Paul Johns headed up AJ Park's litigation and commercial practice group for nearly a decade
Pearce IP has snatched a litigation head and executive lawyer for its New Zealand office from AJ Park.
Paul Johns previously led the litigation and commercial practice group at AJ Park for a total of nine years. The IP dispute resolution expert brings over 24 years of experience gleaned in New Zealand and the UK.
Johns has handled contentious disputes involving patents, copyright, trade marks, designs, confidential information, and consumer law. He also has a background in molecular genetics.
“In October 2023, Pearce IP quietly entered the New Zealand market, hiring a number of lawyers and attorneys. I am absolutely delighted that Paul has joined Pearce IP, and am excited to work with him at an executive level to build out our New Zealand-based legal capacity both in Wellington, Auckland and elsewhere”, said Pearce IP founder and CEO Naomi Pearce. “Paul’s commencement represents a megaphone to the New Zealand IP community that Pearce IP is realising its 2027 Vision to be the premier life sciences IP practice in Australia and New Zealand”.
Johns is the fifth New Zealand-registered/based lawyer to join the firm this year. Last October, Pearce IP also welcomed special counsel Julie Ballance from Baldwins.
