Theodore is an intellectual property lawyer and former Assistant Commissioner of Patents, Trade Marks, and Designs at the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand. With a background in owning and running successful businesses, Theodore is a lawyer for Zone Law and a consultant for Zone IP, the sister IP consultancy.

His particular area of expertise is Trade Marks prosecution and disputes and he is a member of IPSANZ, ECTA, FICPI and INTA.

Jeremy is a lawyer and a Patent Attorney having run his own successful commercial practice for 12 years. He started his career in intellectual property law firms where he gained experience in trademark, licensing and franchise law. He then pursued his interest in commercial and property law advising a broad range of organisations in connection with governance, constitutional arrangements and has acted in connection with the establishment and sale of successful businesses. He brings a wealth of broad business law expertise to Zone Law. Since then he has expanded his interest in business, e-commerce, contract and commercial law. He advises high net worth individuals, business and charitable organisations in connection with not only intellectual property and commercial matters but also constitutional, trust and other structural arrangements together with compliance and governance obligations.

Jeremy’s experience is across an extensive range of intellectual property, commercial, business and charity law (including property, trusts, and alternative dispute resolution) with a particular interest in negotiating solutions to problems. Jeremy is also a member of NZIPA, IPSANZ and the NZLS Property Law section.

“At Zone Law we’re actually creating something unique because we can look for intellectual property solutions across a broader range of expertise, for example in the areas of marketing, contract, company, trust, copyright, employment and even property law. By this I mean that clients may come to us thinking that intellectual property is the issue, but our broad experience means we can identify opportunities and solutions in other areas of the law. The answer may in fact be in the Companies Act instead of the Trademarks Act, it might even be a commercial rather than a legal answer. It might be that a different business or organisational structure is the best way forward. We like to find practical solutions rather than simply looking at what the law can do for someone.  We get real satisfaction from our work assisting organisations, both business and charitable, to deal with an increasingly complex world.”

Karen is the Chief Operating Officer at Zone Law. Karen started her career in Australia working as Operations Manager for a large pharmaceutical company gaining strong marketing and operations experience in the Australian market. She has also worked in the New Zealand government and has spent the last 10 years working in the New Zealand charity sector helping to raise millions of dollars for local charities.

Karen is a member of the Auckland Rotary Club, BNI and the International Trademark Owners Association (INTA).

Karen’s focus at Zone Law is on overall operational direction of the firm.

Nicky is an experienced Trade Marks professional having qualified in South Africa and worked for 15 years at the largest IP firm in Africa. She qualified as a South African Attorney in 1998 and was drawn to the dynamic field of IP when she first worked at the South African IP Registry and then at a Music Rights organisation before her specialisation in Trade Marks commenced in 2008.

Nicky’s practice includes trade mark prosecution and portfolio management locally and internationally. She has considerable experience across a wide variety of industries and has represented high profile international clients in their trade mark matters.

Christopher joined the Wellington office of Zone Law as a lawyer in 2015.

After completing his LLB with honours at Victoria University Wellington in 2011, Chris worked at the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand as a Trade Mark Examiner. Chris excelled in his role and in 2014 received the highest mark in the national trade marks exam.

Chris works in the trade marks team as a senior lawyer, assisting with trade mark availability, infringement issues, copyright, passing off and the Fair Trading Act. Chris also assists with filing and prosecuting trade mark applications, managing trade mark oppositions and disputes and drafting intellectual property agreements.

Chris is passionate about IP law, and is keen to help clients achieve the best commercial outcomes in New Zealand and around the world.

In his spare time Chris enjoys, travelling, cooking and dining, playing games, and spending time with his friends, family and young daughter.

Christine graduated from the University of Waikato in 2005 and spent three years at the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office before going to Australia and working in boutique intellectual property firms. 

She attained her Australian Trade Mark Attorney qualification in 2011, gained experience in media litigation at a mid-sized Queensland firm and returned to New Zealand in 2017.

Christine enjoys needle arts, reading, and spending time with her children.

Sonia is a senior lawyer in our Auckland office. She graduated from AUT with both a bachelor’s degree in law and business (HR and employment relations). She has experience in property law (conveyancing and subdivisions) and commercial law and is also enjoying the broad range of IP matters at Zone Law.

Sonia grew up in Hamilton but is proud to call herself an Aucklander now. In her spare time, Sonia likes to travel and explore new places.  She has been working towards exploring all New Zealand (because New Zealand is a beautiful country with a lot to offer).

Rose is a lawyer in our Auckland office. She graduated from AUT with an LLB in 2021 and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand shortly thereafter.

Rose has background experience in the areas of Estate Administration, Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, the Waitangi Tribunal and Family and Criminal law. Rose is passionate about social justice issues and her professional background includes prior experience as a registrar in the Ministry of Justice. Rose loves spending time with family and heading to the beach in the warmer months.

Kylie is a senior paralegal assisting clients with filing, prosecuting, managing, and maintaining their IP rights. She has 17 years’ experience in intellectual property having worked for another IP firm both in their trade mark team, and their change management and training teams.

Kylie is a registered Australian Trade Marks Attorney and has a Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property, and a Legal Executive Diploma.

In her spare time, Kylie enjoys travelling and catching up on the latest mystery or thriller.

Fiona is a paralegal in the Patent and Trade Marks team helping clients with registering their patent and trade marks. Fiona has considerable experience having worked in IP over 14 years. Fiona has experience in all aspect of trade mark law, as well as trade mark portfolio management.

When Fiona is not at work, she finds joy in reading, cherishing family time, and enthusiastically supporting her kids at their sports events.

Deeviya is an Accounts and Firm Administrator at the Auckland office of Zone Law. She has a background in administration with a master’s degree in economics from South Africa. She manages the smooth running of the day-to-day matters of the firm.

Deeviya has a background in Indian classical dancing. She enjoys doing yoga, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.

Libby is our Wellington Office Administrator. She is assisting with accounts receivable, Notary administration and smooth day-to-day running of the office.

Libby has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Victoria University majoring in Criminology and English Literature.

In her spare time, Libby enjoys spending time with her dog at the beach and baking sweet treats.

Amanda is an intern at the Wellington office of Zone Law. Amanda is in the process of completing her LLB at Victoria University of Wellington conjoint with a major in Political Science and a minor in Criminology.

Amanda returns to the firm during her university breaks to assist with administrative matters and the day-to-day running of the office. 

In her spare time, Amanda enjoy cooking and exploring new eateries in Wellington with her friends.