About
Our Firm
Since 1979, James & Wells has been at the forefront of innovation in Australasia. We are here to help you grow, leverage and protect your IP.
Our depth of experience ranges from managing large IP portfolios for international corporations, right through to protecting the ideas of start-ups, and everything in between. No matter the size of your organisation, James & Wells are here to be your dedicated Champions of Innovation®.
Supporting Innovative Businesses
We are dedicated to championing our clients and providing them with the highest levels of service.
It goes without saying that we are dedicated to excellence in all that we do, and the success of our clients is our motivation. We pride ourselves on being approachable, responsive, and agile – we will respond to your unique needs in a way that works for you.
As a fully independent firm, we have the flexibility to adapt our services to integrate with what you need, both now and into the future.
Working with us
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Our Values
Easy to work with
We make our client’s lives easy by simplifying the complex. Writing concisely and in plain English, we provide actionable recommendations that align with objectives.
We don’t make clients jump through hoops or struggle to reach us. We’re responsive and prompt.
We work flexibly to meet the individual needs of each client and exceed their expectations, adapting our style to match how they want to work with us.
One team
We invest in strong personal relationships, taking a genuine interest in our clients’ businesses, dreams, and strategies. We work hard to understand their markets, challenges, and opportunities, so we can help them make the right commercial decisions.
We want our clients' experience of working with us to be as good as it can be.
Champions
We are champions of our clients’ businesses, including their innovations, brands, and ideas. We get to know our clients’ business needs and deliver services that are commercially focused, pragmatic, relevant and proactive.
We think outside the box.
Professional excellence
We’re experts at what we do: communicating and providing advice, support, and information.
We are recognised by our peers as leaders in our field.
We have a proud history and offer an experienced team. We also have exceptional support and back-office teams. We are more than just a ‘safe pair of hands’.
Industry Recognition
Employer of Choice 2024
We are pleased to share that James & Wells was named Employer of Choice at the 2024 New Zealand Law Awards.
Intellectual Property Specialist Law Firm of the Year 2022
We are thrilled to announce that James & Wells has been awarded Intellectual Property Specialist Law Firm of the Year at the 2022 New Zealand Law Awards.
5-Star Employer of Choice 2022 - NZ Lawyer
James & Wells is proud to be recognised by NZ Lawyer as a 5-Star Employer of Choice in 2022.
James & Wells finalists for awards in two categories at the 2022 New Zealand Law Awards
We are pleased to announce that James & Wells has been named an excellence awardee for the 2022 New Zealand Law Awards in two categories including Intellectual Property Specialist Law Firm of the Year and Managing Partner of the Year, Tim Walden (<100 Lawyers).
Managing IP Awards 2021 - Asia Pacific
James & Wells has been crowned the best Intellectual Property Firm in New Zealand by Managing IP. This follows on from a Tier 1 ranking for ‘Patent Contentious’ in Managing IP’s Global IP survey and six Associates being recognised in its IP Stars Awards.
Gold - World Trade Mark Review
James & Wells are ranked gold in the World Trade Mark review
Winner - Intellectual Property Specialist Law Firm of the Year
James & Wells won Intellectual Property Specialist Law Firm of the Year at the 2018 New Zealand Law Awards
James & Wells finalists at 2021 NZ Law Awards in multiple categories
James & Wells are delighted to have again been named finalists in three categories in the 2021 New Zealand Law Awards. The categories are Intellectual Property Specialist Law Firm of the Year, Managing Partner of the Year <100 Lawyers, and Employer of Choice <50 Lawyers.
Finalist - Intellectual Property Specialist Law Firm of the Year
James & Wells finalists for Intellectual Property Specialist Law Firm of the Year at the 2019 New Zealand Law Awards
Careers
We know that being average just won’t cut it. We are all about exceptional; exceptional people, exceptional services and exceptional careers. We provide opportunities to build lifelong connections with colleagues and clients – all around the world.
Our people and culture are redefining what it means to be an IP services firm. It’s about creating a workplace where you can be inspired and be inspiring. A workplace where you can grow and feel a sense of belonging and camaraderie. In other words, it’s about putting people first.
How can James & Wells help me?
We are a full-service IP firm – that means you will find everything you need to protect your IP just by working with us. We will help you with patents, trade marks, litigation and IP strategy – our people are externally recognised as some of the best in the business, and they work together to bring you custom-built IP solutions that are tailored exactly to your needs. When you work with James & Wells, you know you’re in a safe pair of hands, with a highly experience team supporting you.
Our Structure
Click here for more on our structure.
We Support
Here's just some of the organisations we support through partnerships, memberships, sponsorships and pro bono work.
Insights & Resources
