The ‘commercial’ team at Russell McVeagh, praised for its ability to offer clients ’highly valued, strategic advice’, counts national corporations and local companies among its clients. The practice handles a wide range of IP mandates in the banking and financial services, media and manufacturing sectors. The team is led by ‘exceptional operator’ Joe Edwards, who specialises in brand protection, IP disputes and commercial IP transactions. Liz Blythe heads the technology team, advising on complex technology transactions, including the procurement, supply, development, manufacturing, outsourcing and commercialisation of technology. Special counsel Brigette Shone is noted for her ability to act for clients in a wide range of disputes before the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team are incredibly commercial and always provide highly valued, strategic advice that appropriately captures and addresses the concerns of our business. Their understanding of what we're trying to achieve and their overall level of pragmatism (which extends to billing, client service, file management etc) sets them apart from other legal service providers.’
‘Joe Edwards is an exceptional operator who consistently overdelivers on what is asked of him. He has become our go-to resource for contentious IP disputes and such is our level of trust in his advice (and knowledge of our business).'
Key clients
- Allen and Unwin New Zealand Limited
- Bremworth Limited
- Meridian Energy Limited
- Lion NZ
- Summerset
- QIC Private Capital
- Auckland International Airport Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for Allen & Unwin in defending injunctive proceedings where a book published by it is alleged to infringe the plaintiff's trade mark for "Mindful Food".
- Successfully acting for Bremworth (including High Court proceedings) against Pebblemill and an individual in relation to Pebblemill's use of Bremworth's confidential information.
- Advised QIC Private Capital on its acquisition of 50% of Vector Limited's New Zealand and Australian metering business.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Joe Edwards, Liz Blythe