Duncan Cotterill has announced the appointment of three new IP Partners and one of Aotearoa’s leading IP consultants.
This expansion makes Duncan Cotterill’s IP team one of the largest in New Zealand, further strengthening the firm’s ability to serve clients with specialist IP expertise as part of their full-service offering.
Katy Stove, Jonathan Aumonier-Ward, and Kieran O’Connell will join as Partners and Damian Broadley as a consultant — each bringing a wealth of experience and track record in intellectual property and trade-mark law.
These additions underscore Duncan Cotterill’s commitment to being the firm of choice for privately owned businesses and high net worth individuals in Aotearoa and corporates based internationally.
Katy Stove, previously Duncan Cotterill’s Head of Trade Marks and Designs, specialises in soft intellectual property. Katy’s track record of delivering for clients and developing the firm’s IP practice and her direct reports made the move to Partner* an obvious next step. Katy said: “I am looking forward to this next chapter for the Duncan Cotterill IP team with Kieran and Jonathan’s decision to come on board, and I’m excited about what we can achieve for our clients.”
Michael Moyes, IP and Technology Partner, highlighted the Duncan Cotterill’s nationwide IP team vision: “Duncan Cotterill has had a highly-ranked full service IP offering for many years, serving clients large and small with local and international work. Appointing Katy, Jonathan, and Kieran to our partnership underscores the importance of this practice to our firm and clients. With senior expertise in our three largest offices we can better serve local businesses, and meet the increasing international demand we are witnessing.”
Jonathan Aumonier-Ward and Kieran O’Connell bring a history of assisting local and overseas clients (particularly law firms and brand owners in the US) with trade-marks in New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, particularly for IP firms and brand owners based in the US.
Damian Broadley has acted for many of the world’s largest companies as well as a who’s who of New Zealand listed, private and government entities. Jonathan, Kieran and Damian’s experience enhances broadens the firm’s service offering and expands its reach into the United States.
Jonathan commented, “It was a difficult decision to leave my previous firm after 23 years, but this is an exciting opportunity to leverage my experience; helping businesses navigate the complexities of IP law. We (Kieran and I) feel Duncan Cotterill is a natural fit for us both. The opportunity to join Duncan Cotterill and take on this new challenge was irresistible.”
“I am very much looking forward to working with the whole Duncan Cotterill team but in particular working with Jonathan and Kieran again” says Damian Broadley. “After many years of working together it feels like we’re getting the band back together. Of course, it helps that they are some of the best trademark lawyers around.”
Katy, Jonathan, Kieran and Damian join existing IP Partners: Michael Moyes and Peter Fernando and ensure senior IP expertise in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
*Katy’s Partner title is pending Law Society approval.
