​Paul Johns

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 Head of Pearce IP’s litigation team in New Zealand.  Paul is recommended for litigation in the IAM Patent 1000, rated bronze for enforcement and litigation in the WTR1000, ranked Band 4 for Intellectual Property Asia-Pacific in Chambers, and recognised for Intellectual Property and Litigation in Best Lawyers.

He 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 has acted for clients across a vast range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, animal health, med-tech, food & beverage technologies, heavy vehicle engineering, fashion, hospitality, and entertainment.

Paul also has extensive experience with assisting clients in relation to a wide range of issues including food standards and other regulatory compliance (such as Food Standards Code Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), labelling, and packaging requirements).

Paul is recognised for his thoughtful and strategic approach to dispute resolution, using his legal and technological know-how to achieve commercially beneficial results for his clients. Paul has advocated for his clients in the New Zealand Court of Appeal and High Court of New Zealand, as well as before the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office and IP Australia. He has conducted UDRP and similar domain name disputes before various arbitral panels. Paul also has experience in effectively involving competition watchdogs and other regulators where appropriate.

Paul is a member of New Zealand’s Copyright Tribunal. He also belongs to the International Bar Association and the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand and is an Associate Member of New Zealand Intellectual Property Attorneys Inc.