AJ Park ranked number 1 in Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific 2019 rankings

News  \  5 Dec 2018

AJ Park is thrilled to have once again earned a band 1 rating as the top New Zealand firm for intellectual property (IP) in the Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2019 rankings.  

Often referred to as ‘the gold-standard’, Chambers & Partners conducts extensive research on law firms and lawyers in 200 jurisdictions, and is the most robust and well-respected research in the legal profession.

Law firms and individual lawyers are ranked in bands from 1-6, with 1 being the best. The qualities on which rankings are assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, value for money, depth of team, commitment, and other qualities most valued by clients. These factors are judged by interviews with those active in the market (mainly clients and other lawyers with whom they work) and by assessing recent work. Researchers, deputy editors and editors then conduct internal meetings to analyse the research conducted and compile and finalise the ranking tables. A ranking in Chambers is a huge achievement. 

The Asia-Pacific 2019 guide highlights that AJ Park is known for having a superb offering, giving solid advice on patents, trade marks and copyright that covers both advisory and contentious work across a broad range of sectors. One of Chambers’ sources described the AJ Park team as ‘terrific – very responsive and accessible’. Another client asserted that they would ‘always recommend the services of AJ Park’.  

The Chambers Asia-Pacific guide also highlights notable practitioners, and recognised four principals of AJ Park. John Hackett is noted for his long-standing reputation as ‘a big figure in IP’ with one source adding that John ‘knows everyone and is very good at being a rainmaker’. Matt Adams is recommended for his experience handling matters relating to the IT sector, particularly issues relating to the licensing and protection of patents, as well as technology transfer agreements and copyright enforcement. Colleen Cavanagh is acknowledged for having more than 30 years’ experience in trade marks and for regularly assisting clients in the pharmaceutical, financial and retail sectors. Lastly, Kim McLeod is noted for his experience litigating IP disputes at every level of the courts, and for his considerable strength in enforcement matters.