Pearce IP Founder Naomi Pearce Ranked In Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer’s 2025 Elite Women

Pearce IP’s founder and CEO, Naomi Pearce, has been recognised one of 70 Elite Women in law in 2025 by Australasian Lawyer and New Zealand Lawyer.  This list honours the “70 top female lawyers who have built influence in areas where progress has been slower to take hold”. 

While representing 63% of the legal profession in Australia and 68% in New Zealand, women remain underrepresented in its most senior ranks, with only 34% reaching partnership level.  

Naomi has spent her career changing that story.   

Since 2017, Naomi has built and led Australia and New Zealand’s leading specialist intellectual property law firm.  Pearce IP, consistently ranked in every notable legal IP directory, is a reflection of Naomi’s commitment to excellence, her passion for doing things better, and her visionary leadership. 

The Elite Women list, honours women in law who: 

• balance “strong legal ability with empathetic and ethical leadership”;  

• combine “legal expertise with emotional intelligence, cultural competence and a commitment to service through mentoring and pro bono work”; 

• succeed “in spaces that weren’t built with them in mind and still finding ways to thrive, influence and reshape the profession”;   

• adapt “to change with resilience, creativity and openness to new ideas”; 

• lead “by example through visibility and managing people well”; and  

• raise “the profile of women lawyers and creating opportunities for others.”  

Pearce IP’s Deputy CEO and Head of People Adele Chadwick says: 

Naomi is not only an outstanding lawyer, she is a visionary leader, driven to achieve successes others only dream of.  The Executive team at Pearce IP are committed to furthering Naomi’s vision for Pearce IP, and we are all so incredibly proud of her achievements.

 

As other firms across Australasia continue to grapple with gender equity gaps, Pearce IP stands as evidence that inclusion and commercial excellence are not mutually exclusive — they are, in fact, inseparable.

About Pearce IP

Pearce IP is a specialist, life-sciences focussed, intellectual property/law firm offering lawyers and attorneys in Australia and New Zealand.

In 2025, Pearce IP was honoured by Australasian Lawyer and New Zealand Lawyer as a Top Specialist Firm, 5 Star Employer of Choice, and the “Standout Winner” for Inclusion and Culture (<100 employees).  Pearce IP and its leaders are ranked in every notable legal directory including: Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, IAM Patent 1000, IAM Strategy 300, MIP IP Stars, Doyles Guide, WTR 1000, Best Lawyers, WIPR Leaders, Best Law Firms, among others.

Pearce IP is the only leading IP firm in Australia and New Zealand with a female founder, and is certified by WEConnect International as women owned.