The firm welcomed a new leader to the helm this year
AJ Park celebrates its 135th anniversary with a new managing director at the helm.
Steve Mitchell was appointed to the IP firm’s leadership last November. He started with AJ Park on 20 January.
“As I step into the role of managing director, our focus remains on being the IP firm of choice for New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands. 135 years is an incredible achievement for a firm originating in New Zealand, and I want the service excellence, the professional capability, and the global reach that we have built to be the platform for further growth and a very long future”, Mitchell said.
Last month, AJ Park was named a Tier-1 firm for IP in the Legal 500 2026 – the only IP specialist to reach this level. The firm was spotlighted for its work in litigation, commercialisation strategies, plant variety rights, trade secrets, domain names and geographical indications, among others. Principal Anton Blijlevens was also ranked as a leading partner in the directory.
The WTR 1000 also listed AJ Park as a “gold” firm in enforcement and litigation and a “silver” firm in prosecution and strategy. Damon Butler and Sean Brogan were recognised as recommended lawyers in transactions.
David Harper (silver), Kate Giddens (bronze) and Sarah Harrison (silver) were recognised in the field of prosecution and strategy; Thomas Huthwaite (gold) was recognised in the field of enforcement and litigation.
