The 2026 listing of leading New Zealand Intellectual Property Lawyers details solicitors practising in both of contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law matters in the New Zealand legal market who have been identified by clients and peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.
The 2026 rankings of leading Intellectual Property lawyers in New Zealand, identified by fellow New Zealand Intellectual Property & TMT Lawyers. Compiled via our independent, peer-review methodology — rankings cannot be purchased.
Previous editions
2020 edition published May 2020
Preeminent
Matt Adams, AJ Park - Wellington
Ian Finch, James & Wells - Hamilton
Alan Potter, Potter IP - Auckland
Alan Ringwood, Bell Gully - Auckland
Richard Watts, Simpson Grierson - Auckland
Leading
Colleen Cavanagh, AJ Park - Auckland
Mark Gavin, Anthony Harper - Auckland
John Glengarry, Buddle Findlay - Auckland
Narly Kalapuhana, Potter IP - Auckland
Tim Mahood, Hudson Gavin Martin - Auckland
Jason Rudkin-Binks, Hudson Gavin Martin
Matt Sumpter, Chapman Tripp - Auckland
Paul Sumpter, Chapman Tripp - Auckland
Lynell Tuffery Huria, AJ Park - Wellington
Recommended
Julie Ballance, In-Legal - Wellington
Anton Bijlevins, AJ Park - Auckland
Allan Bowie, Bowie Yorke - Auckland
Penny Catley, Baldwins - Wellington
Rachel Colley, Create IP - Auckland
Theodore Doucas, Zone Law - Auckland
Kate Duckworth, Catalyst IP - Wellington
Claire Foggo, Potter IP - Auckland
Tania Goatley, Bell Gully - Auckland
Mark Hargreaves, AJ Park - Wellington
Matthew Hayes, AJ Park - Wellington
Gus Hazell, James & Wells - Auckland
Wes Jones, Baldwins - Auckland
Simon Martin, Hudson Gavin Martin - Auckland
Jenni Rutter, Dentons - Auckland
Scott Yorke, Bowie Yorke - Auckland
2018 edition published June 2018
Preeminent
Earl Gray, Simpson Grierson - Auckland
Alan Potter, Potter IP - Auckland
Richard Watts, Simpson Grierson - Auckland
Leading
Matt Adams, AJ Park - Wellington
Anton Bijlevins, AJ Park - Auckland
Ian Finch, James & Wells - Hamilton
Mark Gavin, Anthony Harper - Auckland
John Glengarry, Buddle Findlay - Auckland
Matt Sumpter, Chapman Tripp - Auckland
Recommended
Julie Ballance, In-Legal - Wellington
Penny Catley, Baldwins - Wellington
Rachel Colley, Create IP - Auckland
Kate Duckworth, Catalyst IP - Wellington
Ian Gault, Bell Gully - Auckland
John Hackett, AJ Park - Auckland
Mark Hargreaves, AJ Park - Wellington
Gus Hazell, James & Wells - Auckland
Charlotte Henley, Kensington Swan - Wellington
Tim Jackson, Baldwins - Auckland
Narly Kalapuhana, Potter IP - Auckland
Wes Jones, Baldwins - Auckland
Greg Lynch, Catalyst IP - Wellington
Tim Mahood, Hudson Gavin Martin - Auckland
Simon Martin, Hudson Gavin Martin - Auckland
Kim McLeod, AJ Park - Auckland
Kate McHaffie, AJ Park - Wellington
Alan Ringwood, Bell Gully - Auckland
Jenni Rutter, Kensington Swan - Auckland
Rick Shera, Lowndes Jordan - Auckland
Ceri Wells, James & Wells - Hamilton
Dan Winfield, Duncan Cotterill - Wellington
2016 edition published March 2016
Preeminent
Mark Gavin, Hudson Gavin Martin - Auckland
Earl Gray, Simpson Grierson - Auckland
Leading
Matt Adams, AJ Park - Wellington
John Glengarry, Buddle Findlay - Auckland
John Hackett, AJ Park - Auckland
Kate McHaffie, AJ Park - Wellington
Kim McLeod, AJ Park - Auckland
Alan Potter, Potter IP - Auckland
Paul Sumpter, Chapman Tripp - Auckland
Richard Watts, Simpson Grierson - Auckland
Recommended
Anton Bijlevins, AJ Park - Auckland
Damian Broadley, AJ Park - Wellington
Penny Catley, Baldwins - Wellington
Colleen Cavanagh, AJ Park - Auckland
Kate Duckworth, Catalyst IP - Wellington
Ian Finch, James & Wells - Hamilton
Gus Hazell, James & Wells - Auckland
Charlotte Henley, Kensington Swan - Wellington
Tim Jackson, Baldwins - Auckland
Wes Jones, Baldwins - Auckland
Greg Lynch, Catalyst IP - Wellington
Simon Martin, Hudson Gavin Martin
Jenni Rutter, Kensington Swan - Auckland
Rick Shera, Lowndes Jordan - Auckland
Matt Sumpter, Chapman Tripp - Auckland