’ with ‘commercial acumen and approachability’, specialist TMT and IP firm Hudson Gavin Martin acts for clients on the full range of IP matters, with a particular focus on trade marks and brands. The team, praised for its ‘collaborative approach’, counts start-ups, large New Zealand-based companies and multinational corporations among its client roster. The ‘outstanding’ Jason Rudkin-Binks is well placed to act on the gamut of IP matters and has been lauded for his ‘timely, thoughtful and strategic advice’. Both Tim Mahood and Simon Martin are noted for their focus on the tech, media and IP sectors. Associate Caitlin Hadlee has particular expertise in news media and copyright issues relevant to the film and music industries.

Praised for its ‘deep knowledge of IP law and very commercial focus’, the team at Simpson Grierson possesses capabilities across the gamut of IP matters. The practice operates in a myriad of sectors, including sport, agriculture and life sciences, handling a range of non-contentious and licensing matters, IP commercialisation and litigation. The team is jointly led by Auckland-based practitioners Richard Watts and Sarah Chapman. The ‘outstanding’ Watts is a key port of call to some of the world’s leading companies, while Chapman specialises in non-contentious trade mark law, providing strategic advice on trade mark portfolio management, registrability, infringement and licensing. Key contact Anita Birkinshaw is noted for her expertise in the trade marks area. Associate Raymond Scott is also noted.

Lauded for its ‘excellent knowledge’ and ‘pragmatic’ approach, Dentons New Zealand leverages its extensive global network to advise clients on the full suite of IP matters, encompassing a broad mix of contentious and commercial matters. The practice is steered by the ‘technically excellent’ Jenni Rutter, who is an expert in the commercialisation of IP and brand development for established businesses and start-ups. Key contact Andrew Baker acts for clients across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on agribusiness and healthcare, while senior associate Nadia Ormiston is recommended for her experience in all aspects of trade marks and designs. Charlotte Henley  left the firm in August 2023.

Drawing considerable praise from clients for its ability to marry its ‘tactical knowledge’ with a ‘proactive and pragmatic’ approach, the team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts acts for clients on the gamut of IP matters, from trade mark registration and portfolio management to IP litigation. Leading the practice is the ‘very knowledgeable’ Christopher Young, whose IP expertise ensures that the team is sought out by numerous well-established corporates. Richard Wells regularly advises clients on issues in the commercialisation of new technology and the licensing of IP, and John McCay is noted for his focus on the TMT sector.

The ‘commercial’ team at Russell McVeagh, praised for its ability to offer clients ‘highly valued, strategic advice’, counts national corporations and local companies among its clients. The practice handles a wide range of IP mandates in the banking and financial services, media and manufacturing sectors. The team is led by ‘exceptional operator’ Joe Edwards, who specialises in brand protection, IP disputes and commercial IP transactions. Liz Blythe heads the technology team, advising on complex technology transactions, including the procurement, supply, development, manufacturing, outsourcing and commercialisation of technology. Special counsel Brigette Shone is noted for her ability to act for clients in a wide range of disputes before the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Noted for its ‘very extensive and broad expertise across the IP field’, Anthony Harper acts for clients on a wide range of mandates across the food and beverage, manufacturing and retail sectors. Leveraging the expertise of the firm’s corporate and litigation teams, the practice handles trade mark protection and copyright issues, portfolio development and management, and anti-counterfeiting mandates. Mark Gavin, highlighted as at the ‘top of his field’, leads the practice and routinely advises on copyright, trade marks, brand protection, design and confidential information disputes.

‘Responsive, professional and empathetic’, the team at Bell Gully is well positioned to assist in both contentious and non-contentious IP matters across the food and beverage, manufacturing and consumer goods sectors. The team earns further praise for its ‘impeccable’ attention to detail and ‘top-notch’ legal expertise. The practice is steered by Tania Goatley, who regularly assists clients with all aspects of IP law, including copyright, trade mark infringement, passing off and comparative advertising issues. ‘Highly experienced’ associate Jessica Miles specialises in all aspects of trade mark and IP law, and is noted for her ‘attention to detail and ability to communicate effectively with clients'.

Duncan Cotterill has a robust IP offering, noted for its expertise in trade mark portfolio management and IP protection matters. The team acts for a diverse portfolio of clients, ranging from public sector entities, start-ups and retail companies to food brands and not-for-profit organisations. The practice is now steered by Michael Moyes following the departure of former joint practice head Scott Moran in April 2024. Auckland-based practitioner Moyes is recommended for his focus on the commercial aspects of IP-related transactions, where he is routinely engaged by clients in the technology, retail and consumer goods sectors. Associate Katy Stove advises clients on a range of contentious and non-contentious IP issues.

‘Commercial, practical, knowledgeable and personable’, Ironside McDonald Intellectual Property‘s Auckland-based boutique practice, founded by partners Sue Irwin Ironside and Rachel McDonald, is praised for its ‘big-firm expertise’ across the gamut of IP matters. Ironside regularly assists clients with all aspects of trade marks and branding, while McDonald has a wealth of knowledge in trade marks and a range of other IP matters. Other key members of the team include associates Ingrid Seegers, a trade marks attorney, and Solanda Chen, who is noted for her strong network of clients in China.

Tompkins Wake houses a ‘great IP practice that delivers results’, noted for its ability to assist clients on a range of matters, including managing trade mark portfolios, litigation, IP due diligence, and design and copyright mandates. The practice is spearheaded by Shelley Slade-Gully, who specialises in trade mark law, with expertise in multi-jurisdictional portfolio management and cross-border IP strategies. Associate Joseph Bracewell, praised for his ‘great technical’ ability, specialises in trade marks, copyright, IP licensing and other commercial aspects of IP.