ET INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Wellington
Brian joins us from the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand, where he was a Senior Patent Examiner.
In his time as a patent examiner, Brian gained extensive experience and practical skills in prior art searching, patent analysis and the application of patent law. He was also involved in the development of internal practice guidelines, in particular on the patentability of computer programs in New Zealand.
Job Titles:
- Adviser
- Adviser / Auckland
Catherine has completed both a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science at The University of Waikato and is a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Her summer project focused on designing and performing an experiment to create a recombinant protein with the expression of the glutamate dehydrogenase gene.
She comes from a heavily legal focused background working for the largest law firms in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Catherine has been working in the legal industry since 2019 with specific focus in the fields of government, environment, litigation and employment. She has experience assisting in licensing, litigation and legal research.
Catherine's legal knowledge and qualifications in combination with her science degree enable her to provide specialized patent and trademark advice whilst also having an understanding of the client's background and invention.
Catherine currently holds an internationally recognized diploma in French language (Diplôme d'études en langue française) and is currently learning New Zealand Sign Language.
Charlotte joined Ellis Terry in 2016 having started her patent and design career in one of New Zealand's largest Intellectual Property firms in 2007.
Charlotte works with local and international clients to manage patent and design applications, prosecution, and formalities and provides litigation support to the Ellis Terry attorneys. She is particularly experienced in managing the portfolios of large corporate clients with matters spanning multiple jurisdictions and ensuring compliance with any client-specified procedures.
Job Titles:
- Patent Attorney
- Patent Attorney / Wellington
Conor completed his doctorate in Physics at the Victoria University of Wellington before joining ET Intellectual Property as a patent adviser. His research primarily focussed on the fabrication of field-effect transistors using semiconducting nanowires. Conor is a published author in several scientific journals and has significant experience in a wide variety of experimental research, including nanoelectronics fabrication, thin film deposition techniques, and Raman spectroscopy.
Conor's background in experimental physics allows him to assist with particularly complex mechanical or electronics inventions. He brings a passion for technology into his work at ET Intellectual Property.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal / Auckland
Godfrey specialises in protecting innovations in the information technology (IT) industry.
He has experience with a range of technologies including information technology, electronics and telecommunications.
Godfrey began working in the Intellectual Property area with AJ Park in 2001, during his time with AJ Park he spent two years on secondment at Drew and Napier in Singapore. In Singapore he worked with a number of large clients including Sharp Electronics, Systems on Silicon Manufacturing, Singtel, Starhub and Molex.
Job Titles:
- Adviser
- Adviser / Auckland
Jeffrey is a Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board (TTIPAB) registered trade marks attorney and has years of experience advising on major areas of intellectual property including patents, designs, trade marks, and copyright.
Coming from an engineering background, Jeffrey approaches a client's technology and inventions with an inquisitive flair. Jeffrey's technological expertise covers software as well as electrical, computer, and mechanical systems. More recently, Jeffrey has been focusing on green technology and financial technologies that drive the dynamic Web 3.0 landscape.
Jeffrey understands that commercials goals are at the heart of a business's IP strategy. The value of IP is reflected in the competitive edge it brings to a business and the confidence it instils in investors. Jeffrey's true passion lies in focussing on the broader picture and maximising the commercial value of IP based on a client's unique needs. Delving deeper into the interplay between IP and business strategy, Jeffrey is pursuing a master's degree in business and finance.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Consultant / Wellington
Over the last 30 years, John has worked for major New Zealand and UK patent attorney firms, and has been internationally recognised as one of New Zealand's leading attorneys. John was recognised as an IP Star by Managing Intellectual Property, as a Best Lawyer for intellectual property, and as one of the top advisors in the world for patent strategy in the IAM Strategy 300.
John's specialist field is patents, and he heads the firm's patents team. He has particular expertise in communications technology, electronics, mechanical and software.
John advises a wide range of major international corporations as to protection and enforcement of their IP in New Zealand including in contentious proceedings. John has, for a number of years now, drafted and secured patents internationally for various US based multinationals while based in Wellington.
As well as providing general patent attorney services, John has provided consultancy services to a wide range of New Zealand high net worth individuals and venture capitalists and foreign entities and investors to develop their IP strategies and implement them. This work has involved John advising on the conduct of IP audits and due diligence, and undertaking general peer review work. John is a provider of IP strategy development services under the Callaghan Innovation IP programme.
John is commercially focused and has been successful in assisting companies to commercialise their technology. Clients value John's pragmatic commercial approach.
Job Titles:
- Adviser
- Adviser / Auckland
Jose has recently joined ET Intellectual Property after completing his degree in Mechanical Engineering (Hons) specializing in aerodynamics, 3D printing and design, and is studying towards a qualification as a patent attorney. His honours project involved automating the installation of electrical cables in prefabricated walls and completed as a part of the New Dexterity Research Group of the mechatronics department at the University of Auckland.
Jose is fluent in Spanish and outside of work enjoys game design.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal / Auckland
Rebekah joined Ellis Terry in 2017 having started her trade mark career in one of New Zealand's largest Intellectual Property firms in 2013.
Rebekah works with local and international clients to manage trade mark applications, prosecution and renewals, and to facilitate development of robust trade mark portfolios. Rebekah manages United States trade mark renewals and declarations of use, domain name registrations and renewals, and assists with border protection measures such as customs notices, and monitoring and removing trade mark infringement on online platforms such as YouTube, Taobao and Alibaba.
Rebekah's special interest and experience in video game technology and industry, and knowledge of social media platforms, allow her to provide valuable insight and assistance to the team in these niche areas.
Tracey joined ET in 2017 bringing with her over 20 years of experience working predominantly in patents, designs and plant variety rights in one of New Zealand's largest Intellectual Property firms.
Tracey works with local and international clients to manage patent and design applications, prosecution, and formalities and provides litigation support to the ET attorneys. She is particularly experienced in managing the portfolios of large corporate clients with matters spanning multiple jurisdictions and ensuring compliance with any client-specified procedures.
Wendy joined ET in 2019 having started her patent, design and trade mark career in London, then continuing in several of New Zealand's largest intellectual property firms since 1997.
Wendy works with local and international clients to manage patent and design applications, prosecution and formalities, and provides support to the ET patent attorneys. She is experienced in matters spanning multiple jurisdictions and ensuring compliance with client-specified procedures.
Wendy reviews and responds to correspondence from foreign corporate clients and associates, provides information, advice and cost estimates, files patent and design applications in New Zealand, Australia and PCT, monitors deadlines and prepares and files documents for all stages of prosecution.