FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4th September 2014
Christchurch IP specialists welcome on board new legal talent
CHRISTCHURCH – September 1, 2014: Intellectual property firm, James & Wells, have announced the appointment of Stephanie Melbourne as a new solicitor in the trade mark team of their
Christchurch office.
Stephanie brings to the role a strong background in marketing, sponsorship and consumer law, advertising law, food law,
the Fair Trading Act and related commercial matters.
With experience on both sides of the Tasman, she has in-house legal experience with Lion Nathan and Carlton & United Breweries.
Educated at Canterbury University, Stephanie’s role will see her handling associated commercial and corporate matters
regarding trade mark, copyright and unfair competition.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Media and Communications), and is a Barrister
and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and the Supreme Court of Victoria.
She is also a committee member of the Canterbury Women’s Legal Association Inc and is the acting Director (External
Relations) New Zealand, for the Brewers Association of Australia & New Zealand.
Stephanie will work alongside the firm’s commercialisation team, which has seen remarkable growth in the past two years.
James & Wells have been based in Christchurch for more than fifteen years and also have offices in Auckland, Hamilton and
Tauranga.
“Canterbury and the South Island in general have been largely ignored by the other large national IP firms, who have had
no significant physical presence in Christchurch in the last 10 years,” says foundation partner, Ceri Wells.
“James & Wells on the other hand, regards the region as being an essential driver of its growth, as there are so many
opportunities in the region where our expertise can lead to greater commercial success for innovative businesses.”
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