I head MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ intellectual property (IP) team in New Zealand. I have significant experience in all aspects of IP, and am recognised for IP and brand strategy, IP commercialisation, licensing, the IP aspects of M&A and other commercial transactions, IP disputes, enforcement and brand strategy and managing trade mark portfolios both nationally and internationally. This is coupled with extensive experience in commercial law, franchising, sponsorship, film and media, marketing, advertising, consumer protection and other regulatory areas including pharma and medical devices.

I advise clients in a broad range of industries including FMCG, fashion/apparel, publishing, food and beverage, liquor, advertising and marketing, retail, TMT, aviation, automotive, banking and financial services, entertainment, film, media, agriculture/horticulture, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, building, forestry, education, health and ageing, transportation and energy.

I have extensive international networks including through the International Bar Association and the International Trademark Association (INTA) and currently am a co-chair of INTA’s Bulletin Committee Asia Pacific.

Career highlights

• Local IP and trade mark strategy – IP advisory work and the worldwide strategy for a wide range of large New Zealand based companies including SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (a major New Zealand group and publicly listed company operating casinos, food and beverage and entertainment facilities in New Zealand and Australia), TAB (horse racing and sport betting and entertainment) Westpac and Kiwibank (leading New Zealand banks), and Tourism Holdings Limited a large New Zealand tourism based business.
• Handling the IP aspects of numerous M&A and other corporate transactions – including acting for numerous multinationals buying local companies and for local businesses selling. Examples include acting for SC Johnson on its acquisition of a local NZ IP based business / product that was then rolled out internationally by SC Johnson under its Raid brand, Lloyd’s Bank on its sale of the National Bank to ANZ including negotiating the long term licence to the ANZ of the famous Lloyd’s Bank “black horse” trade mark, Froneri on its acquisition of the major New Zealand FMCG brand business Tip Top and negotiating the long term licence to Froneri of the well-known KAPITI ice cream brand as part of the purchase, and LIC on its sale of part of its business to MSD Animal Health (a division of Merck & Co, Inc).
• Portfolio management, and local and international trade mark registration and enforcement – Advising numerous well known international brands in relation to local IP strategy and trade mark registration including ASOS, Birkenstock, Univar, Sorbent, Tena, Havells, The Saul Zaentz Company, Scholastic Inc, Essity Hygiene and Health AB, Asaleo Care and BSN Medical GmbH.
• Advising numerous local export businesses in a range of sectors on their international IP and brand strategy, licensing, enforcement, counterfeit strategies and portfolio management internationally – Including local apparel businesses such as Icebreaker, Zambesi and iLabb, and premium businesses such as peanut butter manufacturer PIC’s, natural lipstick manufacturer, Karen Murrell Enterprises, Trinity Hill wines, Pollen Group furniture and lighting design and manufacture.
• Film and television – Advising a wide range of major US and international studios on their film and television production in New Zealand including in relation to IP, structural, licensing and grant requirements

Awards and recognition

• Ranked as a leading Intellectual Property lawyer, Chambers Asia Pacific
• Recognised in the Hall of Fame as an Intellectual Property lawyer, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
• Ranked in IP Stars
• Winner – Client Choice Award Intellectual Property: Trademarks, New Zealand, Lexology
• Recognised Individual – Transactions, and Prosecution and Strategy, World Trademark Review (WTR1000)
• Winner – Most Influential IP Lawyer – New Zealand, Acquisition International Global Excellence Awards
• Trademarks Law firm of the Year and Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year – Global Law Experts Awards
• Trademarks Law Firm of the Year in New Zealand – Legal 100 Asia Awards
• Recognised as Most Influential IP lawyer, Corporate America Today

Affiliations

• Member, International Bar Association (IP and Entertainment Committee) 2017-2022
• Member International Trademark Association (INTA) 2000 -2022
• Co-Chair, INTA Asia-Pacific Bulletin sub-committee 2019-2023
• INTA Parallel Imports Committee and Internet Committee 2016-2019
• Chair, INTA East Asia & Pacific Famous Marks Subcommittee 2014-2015
• INTA Asia Pacific Global Advisory Council 2014-2019
• Member, International Bar Association (IP and Entertainment Committee) (2017-2022)
• Member, Licensing Executives Society of Australia and New Zealand
• Member, Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand
• Member, American Chamber of Commerce New Zealand
• Member, New Zealand Biotech Industry Organisation
• Director, Pharmaco New Zealand Limited and Pharmaco Australia Pty Limited

• International Bar Association