About

In terms of sport, rugby union is almost synonymous with New Zealand, whose national team boasts an almost unbelievable record in international competition. The All Blacks – as they are colloquially known – have an overall winning record against all their international opponents, and have occupied the top spot in the World Rugby Rankings longer than all other teams combined since they were established in 2003. As such, the organisation and growth of the sport is a matter of national pride, and New Zealand Rugby Union is the organisation tasked with this objective. In charge of the in-house legal team of this prestigious organisation, described as perhaps one of the most coveted roles in the New Zealand legal profession, is general counsel Keith Binnie. Binnie has led from the front for over a decade, and his tenure has seen the legal team successfully manage a number of projects, perhaps most notably New Zealand Rugby Union’s role in hosting the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011. The team is a compact but highly versatile and knowledgeable one, able to handle employment, regulatory and governance matters equally adeptly. It is in the area of IP, though, that the team is perhaps most impressive, given the strength of the All Blacks brand. Broadcasting revenue, ticket receipts, product licences and sponsorships all pull in large revenue figures to the coffers and allow the organisation to continue to grow and to pave the way for the next generation of talented rugby union players to continue the legacy of success that rugby in New Zealand represents.