AJ Park is proud to announce a new consultant and the promotion of several people in our Auckland and Wellington offices.
Colleen Cavanagh has rejoined the Auckland team as a consultant. Colleen was previously a partner of AJ Park for nine years in the 1990s, and returns to AJ Park after many years running a non-contentious trade mark practice of a large New Zealand law firm. With over 30 years' experience helping local and international clients manage their trade mark portfolios, Colleen is known for her high quality approach and advice.
Three senior associates have also been appointed. Fiona MacDonald specialises in advising clients on transactions involving technology, biotechnology and the commercial aspects of intellectual property agreements.
Dr Jon Ashen specialises in patents and related intellectual property law for biotechnology and molecular biology innovations. As a former examiner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand, Jon has a particularly strong knowledge of the international patent system.
Kieran O'Connell works with clients across a range of industries, including biotechnology, fashion, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and finance. He specialises in all aspects of trade marks and related intellectual property law.
The firm has also promoted four others to the position of associate. Catherine Edmonds is internationally qualified and works in our litigation team advising a wide range of clients on contentious intellectual property matters. Helen Bellchambers has a first class honours in law and a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in genetics, and works in our life sciences team advising clients on pharmaceutical and biotechnology patents. Laura Carter, in our litigation team, works on a wide range of contentious trade mark, patent, and copyright issues in New Zealand and Australia. And Dr. Laura Hollingsworth, combining a background in mechanical engineering with a doctorate in bioengineering, specialises in advising clients on protecting their mechanical engineering and manufacturing innovations.
Managing partner Damian Broadley said, 'We are very pleased to announce Colleen's return to AJ Park. She adds considerable experience and expertise to our trade mark practice, and we are looking forward to working with her again.
Congratulations also to Fiona, Jon, Kieran, Catherine, Helen, Laura Carter and Laura Hollingsworth on their promotions. We're proud to formally recognise the effort and contribution of this diverse and talented group of specialists at AJ Park.'
