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 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.”

Julie has over 25 years’ experience as a lawyer and patent attorney. During her career, Julie has represented a wide variety of clients including many well-known multinationals, particularly in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, as well as universities and New Zealand-based innovators.

Julie is a registered Patent Attorney and qualified lawyer with a honours degree in Chemistry. Julie is a well-respected Notary Public and Special Counsel at Zone Law. Julie is a member of the NZ Law Society, New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys, INTA, FICPI and AIPPI.

Earlier in her career, Julie served as President of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys and as a member of Australia’s Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys. She has consistently been recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading patent practitioners, having been recommended in a number of publications, including IAM’s World’s Leading Patent Practitioners.

“We are modern and innovative in our approach yet grounded in timeless values. Listening carefully to discover the nuances that make your ideas unique – that is how we ensure that you get the best ROI and scope for your patents.

Your brilliant ideas and your business goals are at the heart of a sound patent protection. There is a whole world out there, waiting for your innovation. Balancing this with the importance of protecting your ideas is my total focus.

As you discover new ways of serving your clients, we are here to help you protect and nurture your ideas so that you can confidently release them to the 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.

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 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.

Heather is a Lawyer in the Wellington office of Zone Law.

She joined the firm in a full-time capacity in 2017 after completing her LLB at Victoria University of Wellington. Heather works on all legal matters for the firm.

Heather grew up in the South Island of New Zealand working on her parent’s high-country station and helping with her family’s aviation tourism business.

In her spare time, Heather enjoys making the most of the restaurants and live music Wellington has to offer, and occasionally getting out of the city to explore the wider Wellington region.

Ed is a Law Clerk in the Wellington office of Zone Law. He joined the firm in 2021 after completing his LLB and BCom at Victoria University in 2020.

He assists the general practice team with all property/conveyancing and business matters. 

In his spare time, you will find Ed on the golf course or playing in one of Wellington’s social basketball leagues.

Celine is the trade mark paralegal at Zone. She works closely with Theodore in the trade marks team. She has a strong administrative background and has worked in the legal profession for the last 10 years. She manages the smooth running of the day to day trade mark matters.

In her spare time, Celine enjoys spending time with her family and going for walks and playing badminton and table tennis with friends.

Grace is our Patent Paralegal. She works closely with Julie Ballance in the patents team. In 2019, Grace completed her Bachelor of Commerce majoring in International Business and Commercial Law.

Grace really enjoyed learning about Intellectual Property during her degree and is excited to work in this area and develop her knowledge.

In her spare time, Grace enjoys bush walks, fishing and socialising with friends over dinner.

Lynne is a Paralegal at Zone. Lynne works with the trade mark team advising clients on post-registration matters including renewals and our watching services.

Lynne has an IP background, having previously worked in IP before having her children.

In her spare time she enjoys reading, walking her dog and spending time with family and friends.

Christine is the firm’s Accounts Administrator. She has a strong administrative background and manages the smooth running of the day to day matters of the firm.

In her spare time, Christine enjoys spending her time in the garden, reading and entertaining her grandchildren.

Steffanie is our Receptionist / Administrative Assistant.  She is the first point of contact when you visit the office and assists with accounts receivable, and the day-to-day running of the office. Steffanie works closely with Julie providing Notary administration.

Steffanie grew up in Tauranga and has a background in Administration and health & fitness. In her spare time Steffanie enjoys spending time with her dog, family & friends.

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.