Kiwi IP leaders recognised in IAM Patent 1000

Kiwi IP leaders recognised for world-class patent, strategy and litigation expertise

Continuing to make waves in the industry, James & Wells partners Ian Finch, Kate Wilson and Gus Hazel have been named on the intellectual property industry’s most illustrious list, the Intellectual Asset Management’s IAM Patent 1000.

Ian received a gold ranking for patent litigation and transactions, with Kate recommended for patent prosecution and Gus for patent litigation and transactions.

Ian was the sole top-tier ranked individual for patent litigation, out ranking not only practitioners from specialist intellectual property firms, but also from general law practices with IP divisions in New Zealand.

Of his achievement, judges noted Ian is an “erudite professional who edits New Zealand’s leading IP law text; when on a case, he is a “polished presenter”.

It has been a stand out year for managing partner Kate, who was also named on Intellectual Asset Management’s IAM Strategy 300, a global listing that recognises the leading IP strategists whose business is the creation, development and deployment of strategies that enable IP owners to gain maximum value from their portfolios.

Kate first appeared on the list back in 2010, and remains the only New Zealander to have been consecutively listed for the past five years – a unique achievement for the Hamilton-based patent attorney.

Of her IAM 1000 ranking, judges commented that “practice head Kate Wilson is passionate about developing the IP portfolios of domestic businesses, which respect her “true ingenuity” and strategic nous.”

Gus Hazel, head of the Auckland litigation division, was recently one of three New Zealand licensing lawyers ranked on Asia IP’s ’50 Licensing Lawyers you should know’ listing.

IAM 1000 researchers stated he dazzles with his “astute argumentation and technical savvy” and provides “sound, practical transactional advice”.

James & Wells’ patent practice received a highly recommended ranking for prosecution, litigation and transactions.

Judges noted that “Other firms do not fully understand the interplay between legal and commercial considerations when advising on intellectual property in the way that James & Wells does.”

“The firm is one of the country’s premier destinations for freedom to operate searches, patent drafting, prosecution and strategic advice.”

James & Wells’ Asia Division was also recognised by researchers, commenting that “with Mandarin-speaking practitioners on staff, it can protect local Kiwi innovations in China better than most.”

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