CREATEIP - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Legal Executive / Christchurch

Amanda is our all-singing, all-dancing team member, providing the soundtrack to the Christchurch office. She joined CreateIP in 2012, bringing with her a wealth of experience as a legal executive and personal assistant at various Christchurch firms, including a stint working for a large IP firm. Amanda provides assistance to both Shayne and Rachel's practices with a growing focus on trade mark work. Amanda is also responsible for renewals. Qualifications and Memberships

Job Titles:

• Legal Executive / Christchurch
• Member of the New Zealand Institute

Amy was the first scholarship recipient in what eventually became the ‘Launchpad' programme, enabling her to both work in a legal office and begin studying towards her New Zealand Law Society Legal Executives Certificate at Christchurch Polytechnic. Since qualifying in 2003, Amy has worked for several top Christchurch law firms in various areas of law. However, since joining CreateIP in 2011, Amy has seen the light and realises that IP is ‘where it is at'. Besides offering support to Robert with patents and registered design matters, Amy runs the practice and keeps the partners in line. Qualifications and Memberships Amy is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives (NZILE).

Job Titles:

• Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys
• Partner - Registered Patent Attorney / Auckland

Shayne is the composed, (very) clever one at CreateIP. On leaving university with a PhD in Chemistry, Shayne started his IP career with a large and recognised IP firm in Auckland where he specialised in chemical, formulation and process technologies. While working in Auckland, and not content with a PhD, Shayne then completed his Post-Graduate Certificate in Law (Intellectual Property) from Auckland University. Keen for new experiences, Shayne joined CreateIP in 2012, which gave him an opportunity to achieve a more personal connection with clients. As a registered Patent Attorney in both New Zealand and Australia, Shayne helps clients protect their IP here and across the ditch. You will find Shayne skillfully using the tools of the trade such as drafting patents, prosecuting the same at an international level and/or providing an analysis of competitors' patents to ensure his clients have freedom to operate in their markets of interest. Qualifications and Memberships Shayne is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys, Fellow of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia, an affiliate member of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) and New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST), formerly serving on the NZIFST Journal Editorial Committee.

Job Titles:

• Member of the International Trademarks Association
• Partner - Barrister and Solicitor / Auckland

Having trained as a barrister in England, back in 1999 Rachel won a bet with a friend and moved to New Zealand, joining the litigation team of a top commercial law firm. She brings 15 years of experience in brand development, management and risk strategies, anti-counterfeiting and border protection measures, compliance, commercialization, and enforcement, having worked with various sectors from publishing, fashion and entertainment to automotive, pharmaceutical and FMCG industries. In 2017, Rachel was welcomed as a trade mark specialist to the World Intellectual Property Review's WIPR Leaders club - where 1700 individuals worldwide are recognised by their peers as the best and the brightest in IP private practice. Qualifications and Memberships Rachel is a member of the International Trademarks Association (INTA), is a member of, and sits on the New Zealand committee for, the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ) and is also a member of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.

Job Titles:

• Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys
• Partner - Registered Patent Attorney

A patent specialist with an emphasis on mechanics and engineering, Robert is known for his no nonsense IP advice and fresh, energetic approach. Having obtained his Bachelors degree in Chemical and Process Engineering he started his professional career as an engineer working for one of the old ‘Think Big' petrochemical plants. He later completed a Masters degree in Engineering Management (MEM), moving into technical management roles in the concrete, nutraceuticals and wine industries. In 2001, Robert turned his focus to intellectual property law and joined a recognised IP specialist firm, where he qualified as a registered patent attorney and quickly progressed to become a partner in the firm. He left that firm in 2009 to establish CreateIP and has subsequently gone from strength to strength. ‘Managing Intellectual Property' magazine says that Robert is an IP Rising Star and CreateIP is receiving increasing peer recognition. Robert is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys, Fellow of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia, member of the Royal Society, member of the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce and member of Export New Zealand. He is also an Adjunct Fellow and guest lecturer on the University of Canterbury MEM programme. And, if that wasn't enough, he is a member of the so-called ‘Assassins Club', having represented New Zealand at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998.