Leading IP Litigator Paul Johns joins Pearce IP signalling further growth in New Zealand

We are delighted to welcome Paul Johns as Executive Lawyer and Head of Litigation (New Zealand).  Paul joins Pearce IP from AJ Park (formerly Baldwins), where he led the Litigation and Commercial Practice Group for (a cumulative) 9 years.

Paul is an intellectual property dispute resolution specialist with more than 24 years of experience across New Zealand and the UK. Paul is a seasoned lawyer, IP strategist, and is experienced in managing contentious disputes regarding all types of intellectual property and related issues, including patents, copyright, trade marks, designs, confidential information and consumer law. With a background in molecular genetics, Paul acts for clients across a vast range of industries.  Paul is well known for his thoughtful and strategic approach to dispute resolution and is ranked in virtually every notable legal/IP directory.

Pearce IP’s Founder and CEO, Naomi Pearce, says:

“In October 2023, Pearce IP quietly entered the New Zealand market, hiring a number of lawyers and attorneys.  I am absolutely delighted that Paul has joined Pearce IP, and am excited to work with him at an Executive level to build out our New Zealand based legal capacity both in Wellington, Auckland and elsewhere.  Paul’s commencement represents a megaphone to the New Zealand IP community that Pearce IP is realising its 2027 Vision to be the premier life sciences IP practice in Australia and New Zealand.”

Paul Johns says:

“I’m very excited to join Pearce IP.  The growth of Pearce IP in Australia over 7 years has been very impressive, and I am looking forward to replicating such exponential growth in New Zealand, where Pearce IP has already established a strong presence and following over the past six months. Pearce IP’s strong life-sciences focus is unique in Australia and New Zealand, and it is great to be working with other IP professionals who are as passionate as I am about this field.”

Paul’s commencement follows that of Special Counsel Julie Ballance (also formerly of Baldwins) in October 2023 and is the 5^th NZ registered/based team member to join Pearce IP since January.

About Pearce IP

Pearce IP is a boutique firm offering intellectual property specialist lawyers, patent attorneys and trade mark attorneys to the life sciences industries (in particular, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biotech, ag-tech and food tech).  Pearce IP is recognised by MIP as the only leading regional IP firm with a female founder, and is certified by WEConnect International as women owned.  Pearce IP is the 2021 Intellectual Property Team of the Year (Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards) and was shortlisted for the same award in 2022. Pearce IP is ranked in Chambers & Partners, IAM Patent 1000 and Managing IP (MIP) IP Stars, in Australasian Lawyer 5 Star Awards as a 5 Star firm, and the Legal 500 APAC Guide for Intellectual Property.

Our leaders have been recognised in virtually every notable IP listing for their legal, patent and trade mark excellence including: Chambers & Partners, IAM Patent 1000, MIP IP Stars, Doyle’s Guide, WIPR Leaders, 5 Star IP Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and Australasian Lawyer 5 Star Awards, and have been honoured with many awards including Australian Law Awards – IP Partner of the Year, Women in Law Awards – Partner of the Year, Women in Business Law Awards – Patent Lawyer of the Year (Asia Pacific), Most Influential Lawyers (Changemaker), among other awards.